by Melani Manel Perera

Wanted by Card. Malcolm Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo, the initiative aims to respond to the shortage of vocations experienced by the country in recent years. Children and parents visit the stands of 72 congregations of men and women religious. Young people today, more and more distracted by the internet, loosing sight of the important things in life.

Colombo (AsiaNews) - A three day vocational exhibition (August 31-September 2) to present the work and commitment of many missionary congregations in Sri Lanka and help young people to find their path. Desired by Card. Malcolm Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo and President of the Bishops' Conference of the country, the initiative took place in St. Joseph's College in the capital. Dozens of people, most of whom were young boys and girls, crowded the stands of the 72 institutions and archdiocesan seminaries and apostolates present at the fair, each presenting ongoing projects inside and outside the country.

Among the congregations, there were also the Capuchin Tertiary Sisters of the Holy Family, who only arrived in Sri Lanka eight months ago. "We are delighted - Sister Marigladys Sanchez explains to AsiaNews - to have participated in the exhibition, because it was an important opportunity for us to make ourselves known to people". The religious - Sr. Sanchez and her two companions, from the Philippines - reside in the parish of Katana-Madampella (Western Province), where they teach in Sunday School english classes and are charged with carrying communion to the sick.

According Sr. Chamaline Perera, of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (Fm), "nowadays there is a sharp decline in vocations," and "for this reason a similar initiative is important for young people and their parents" . The congregation has 6,573 sisters worldwide, 148 of which are engaged in various missions in Sri Lanka.

For Sr Cleopus, youth coordinator for the sisters of the Holy Family, "the misuse of the internet, Facebook and mobile phones has destroyed the minds of young people, there attention is elsewhere and less concentrated on the important things in life." And in this regard, said Fr. Solomon Nirmalan, Claretian, "the exhibition is a good first step, but not the one and only tool to raise awareness among young people about their vocation. We need several programs to help young people understand and decide what to do in their lives."

 

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