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Capuchin Friary, St. Liberata Str., Kalkara CSP 1618 Malta |
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(00365)21800612 (00365)21825724 |
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E-mail: emmaus@waldonet.net.mt |
Vocational Ministry in the Third Millennium
At the dawn of the new millennium, following John Paul II’s call in Novo Millenio Ineunte to launch out into the deep, the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, has issued the instruction Starting Afresh from Christ: A Renewed Commitment to Consecrated Life in the Third Millennium. There, it insists that service to vocations is one of the most demanding challenges which consecrated life must face today (16). Well, we have decided to take that challenge! The same instruction insists that vocational ministry requires the development of new and deeper means of encounter; of offering a living witness of the characteristics of the following of Christ and of holiness, of presenting ways which strongly and clearly announce the freedom which springs from a life of poverty whose only treasure is the kingdom of God, the depths of love of a chaste existence which seeks only one heart, that of Christ, and the strength for sanctification and renewal contained in an obedient life whose only goal is to carry out the will of God for the salvation of the world (17). In this light we are launching a vocational discernment group which is based on the experience of the disciples of Emmaus. Indeed, the group is called EMMAUS. Although EMMAUS forms part of the Franciscan Capuchin Vocational Centre in Malta, its aim transcends the Franciscan Capuchin vocation. It is aimed at youths who are 16+ who want to make a vocational discernment… not to become Capuchins but to discover God’s will for them.
Dialogue (Lk 24:13-16)
The Emmaus disciples started their journey in dialogue, talking and discussing all that they went through. In the midst of all this, “Jesus himself came near and went with them” (Lk 24:15). A vocational discernment is much the same. It is a dialogue… one which takes place with other disciples. This dialogue is transformed into a prayer the moment that Jesus becomes present in it. In this light, EMMAUS meets every Friday at 7.30 p.m. at the Capuchin Friary of Kalkara. We meet together to share our experiences in the vocational discernment and to pray together. Be on time!
Lectio Divina (Lk 24:17-27)
As the disciples continue their journey, Jesus interprets the events they went through in the light of the Word of God. In EMMAUS the monthly lectio divina is a moment where one can understand his experience of being called, or searching God’s will, in the light of the Word of God. Bring the Bible with you!
Solidarity Weekends (Lk 24:28-29)
Seeing that it was evening and the day was nearly over, the two disciples asked urged Jesus to remain with them. Up to that moment, Jesus was only a stranger to them. It was that act of solidarity that turned that stranger into a familiar person. Solidarity can be a moment of revelation in discerning a vocation. Nowadays, many youths have discovered their vocation in voluntary missionary work. In this perspective, EMMAUS organizes a solidarity weekend every 2 months during which one will come into contact with the poor. Friday following will be a theological reflection on the weekend. Book early - limited numbers!
Eucharistic Fellowship (Lk 24:30-31)
As the disciples invited the stranger for table fellowship it turned into a moment of revelation. A simple meal was transformed into a Eucharist through they discovered Jesus. In EMMAUS, we too can have this special encounter in the monthly celebration of the Eucharist and Eucharistic Adoration. Besides, every EMMAUS meeting includes moments of fellowship which we equally consider important as the moments of prayer.
The Sign (Lk 24:32)
Many youths making a vocational discernment always ask for a sign from heaven to confirm the vocation. The two disciples teach us to give importance to the interior sign which the Holy Spirit gives us: “Where not our hearts burning within us”. At EMMAUS we shall be giving particular attention to the movement of the Spirit within us. It is interesting to note that the disciples recognized this when Jesus disappeared from them because He was in them through the Eucharist. He was closer to them. Beware! If you feel Jesus far away He is closer than you think… He is about top do something! Be silent… and recognize God’s voice from within!
A Point of Departure (Lk 24:33-35)
The two disciples left Emmaus and went to announce to Good News of Christ resurrection to the Church. Much same for us! EMMAUS is not a point of arrival but of departure. EMMAUS is not intended to be a group in which one stays but once one discerns his vocation in the Church its time leave! Go… where the Lord wants you to be!
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