Dave MacDonald

Pope Leo XIV to the bishops, priests and religious of Uruguay, on how to re-evangelise the once Catholic, now secular country, encouraging days of prayer and fasting for an increase in vocations to the priesthood: “Dear brothers and sisters, one of the secrets of evangelisation is to resemble the one whom we proclaim. In this land, where many of our contemporaries barely know Jesus Christ, and so many young people have grown up far from the life of the church, that witness has a special power. The way we look at others, the way we listen or the way we reach out to those who suffer, prompt them to ask about the origins of that love. When we speak to them of Jesus, may they discover the very Lord whose goodness they have begun to experience through us despite our poverty. That desire for others to come to know and follow Jesus has also been expressed in prayer for vocations. When the interdiocesan seminary received no new candidates in 2024, many of the faithful began to come together for days of prayer and fasting to ask the Lord to send workers into his harvest. Since then, they have persevered in their efforts to order in order that others might hear his call. Today, we give thanks because several young people, who are seated among us, have begun their journey in the seminary and in consecrated life. What a joy it is to know that generous responses to Christ's love continue to come forward. I offer heartfold things to those who have supported this initiative and I encourage them to persevere. See, in these fruits, the proof that God hears the prayers of His people. I hope that this experience in Uruguay will echo throughout the entire Church. I invite my brother bishops throughout the world to promote days of prayer and fasting in their dioceses for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and to consecrated life. May parishes, families and religious communities unite in this prayer. May the example of this land inspire many others to pray with the same confidence.”