WASHINGTON—The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will host its first-ever Vocation Fair at a World Youth Day (WYD) on Wednesday, August 17. The Vocations Fair will be held at St. Francis Borgia Parish (Parroquia San Francisco de Borja) located just across the street from the U.S. Embassy in Madrid. The fair is co-sponsored by the USCCB Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations (CCLV) and the Secretariat for Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth.
“This is a tremendous opportunity to invite our youth to open their hearts to Christ and respond to his call to the priesthood and the consecrated life,” said Archbishop Robert Carlson of St. Louis, Missouri, chairman of the CCLV Committee. Recent surveys of the newly ordained and those making their final religious profession indicate that at least 20 percent of them participated in a World Youth Day at one time or another. “We are very grateful to the pastor, Father José Antonio Vitón, and to the Jesuit community and parishioners at St. Francis Borgia for allowing us to hold the Vocations Fair at their home,” he added.
The fair will open with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Evening Prayer, led by Cardinal Seán O’Malley of Boston, and will continue in the auditorium with featured speakers, opportunities for the youth to interact with bishops and other activities.
Speakers will include Father Robert Barron, founder of the global ministry Word on Fire, and Professor of Faith and Culture at University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Illinois, and Father Joseph O’Connor, vocations director for the Diocese of Syracuse, New York. Noted Christian singer Danielle Rose will provide a witness talk regarding discerning religious life. Religious sisters and brothers from different communities and seminarians also will offer personal testimonies and put on a game show involving a “Vocations Lingo.” There will be social time with bishops, including an ice cream social at 8:30 p.m. Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana, will close the event with Night Prayer and Benediction. A separate chapel will be available during the fair for groups and individuals to pray before the Blessed Sacrament.
World Library Publications and Oregon Catholic Press will provide music for the event, and Salt and Light Television of Canada will film portions of the fair.
A profile of WYD pilgrims facilitated by the Madrid 2011 media office is attached.
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