Toward Developing a Vocations Culture
in the Diocese of San Diego
- Prayer for vocations as the primary component of a
vocations culture should be fostered among families and in parishes.
- Bishops and priests should accept their responsibility to promote
vocations by greater visibility among young people, by witnessing to their
vocation and "sharing their story," by demonstrating enthusiasm
and joy, by manifesting human and holy qualities, and by explicitly
inviting young men to pursue the possibility of a vocation to the
priesthood.
- Parents and families should be helped to accept their responsibility in
cultivating and promoting vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
- Young people should
be assisted to embrace values and a life-style according to the teaching
of the Gospel and the example of Jesus, resisting, thereby, a secular
approach to life which is marked by materialism, individualism, hedonism,
freedom without boundaries, lack of commitment, careerism, and a
preference for success over fidelity and for choice over responsibility.
- Religious educators should incorporate vocations awareness at every level
of Christian formation, especially during preparation for celebrating the
sacraments.
- Vocations to the priesthood and religious life should
be promoted by all the cultural communities in the diocese, including their various organizations,
movements and associations.
- Negative images of the Church
and of priestly and religious life should be corrected with positive
information, making use of contemporary media.