La messe nationale de la Journée des Vocations célébrée à l’église Saint Canice à Kilkenny sous la présidence de l’évêque Cullinan

L’article décrit l’organisation et la diffusion télévisée de la Journée des Vocations dans le diocèse d’Ossory, une initiative pilotée par l’épiscopat irlandais pour sensibiliser la communauté au besoin de vocations religieuses. Ce rendez-vous annuel revêt une importance stratégique pour l’Église d’Irlande, confrontée à un net recul des vocations et à une chute du nombre de séminaristes ces dernières décennies. En choisissant Saint Canice comme lieu emblématique, les autorités ecclésiales cherchent à conjuguer valorisation du patrimoine, mobilisation communautaire et communication de masse via les médias nationaux (RTÉ). La participation active de figures clés – tels l’évêque Cullinan, président du Conseil des évêques pour les vocations, et le coordinateur national – traduit une volonté de renforcer la légitimité institutionnelle face à la crise des vocations, tout en ancrant le discours dans la doctrine baptismale (appel universel à la vocation). La diffusion télévisée s’adresse aussi aux croyants éloignés physiquement, soulignant l’importance d’un sentiment d’unité nationale autour de cet enjeu. Cette action s’inscrit dans une tendance ecclésiale plus large de relance du recrutement par des campagnes mieux médiatisées et un discours inclusif sur la pluralité des vocations.

Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan of Waterford & Lismore, ordaining Rev David Cooney as a Permanent Deacon for the diocese in Saint Paul’s Church, Lisduggan, on January 2026 (Catholic Communications Office archive)

• Bishop Nash: We pray for vocations so that each person can recognise their own calling, and do so in the knowledge that all vocations are interconnected, rooted in our common Baptism

This Sunday, Saint Canice’s Catholic Parish, Kilkenny, in the Diocese of Ossory, will host the Vocations Sunday televised Mass, and it will be broadcast live on RTÉ One, and online on the RTÉ Player, at 11.00am.

The Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, Chair of the Bishops’ Council for Vocations, and he will be assisted by Father Willie Purcell, National Vocations Coordinator and Parish Priest of Saint Canice’s Parish.

Seminarians from Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, religious from the Diocese of Ossory, and many individuals involved in vocations promotion will join the celebration, together with the parish community of Saint Canice’s and the wider diocesan family.

Ahead of the Mass, Bishop Ger Nash, Apostolic Administrator of Ossory, said, “It is a great privilege to welcome the Mass for Vocations Sunday to Saint Canice’s Church, situated in the historic heart of Kilkenny City.  It is also a privilege to welcome all those joining the Parish of Saint Canice’s from their homes, praying with us through the broadcast provided by RTÉ, and produced by Scratch Films.

“Saint Canice’s is a beautiful church, and I hope that, as parishioners and viewers at home lift their hearts to God in praise, they will be enriched by the experience.  We are praying for vocations on this Good Shepherd Sunday and, in doing so, it is important to remember that all our vocations are interconnected, rooted in our common Baptism.  Our first prayer, then, is that each person will recognise their own calling, their own vocation, and that from a living, praying Christian community, men and women will choose to commit their lives fully to Christ and to the service of His people.”

Bishop Nash concluded, “Prayer is the foundation of our relationship with God, and on this Vocations Sunday we ask the Holy Spirit to fill the hearts and minds of people throughout our country, that they may respond generously to what the Spirit asks of them.

“Vocations Sunday – also known as Good Shepherd Sunday – is an annual day of prayer and encouragement for vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life.  The national broadcasting of this year’s celebration will offer the faithful across the country an opportunity to participate from home and to unite in prayer for those discerning their call to serve the Church.”

ENDS