August 2014
To Discover and Live One’s Vocation and Mission1
The fundamental objective of the formation of the lay faithful is an ever-clearer discovery
of one’s vocation and the ever-greater willingness to live it out, so as to fulfill one’s
mission.
God calls me and sends me forth as a laborer in his vineyard. He calls me and sends me
forth to work for the coming of his Kingdom in history. This personal vocation and
mission defines the dignity and the responsibility of each member of the lay faithful and
makes up the focal point of the whole work of formation, whose purpose is the joyous
and grateful recognition of this dignity and the faithful and generous living-out of this
responsibility.
In fact, from eternity God has thought of us and has loved us as unique individuals.
Every one of us he called by name, as the Good Shepherd “calls his sheep by name” (Jn.
10:13). However, only in the unfolding of the history of our lives and its events is the
eternal plan of God revealed to each of us. Therefore, it is a gradual process; in a certain
sense, one that happens day by day.
To hear more, come to the School of Leaders in August.