Working to grow the Church’s Deepest Vocation

Pope Paul VI said, “Evangelizing is in fact the grace and vocation proper to the Church. She exists in order to evangelize…to preach and teach…” Franciscan University graciously lived those words during their recent annual vocations fest event. The school opened their doors on October 9 for the event held in Steubenville, Ohio to a sizeable crowd of religious, students, and welcomed guests; all of whom gathered in fellowship and love of our Faith and our Church.  The University brought together 55 religious institutes that provided participants with the opportunity of discovering many religious charisms in our Faith, and an opportunity to accompany discerners who have heard God’s call in their lives.  Since many of the students at the university are double majors with either theology or catechetics, they are often interested in religious life or to serve as lay missioner.  Thus having events like this help to offer many of the students an opportunity to work towards their future endeavors and discernment.

 

Br. Josh Sciullo and Fr. Jim Berning invited participants to discover more about the charisms of Don Bosco at the Salesian booth through interactive games and engaging conversation.  The day concluded with a joyful celebration of the liturgy and a large group lunch. The sentiment that was most shared  and discussed by everyone in attendance was a sense of purpose. Whether you were an exhibitor, a participant, or an organizer it was very clear to see that we had all gathered there that day for the extreme importance of working together to grow our Church. God said that “where two or more are gathered in my name, I am there”, but gather we must!