Bishop Davies dedicates 2015 as a ‘Year of Vocations’ in the Diocese of Shrewsbury

Bishop Mark Davies has dedicated 2015 to be a “Year of Vocations” in the Diocese of Shrewsbury.
The theme of the Catholic Church’s new year, which began with the First Sunday of Advent, was announced in a pastoral letter “on the universal call to holiness” read at Mass in every church and chapel of the Diocese on Sunday November 30.
The year complements the “Year of Consecrated Life” opened by Pope Francis but it is also aimed at encouraging lay Catholics to better understand their own vocations, especially the vocation to marriage.
The year will also see the opening of a centre in Shrewsbury Cathedral for the discernment of vocations for men who are considering the priesthood or consecrated life.

In his letter, the Bishop of Shrewsbury reminded the faithful that all of the baptised have a vocation to be saints, and that for most people this road to perfection would involve carrying out daily activities with charity – such as parents spending time with their children and listening patiently to them – supported by prayer and the sacraments.
“In the Church, no one has a second-class vocation,” Bishop Davies said. “Every one of us is, by baptism, called to become nothing less than a saint.”
“Being comfortable or popular is not the goal of the Christian life – holiness is,” the Bishop said.
“This call to holiness lay at the heart of the Second Vatican Council’s call for renewal in the Church.”
The Bishop extensively quotes Pope Francis who, he says, wants “to remind us that at home or in work or at church; in marriage or in the priesthood; in every moment and in every state of life, ‘a door is opened on the road to sainthood’”.”
“Our path to holiness is to be found, then, amidst the apparently little things of every day,” Bishop Davies continued.
“Pope Francis gives us some very practical examples: avoiding malicious gossip in a conversation is a definite step, he said, towards becoming a saint.
“Exhausted after a hard day’s work but being willing to sit with your children and listen patiently to them, this too is a step towards holiness.
“Making time for prayer each day even when we are tired: this is a sure step towards holiness.  Being ready for Mass on Sunday, and at times making a good Confession, which Pope Francis says, ‘cleans us up’, are vital steps towards holiness.
“He adds that thinking of Our Lady and taking up the Rosary to pray, this is yet another step towards holiness.  Meeting someone in need, making time and being willing to help, are real steps towards becoming the saint we are called to be.
“In other words, the call to holiness is not found up in the clouds or in our dreams.  The call to become a saint is right in front of us every day.”