Pope Francis says in his message for the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life, “Consecrated life is born and reborn of an encounter with Jesus as he is: poor, chaste and obedient. We journey along a double track: on the one hand, God’s loving initiative, from which everything starts and to which we must always return; on the other, our own response, which is truly loving when it has no “ifs” or “buts”, when it imitates Jesus in his poverty, chastity and obedience.”

For the full message please click here

The National Office for Vocation has launched a mobile phone app called “God Calls”, designed to help users deepen their faith and discover their vocations. The app includes daily prayers and meditations on the Gospel and the lives of the saints, as well as a news section and Twitter feed to connect users to the life of the Church. It also includes a journal so that users can monitor their spiritual growth and understand more clearly how God might be calling them. Download the free app at www.godcalls.co.uk.

Vocations Discernment Community, Hammersmith, London

One-year of personal and spiritual development and discerning your calling, led by the Augustinians. The community programme begins at the end of September each year (September-July). It is for men who will be working or studying in London but who would also like to look at the possibility of priesthood or religious life.

National Youth Sunday is looming fast, taking place on 26th November. The theme this year is ‘Something to Say’, in line with the synod next year on ‘Youth, Faith and Vocational Discernment’. We are encouraging priests, chaplains and catechists to meet up with young people to hear what they have to say. Please visit www.nationalyouthsunday.org.uk to watch a short video of five young people who went to dinner with their parish priest.

From Tuesday 17th – Thursday 19th October there is the chance to chat to and be served chicken broth and lentil soup for free by nuns.  The three-day event is all tied up with the launch of a new Channel 5 series Bad Habits: Holy Orders, a show following five young women who swap their modern lifestyles for four weeks working at the nuns’ convent in East Anglia, who are Daughters of Divine Charity sisters.

And while NUNdos might be happening in East London, the whole thing is decidedly Instagram-unfriendly. The nuns want you to drop your phones off when you go in so you can take time to take stock.

The annual NRVP conference will take place on Saturday 4^th November at Holy Apostles Church in London.  The cost of the day is £50, which includes a buffet lunch.

Fr Nicholas Crowe OP and Sr Lynne Baron FCJ will speak about their experience in accompanying young people through discernment to the early stages of formation. The other contributor to the day will be Fr Christopher Jamison, the new Abbot President of the English Benedictines, who will speak about the upcoming synod “Youth, faith and vocational discernment”.

To book your place please complete this booking form and send to Sr Elaine Penrice, National Office for Vocation, 39 Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1BX or by email to elaine@ukvocation.org.