On Friday, March 7, 2025, under the coordination of the Vocations Office of the Latin Patriarchate, youth from Bethlehem gathered to participate in the Vocations Meeting under the theme "Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me." The event took place at the Latin Church of Beit Sahour and focused on the meaning of vocation in the life of a faithful.
The gathering began with the Way of the Cross prayer alongside the parish, drawing strength from Christ’s Passion to face life’s challenges and deepen their understanding of their Christian mission.
Following the prayer and introductions, participants engaged in a reflection on Gospel passages related to vocation, particularly the calling of the first disciples and their faithful response to Christ’s invitation. Through these passages, they explored the significance of "carrying the cross" as an inseparable part of their vocational journey.
A highlight of the meeting was the sharing of personal testimonies by seminarian Malek Hijazin and Sister Terez Daniel, who recounted their experiences in responding to God’s call and embracing a life of consecration. Malek shared the challenges he faced in answering his vocation, while Sister Terez spoke of her journey in religious life, emphasizing the deep joy that comes from living according to God's will.
The gathering concluded with a presentation on vocations by Fr. Abdullah Dababneh, the director of priestly vocations, who shed light on ways to discern God’s call in daily life and the importance of listening attentively to the voice of the Holy Spirit. After engaging discussions, the participants were warmly hosted in a spirit of fraternity and fellowship, reinforcing their sense of belonging and shared faith journey.
This gathering served as an open invitation to every young man and woman to reflect on their personal calling and respond with courage and trust to Christ’s words: "Come, follow me."
