The World Day of Prayer for Vocations (Vocations Sunday) is on 21 April. It is a global day of prayer for vocations to the priesthood and Religious life.
The Holy Father has released his message for Vocations Sunday in which he focuses on the theme: ‘Called to sow seeds of hope and to build peace’.
Pope Francis invites everyone to:
‘…reflect on the precious gift of the Lord’s call to each of us, as members of his faithful pilgrim people, to participate in his loving plan and to embody the beauty of the Gospel in different states of life.’
As the Pope’s charity for world mission, the worldwide Missio network helps train over 25,000 future Priests and 11,000 Religious Sisters every year. Seminarians are supported both through donations, and through our Seminarian Sponsorship Programme.
Bishop Vincent Mwakhwawa, former National Director of Missio in Malawi, shares below how precious and important his Missio Sponsorship became, and the immense difference Missio made to him and so many others:
From the beginning
Bishop Vincent explains:
‘Missio supports health services all over poor countries like Malawi; hospitals and clinics… all the services. I was not born at the mission hospital, but we received childcare services from there when I was very young, and then as I grew up, we got all the medical support and services from there.
‘My primary school was funded by Missio. Many of the crucial people in Malawi were supported by schools run by the Church. The incumbent president of the country and the vice-president came through secondary schools run by the Catholic Church, supported by Missio. My birth, my primary education and secondary education were all made possible by Missio. Of course, I never understood how things work; it was only when I was appointed to be a Missio National Director that I realised!’
Find out how you can help train a future Priest or Sister, through donations or sponsorship here>>
A vocation fulfilled
When Vincent was studying at St Peter’s Major Seminary to become a Priest in Malawi, Teresa Gleeson from Bury St Edmunds began sponsoring him. Missio’s Sponsorship Programme pairs trainee Priests overseas to people in England and Wales who support them both financially and spiritually.
Sponsors have the option to correspond with their seminarian through the Missio office and the Rector of the student’s seminary. While some people prefer not to, others feel that correspondence is an essential part of being a sponsor: exchanging letters, news of their parish, and photographs throughout the student’s years of training.
‘Teresa was my (spiritual) mother. Of course, we never met in person, but she shared her faith through her letters, her prayers, and her financial support. She used to write faith-filled letters encouraging me, telling me what she was doing as a faithful Catholic, and praying for me.’
Could you help nurture the faith of a future Priest? Click here to find out how>>
A friend in Christ
The difference Teresa’s help made is clear. Bishop Vincent laughs:
‘Teresa Gleeson’s prayers were answered. She produced me! She offered prayers for me, and here I am: I’m a Priest. I’m the living example; the response to Jesus Christ and the Blessed Sacrament.
‘I was trained through Missio, and by God’s grace, I became the Missio Director in Malawi. So today, I am giving the ripple effect of what Teresa did for me. I teach people about the importance of sponsoring and praying for seminarians and praying for young people that they become Priests.’
A vital act of love
Bishop Vincent is clear how important sponsorship is to the Church’s mission of igniting God’s love throughout the world.
‘You have to continue this [sponsoring]. Because after me, Priests are to come in perpetuity… we need Priests in those years to come. Teresa died in 2019, but she continues to live on through me, and through my programme of animation and teaching in Malawi. She will continue to live forever, because what I’m teaching today, others will continue.’
Building the Church of tomorrow – today
‘I see today there are young people in the seminary whom I animate and encourage through Mission Together (Missio’s children’s branch) in Malawi. I know for sure there will be Priests. And I know among some of my family, my nephews and nieces, there will be a Priest; there will be a Sister! It’s not me of course; it’s Jesus, who works through me.
‘Missio is all about bringing good to humanity across the whole world, especially in the places that are more in need, like the young churches, the poor churches – Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, India, and many other parts of the world.
‘I know the good Teresa has done for me and for the whole Church through Missio. And I am certain that she must be in a better place in heaven, with Jesus and Mother Mary and the Saints.’
Help us build a vibrant future Church
Vocations Sunday is the perfect time to think about supporting future Priests and Sisters. And Bishop Vincent is living proof that your help can make all the difference!
- Find out how you can help train a future Priest or Sister, through donations or sponsorship here>>
- Sunday 21 April is Vocations Sunday. Join us and Bishop Vincent to pray this special Prayer for Vocations>>