Religious beckon to WYD pilgrims

Communities use marketing tools to attract vocations

By RENATO GANDIA
WCR Staff Writer
Toronto

They are not difficult to find because they are everywhere. But if one wanted to see them in a cluster, Exhibition Place Hall B, the site of the vocation display, is the place to be.

Different congregations and orders like the Franciscans, Redemptorists, Marist Fathers, Companions of the Cross, Grey Nun Sisters, Notre Dame Sisters among others with some lay communities like the Madonna House Apostolate, have booths featuring information about their communities.

They are giving away banners, pens, pins, postcards, stationary, and even free videos to promote their congregations, orders and communities.

There is a steady flow of pilgrims, browsing through the displays in every booth, talking to religious and sometimes sharing laughter.

Religious from different groups are delighted to exchange information and experiences. Although they belong to different congregations and are from different countries, the WYD vocations gallery brings them together.

Redemptorist Fathers David Louch and Remi Hebert see it as a good occasion to promote awareness about the consecrated life and priestly life.

"There is a reason for this seeming drought in vocations, but we have to listen to what God is telling us." - Sr. Evelyn Pinsonneault

"I think just the whole idea of World Youth Day, enlivening people's faith and convictions about Jesus and about the Church, will have an overflow in terms of people desiring to live and serve the Church," Louch, originally from Edmonton, told the WCR.

Louch, formation director of the Redemptorists in Toronto, emphasized, "Our focus is on preaching the word and evangelization, especially to the poor and those that are in great need."

He is convinced young people today are interested with helping the poor and the underprivileged.

Like others, Louch thinks the secularization in Europe and North America has had a profound effect on the decline in number of vocations.

"Along with that is the whole mistrust of institutions, including the Church," he added.

Nevertheless, he is hopeful that WYD will help his congregation attract more vocations to the religious life.

Edmonton-based Hebert agreed with Louch and added, "One of the main things is in the world nothing is permanent. Everything is temporary. And young people are hesitant to make a commitment that they see as permanent."

Grey Nun Sister Evelyn Pinsonneault from Quebec is busy inviting people to try her hollow-faced mannequin for a photo.

They built an image of a Grey Nun sister so people can come behind the mannequin and stick their head behind the hollow face for a photo.

Having been a teacher and a sister for a many years, Pinsonneault is retired. She now ministers to the sick and dying, particularly people with AIDS.

She says there has been a decline in the number of vocations for several reasons, but she believes God is the one who calls. "There is a reason for this seeming drought in vocations, but we have to listen to what God is telling us."

"We, the religious, have to set examples for those whom God is calling."

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