Vocations Office for the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem 

Introduction 

The Vocations Office is dedicated to fostering priestly vocations within the diocese. It offers support to individuals discerning their vocation, oversees those seeking to enter the seminary, and works closely with the rector and seminary staff to prepare candidates for seminary life. The office is managed by the diocesan vocations officer(s). 

Although the main offices are located in the Patriarchal Vicariate in Amman and the Patriarchal Seminary in Beit Jala, the Office’s activities span across the entire diocese of Jerusalem.  The office primarily engages in outreach by visiting parishes, schools, and parish events to raise awareness about the concept of vocations for young people. 

The mission of the office is to help men discern whether God is calling them to pursue holiness through priesthood life and to collaborate with other religious orders to foster a deeper understanding of vocation across all communities. 

Framework

The work of the Vocations Office can be summarized in three main areas: 

1. Awareness-Raising: This involves encouraging individuals of all ages to listen to God's call on their lives and promoting this concept through youth pastoral activities, schools, and among parents, who play a key role in supporting vocations. This is achieved through: 

• Organizing events such as vocation meetings and vocation-discerning camps. 

• Participating in parish liturgies to highlight the concept of a vocation. 

• Engaging with youth movements (e.g., General Secretariat for Youth, General Authority for Scouts). 

• Speaking in meetings of various pastoral groups, both youth and non-youth, to foster general awareness among youth, parents, and the wider faith community. 

• Conducting awareness-raising school visits and being a part of the Christian education classes. 

• Promoting an understanding of vocations through social media platforms. 

• Collaborating with school administrators, catechists, and religious educators to help identify vocations among young people early on. 

2. Counseling: Supporting the personal discernment process of those seeking to understand their vocation. This includes offering spiritual guidance and counseling to individuals considering the priesthood or religious life, providing follow-up and assessment for seminary candidates, and organizing spiritual retreats and discernment programs with specialists to deepen individuals' understanding of their calling. 

3. Collaborative: Since the vocations office cannot reach every part of the diocese simultaneously, diocesan offices and movements play a crucial role in this effort. They are instrumental in addressing the needs of the diocese and supporting the work of the vocations office. 

With Parish Priests: 

• Parish priests play a major role in the discernment of vocations (cf. can. 233 §1). Their responsibility extends beyond merely approving candidates for the vocations program; they are key in identifying and guiding individuals toward their vocation. 

• For school students, parish priests are responsible for nurturing, discerning, and supporting the development of the student’s vocation, ensuring they are ready to join the vocations program when the time comes.  

• Additionally, parish priests are tasked with encouraging prayers for priestly vocations, celebrating Masses on special occasions for this intention, and organizing Eucharistic Adorations in parishes at designated times. 

With Youth Movements:

• Involve the Vocations Office in youth events and celebrations, such as the Feast of Jesus the King, summer camps, and trainings. 

• Coordinate meetings and events focused on vocation discernment by collaborating with the spiritual chaplains of the youth movement. 

• Collaborate with youth movement chaplains to participate in their activities and dedicate time to discuss vocations or simply be present at these events. 

With the Seminary:

• Maintain a channel of communication with the seminary rector and staff to ensure any challenges or issues faced by candidates are addressed promptly. 

• Work closely with the seminary in evaluating candidates before their acceptance to ensure they are spiritually, academically, and psychologically prepared for priestly formation. 

• Organize joint events and activities with the seminary, recognizing its vital role in promoting priestly vocations. 

The Vocations Office Logo

This logo draws inspiration from the calling of the first disciples along the shores of the Sea of Galilee. When Jesus called his disciples, he tasked them with becoming "fishers of men," meaning their primary role after being called was to invite others to follow Christ. This verse was chosen as the slogan for the office because it reflects the office’s mission of guiding, supporting, and walking with those discerning vocations, while also educating the faithful on the importance of responding to God’s call. 

The Rope Border

The outer border is designed in the shape of a rope, reflecting nautical imagery. The rope symbolizes the spiritual connection between God and believers. It also represents unity and strength, bringing together both laypeople and clergy to work toward fostering vocations. 

The Two Fish

Fish carry deep significance in Christian symbolism, often representing Christ. In early Christianity, the fish symbolized faith in Christ and was used as a sacramental emblem. In the logo, the two fish represent Christ’s followers, referring to his call to his disciples to be “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). 

The Anchor Intertwined with the Patriarchal Cross

In Christian tradition, the anchor symbolizes steadfast hope in God. It represents spiritual stability during challenges (Hebrews 6:19), portraying hope in Christ as an anchor that keeps believers grounded, especially during times of adversity. The overlap with the Patriarchal Cross signifies the Church’s faith in the continuous vocations that the Lord renews to His Mother Church. 

Maritime Elements:

The background features three maritime elements: 

• The Sea symbolizes the world, full of turmoil and uncertainty.
• The Ship represents the Church, sailing through the world and offering the faithful a place of shelter amid trials and tribulations.
• The Net represents the call to evangelize and bring people into the Kingdom of God. It also symbolizes the role of the Vocations Office in drawing new vocations to serve the Lord.