I am Mission: called to embrace the joy of vocation

Sep 22, 2023

By Clementine Vikneswari
The “I Am Mission” vocation talk was recently held at the Church of St Peter. It echoed Pope Francis’ message for vocations in the 2023 World Day of Prayer.

Fr Adrian Francis, head of vocations for the Diocese of Malacca Johore, together with the St Peter’s Youth (SPY), Melaka, organised the talk.

This vocation talk was attended by 33 participants, consisting of both boys and girls. When asked why girls were allowed to join the talk, Fr Adrian replied that girls could play a role in guiding the boys when they are discerning their vocation call to the diocesan priesthood. Girls too could benefit from understanding the characteristics of being called to answer the vocation that God calls them to.

The talk began with an ice-breaking game, followed by Praise & Worship by SPY before Fr Adrian took over by showing the video clip titled Fishers of Men by USCCB Secretariat for vocations and priestly formation as the basis of his talk. Drawing inspiration from the video, which featured a young man’s call to the priestly vocation after witnessing a priest anointing the victim of an accident.

Fr Adrian also shared his experience, when he realised that his call to the priesthood took precedence over all the fears and anxieties he had. He also listed out a few guidelines as to how to discern if they were being called to the priesthood or any other vocation. He outlined what the young men could expect when they chose to join the priesthood, as well as the trials and temptations that would follow, regardless of the vocation the young people are called to. He also gave them advice on how to overcome these trials by having a constant prayer life.

He said that there has been a decline in the number of young men joining the priesthood and he hoped that through this talk, the participants would be able to help by praying for more vocations.

Fr Adrian ended the talk with a Q&A session before celebrating the 1.00pm Mass with the participants and parishioners who were gathered there. The talk ended at 2.00pm with fellowship. — By Wilson Savage