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April 2002
Creating a Culture of Vocations in North America
In April 2002, over 1,100 delegates arrived in Montreal,
Quebec for the Third Continental Congress on Vocations.
Delegates included religious, priests, bishops, parents, vocation
ministers, youth ministers, Serra Club members, and young
adults. Sisters of St. Joseph from the Canadian and American
Federations attended as delegates.
The Continental Congress was held at the invitation of Pope
John Paul II. It was the third such congress, following those
for Latin America (Sao Paulo, Brazil, 1994), and Europe (Rome,
1997).
Delegates were challenged to create a culture of vocations
throughout North America in order to provide an environment
where young adults consider the meaning of vocation in their
lives. Keynote addresses focused on the following topics:
The Theology of Vocation; North American Culture and Its Impact
on the Vocations Climate; The Gifts and Challenges of Cultural
Diversity; Today’s Young Adults: How are They a Future
Full of Hope?; and Vocations for the Mission of the Church.
The text of the major addresses of the Congress can be viewed
at the official Congress
website.
Research has identified three significant times in the lives
of young people when they are preoccupied with vocation choices.
At age 11, at Grade 11 and second-year post secondary, young
people ask: What would I like to be when I grow up? What contribution
would I like to make to the world around me? Federation Vocation
directors meet with young people close to these times by going
into elementary schools, high schools and university and colleges
and inviting young people to consider a religious vocation
as one of their life choices. For more information on programs
offered to young people contact the vocation
directors.
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