Vatican calls for vocational discernment synod

"Youth, Faith and Vocational Discernment" will be the theme of a synod that Pope Francis has called to take place in Rome in October 2018.

A Vatican statement reported: "the theme, an expression of the pastoral care of the Church for the young, is consistent with the results of the recent Synod assemblies on the family and with the content of the post-Synodal apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia.

"Its aim is to accompany the young on their existential journey to maturity so that, through a process of discernment, they discover their plan for life and realise it with joy, opening up to the encounter with God and with human beings, and actively participating in the edification of the Church and of society."

Crux, an online religion news outlet, reported: "Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said that the synod won’t focus solely on the choice between married life and religious life." Rather the gathering of several hundred bishops will treat the full array of vocational choices before young people.

The topic for the 2018 synod was chosen by the XIV Ordinary Council of the Synod of Bishops, according to the Vatican. Find a preparatory document here.  Download the pope's letter to young people here.