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Message from the Provincial
My name is Fr Joachim Rego and I was recently elected by my brothers to serve them in the role as Provincial, i.e. to lead the Passionists of the Holy Spirit Province consisting of Passionist communities and minsitries in Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. I mention this because I see it very much as another “call” from God, as Blessed Teresa of Calcutta used to say: “a call within a Call”.
Vocation, as a life choice, is ‘call’ – God’s call, and, of course, requires a sense of attentive listening in order to discern the movement of God’s Spirit. This means that we must make time in quiet and silence to hear and sift through the many voices and promptings within oneself, trying as best as possible to discern what is “of God”. In this process of discernment it is always helpful to find a faithful listening guide (spiritual director) with whom one can share the movements within oneself.
It is true that in the process of discerning a vocation – a life choice, one does not know for certain, especially if one feels ‘a call’ to the priesthood or religious life. There will always be some wrestling with God in prayer and with oneself. However, in the end, one has to trust where the attraction is strongest and, aided by dialogue in prayer and assistance from others, follow what may be your call in life. As we say in Australia: “Give it a go!” Of course, this calls for courage and risk, not blindly, but with faith and trust in the God who calls.
The Passionists in Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand are committed to promoting our life and mission in the Church and world of today. If you feel some desire within yourself to choose our way of life in community and our mission “to keep alive the memory of God’s Love as shown in the Passion and Death of Jesus”, then please make contact with us…and together, let’s make a difference.
May the Passion of Jesus Christ be always in our hearts!