An Analysis of the Lay Participation to Vocation Promotion in Vietnam

From the dawn of Vatican Council II, lay Catholics have been encouraged to actively participate to the life and mission of the Church. Many lay faithful have responded to this call and dispensed their service in various church ministries. However, many other lay men and women have not demonstrated a visible participation, especially in the mission of promoting priestly and religious vocations. In its attempt to advocate for a more active collaboration of Vietnamese lay people in vocation promotion, this paper will accomplish three goals. It will stress once again that lay Christians in Vietnam need to share the responsibility entrusted to each by the Church in encouraging vocations. The paper then argues that lay presence in this ministry enhances its dynamic and effectiveness. It finally explores ways lay faithful can employ to raise awareness in youth of the call to priesthood and religious life in their context and culture. As such, the study hopes to inspire all baptized to extend their participatory presence in vocation promotion with zeal and confidence.

Keywords – Context of Vietnam, lay participation, multi-level approach. Responsibility, vocation

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