“ Living Joyfully” : 6th and 7th May 2025 St Anne’s Community London ‘ GOD’S CALL MAKES OUR GREATEST DREAMS COME TRUE’

The National Office for Vocations warmly invited all religious men and women to participate in a unique opportunity to share the depth of our vocational journey with the young people allowing them to learn about our experiences, the call to religious life, and the ways it has influenced our faith and purpose. This virtual engagement offered inspiration and encouragement to the students as they explore their own paths in life and personal vocation. Our vocation stories enabled the youth to discover the beauty and diversity within the Catholic vocations, fostering a deeper connection to their faith and the idea of vocational discernment.

This event is a celebration for RE Classes or other groups from Sixth Forms, Secondary and Primary Schools to join in with the online event. A group of religious representing different forms of consecrated life apostolic, enclosed, missionary and monastic gave a short input about their way of life and vocation. The discussion then followed allowing the students to ask questions.

A group of three or four religious and a priest were assigned to seven schools. One Thousands six hundred students enjoyed the zoom meetings 35 religious joined the students in the various school for the zoom meetings. Two Little Sisters of the Poor from the community of St Anne’s London were happy to answer questions during the sessions. Catholic students from England and Wales were pleased to participate with their teachers and RE leaders. The sessions were, proven to be, meaningful and enriching. The experience for both students and participants was positive. The project inspired the younger generation.

A zoom meeting for the religious, and priests was organised to exchanges views and suggestions for future events. The initiative was a positive experience and will be continued In the future.