On the occasion of the 62nd World Day of Prayer for Vocations, the Augustinian Recollect Fr. Fabian Martin, reflects on the message of Pope Francis entitled “Pilgrims of Hope: The Gift of Life”, signed in Rome, at the Polyclinic “A. Gemelli”, on March 19, 2025 . Gemelli” Polyclinic in Rome on March 19, 2025. From this text, he invites us to discover vocation as a gift that transforms, gives meaning to existence and makes us witnesses of hope. In addition, the official materials are already available to live with intensity the Vocation Week 2025.
“Vocation is a precious gift that God sows in the heart of each person”, says Friar Fabian in his reflection inspired by the message of Pope Francis for this year’s World Day of Prayer for Vocations.Fabian says in his reflection inspired by the message of Pope Francis for this year’s World Day of Prayer for Vocations. In a world wounded by fear, loneliness and uncertainty, the Pope invites all believers to recognize themselves as pilgrims of hope, called to make their lives a witness of gratuitousness and self-giving.
This message takes on a special value within the framework of the Jubilee 2025whose motto is precisely “Pilgrims of Hope”. Vocation, whether to the priesthood, consecrated life, marriage or lay dedication, appears as a path to fulfillment in the midst of a society thirsty for meaning.
“Life is a vocation. We have been created by God, who loves us and calls us,” the Pope reminds us in his message.
World Day of Prayer for Vocations: a Living Tradition in the Church
Every year on the fourth Sunday of Easter or Good Shepherd Sunday, the World Day of Prayer for Vocations is celebrated. This initiative was begun by Pope Paul VI in 1963, and successive popes have continued to animate this day each year with a message. And there is no doubt that each message represents an exercise in discernment about what the Holy Spirit is stirring up in the Church with regard to vocation promotion.
In this year of the Jubilee of Hope, Pope Francis said in his Message that it is proper for pilgrims of hope to give their lives generously. The cornerstone of the Christian vocation is this: life is a gift to be given to others in service, so that it can be lived with joy and hope. Whenever the human being closes in on himself and reserves the gift of self to please his selfishness, sadness and despair appear.
Vocations in crisis: challenges of today’s world
The Pope is very realistic in his Message with regard to the difficulties that exist for new vocations to arise in the Church: “Many young people feel lost for the future. They often experience uncertainty about their future employment and, more profoundly, a crisis of identity, which is also a crisis of meaning and values, and which the confusion of the digital world makes even more difficult to navigate. Injustices against the weakest and the poorest, the indifference of a selfish welfare and the violence of war threaten the dreams of a good life that young people nurture in their hearts. “.
A hope born of God’s love
And to realize this hope, the Pope calls upon the adult members of the Church, especially pastors; he asks them to “welcome, discern and 
accompany the vocational journey of the new generations“. But he also tells young people that they “are called to be the protagonists of their vocation or, better still, co-protagonists together with the Holy Spirit, who awakens in them the desire to make their lives a gift of love“.
Pastors and young people: co-responsible in the vocational journey
And to realize this hope, the Pope calls upon the adult members of the Church, especially pastors; he asks them to “welcome, discern and accompany the vocational journey of the new generations”. But he also tells young people that they “are called to be the protagonists of their vocation or, better still, co-protagonists together with the Holy Spirit, who awakens in them the desire to make their lives a gift of love”.
“to welcome, discern and accompany the vocational journey of the new generations”.
In order to embrace their own vocational journey, Francis reminds young people that life in youth is not an interim, but that “they are God’s now”. For this reason, he invites them to become aware that the gift of life demands a generous and faithful response. And to convince them of this reality, he places before their eyes several young saints and blessed who responded to the Lord’s call: St. Rose of Lima, St. Dominic Savio, St. Teresa of the Child Jesus, St. Gabriel della Dolorosa, Blessed Charles Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati, and so on. Here is the Pope’s appeal: “the world needs young people who are pilgrims of hope, courageous in dedicating their lives to Christ and filled with the joy of being his disciples-missionaries”.
The value of silence in discerning a vocation
To discern one’s own vocational path, the Pope warns young people: “the world pushes you to make hasty decisions, to fill your days with noise, preventing you from experiencing a silence open to God, who speaks to the heart. Therefore, have the courage to stop, to listen within yourselves and to ask God what he dreams for you. Silence in prayer is indispensable for “reading” God’s call in one’s own history and responding freely and consciously. “. And she encourages them to open their hearts to the needs of others: ” Those who listen to God cannot ignore the cry of so many brothers and sisters who feel excluded, wounded or abandoned. Every vocation opens us to the mission of being Christ’s presence where light and consolation are most needed”.
Accompanying with hope: the mission of vocational pastoral agents
Finally, in order to accompany the vocational journey, Francis addresses the pastoral agents of vocations in these terms: “should not be afraid to accompany young people with the hopeful and patient trust of divine pedagogy. It is a matter of being for them persons of listening and respectful welcome in whom they can trust, wise guides ready to help them and to recognize the signs of God in their journey. “. And, for this reason, he exhorts them “to promote the care of the Christian vocation in the various areas of life and human activity, encouraging the spiritual openness of each person to the voice of God”.
Witnesses of hope: vocations that proclaim joy
Pope Francis concludes his Message by insisting that the world needs a witness of hope: “The world needs a witness of hope.the world, often without knowing it, is looking for witnesses of hope, who proclaim with their lives that following Christ is a source of joy. Therefore, let us not tire of asking the Lord for new workers for his harvest, in the certainty that he continues to call with love. Dear young people, I entrust your journey of following the Lord to the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church and of vocations; always walk as pilgrims of hope along the way of the Gospel! “.
– Pastoral guide with dynamics and celebrations
– Worksheets for working with children, adolescents and young adults
– Vocational prayers and inspirational texts
– Posters, postcards and graphic resources for social networks
You can download all the materials here.
Fabian concludes his reflection with a clear message: “Vocation is not a burden, but a response of love. It is the way to live with meaning, to build the Church and to transform the world”. The invitation is made: let the seed of vocation germinate in our hearts and become a living hope for others.