MALAWI: More than 20,000 young people took part in the World Day of Prayer for Vocations last Sunday, despite the country being in the midst of a national fuel crisis

Although Malawi is currently experiencing a national fuel crisis, nearly 20,000 young people took part in national and diocesan celebrations last Sunday to mark the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, presided over by all the bishops of their respective dioceses. This year’s Day was themed “The inner discovery of God’s gifts; may young people be one in Christ, united in mission”. In the Diocese of Mangochi, where the national celebration took place, Mass was presided over by Bishop Mortfort Sitima at St. John the Baptist University. The gathering was attended by over 3,600 young people, 14 priests and representatives of various religious congregations. The National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Malawi, Father Ephraim Peter Madeya, who was present at the celebration, thanked those present and urged the young people to embark on a decisive journey of choosing their own path in life.   In the Diocese of Karonga, the diocesan event took place at the Karonga TTC, and Reverend Martin Anwel Mtumbuka presided over the Eucharistic celebration attended by over 500 young people, whilst in the Diocese of Dedza, the ceremony took place at the parish of Our Lady of Help (Mua), presided over by Msgr. Peter Adrian Chifukwa.

In his message to young people, Bishop Chifukwa emphasized that the Church needs vocations dedicated to its service. Therefore, young people must not hesitate to embrace their vocation. The parish of St. Armando (Neno), specifically the Ligowe branch, hosted the diocesan ceremony in the Archdiocese of Blantyre, attended by over 6,000 young people, whilst in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, the parish of Our Lady of Fatima hosted the celebration during which Msgr. Vincent Mwakhwawa, Auxiliary Bishop of Lilongwe, urged the young people to embrace prayer as the key to discerning their vocation and making wise decisions about their future. In the Diocese of Mzuzu, the Bishop encouraged young people to lead a healthy and upright life based on true values; in the Diocese of Chikwawa, the Reverend Peter Musukuw recalled the Pope’s message on the occasion of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. To conclude in the Diocese of Zomba, Reverend Alfred Mateo Chaima encouraged young people to commit themselves to their studies and to pray constantly, urging them to use social media and technology responsibly.