Pope calls for vocations, saying the world needs God.

(February 01, 2011) The world needs God and requires an increasing number of people, to respond generously to His call and spend a lifetime in the cause of the Gospel. This was the message of Pope Benedict XVI to the Second Latin American Congress on Vocations presently in session in Cartagena, Costa Rica. The Pope told Bishops, priests, religious and lay people attending the week-long Congress which concludes on Saturday that the Church in the depths of its being has a vocational dimension.
Stating that the Second Vatican Council also said that the whole Christian community has a duty of fostering vocations, the Pope’s message urged that vocational work be fully inserted in all pastoral areas. The Pope said experience shows that where there is good planning, vocations are not lacking. The Papal message urged them to always keep in mind the primacy of spiritual life, as the foundation of all pastoral planning. He stressed on the need to provide the younger generation the opportunity to open their hearts to Christ, who alone can give meaning and fulfilment to their lives. The Pope noted that today, as always, young people are sensitive to Christ’s call inviting them to follow Him. The world needs God, and therefore, people will always need to live His message and proclaim it to others, said the Pope . Stating that “Concern for vocations occupies a special place in his heart and prayers, the Pope urged them to devote all their strengths and talents to this exciting and urgent task that the Lord will reward handsomely”.