On September 2 and 3, the First Vocational Gathering took place in Anaco—a space for encounter, reflection, and discernment aimed at deepening participants’ understanding of God’s call and sharing the charism of the Carmelites of Charity of Vedruna, a legacy begun 200 years ago in Spain by Saint Joaquina of Vedruna.
Eight young people participated in the gathering: seven from Anaco and one alumna of Colegio El Carmelo in Caracas. More than just an immediate invitation to religious life, this experience aims to offer each participant tools that will enable them to recognize, listen to, and discern God’s plan for their own lives, guided by freedom and love.
During these sessions, fundamental topics such as faith, following Jesus Christ, vocation, discernment, mission, and the life of Saint Joaquina were addressed. Through opportunities for reflection, prayer, and fellowship, the young people were invited to reflect on the meaning of their lives and the mission to which they are called.
From Reflection to Action: The Experiences of the Young Women Participants.
The gathering was an opportunity to open our hearts, discover the purpose of our lives, and recognize our vocation as a path of response to God’s love. Each person is called in a unique way and is invited to discover how to put their gifts at the service of others and the building of the Kingdom of God.
Guided by the Holy Spirit, we came to realize that every life is born with a mission. God looks upon us with love and invites us: “Come and follow me.” His call is not limited by our limitations or poverty; rather, it kindles within us the fire of his love and offers us the living water that renews our faith and impels us to go out and meet others.
On this journey of seeking and discernment, the life of Saint Joaquina de Vedruna continues to be an inspiring model. She knew how to listen to God’s voice, discover her mission, and respond generously, leaving behind a legacy that continues to illuminate our journey today: “Do everything out of love and nothing out of obligation.”
The National Vocational Ministry Team, composed of the Vedruna Sisters and members of our educational communities, will continue to closely accompany each participant, respecting their individual journeys and encouraging them to discover, with freedom and confidence, the specific mission to which God is calling them.
This first gathering thus marks the beginning of a new phase for Youth and Vocational Ministry in Venezuela, characterized by listening, accompaniment, and the desire to walk alongside young people as they search for their vocation and life’s purpose.
“Do everything out of love and nothing out of obligation.”
Saint Joaquina de Vedruna
Venezuela Vocational Ministry Team
