From May 25 to 27, 2026, the Bethania Retreat House, in the Chillos Valley (Quito, Ecuador), hosted the National Meeting of Delegates of Vocational Pastoral Care 2026, an initiative organized by the Ecuadorian Episcopal Conference (CEE) and the Ecuadorian Conference of Religious (CER). Among the participants were the Missionary Daughters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, together with representatives from various ecclesiastical jurisdictions, religious congregations and institutes of consecrated life in the country.
The purpose of the meeting was to strengthen a organized, structured vocational ministry with defined processes, capable of responding to the current challenges of evangelization and vocational accompaniment. During the sessions, joint reflection was promoted on the importance of consolidating an authentic vocational culture in the Church, involving all agents committed to vocational animation and discernment.
The training was led by Father Gabriel Reyes, CJM (Eudist), who developed the topic “Planning and organization of Vocation Ministry”. From this presentation, the participants deepened their understanding of vocational ministry as a spiritual and methodological process that accompanies children, young people, and adults in the discovery of their vocation and in the free and generous response to God's call.
One of the central aspects of the reflection was recognizing that vocational promotion is not the exclusive responsibility of certain pastoral agents, but rather a mission shared by the entire ecclesial community. In this regard, the fundamental role of the family, the school, the parish, and religious communities was highlighted as privileged spaces for the emergence and accompaniment of new vocations.
It was also emphasized that the vocational dimension permeates all pastoral activities of the Church. Every evangelizing action is called to help people discover the meaning of their lives, their mission, and the plan God has for each of them.
Another relevant topic was the reflection on the vocational culture, This is understood as a way of thinking, believing, acting, and living according to Gospel values. Promoting this culture involves creating environments where people can hear God's voice, discern their path, and fully develop their vocation to serve others.
During the meeting, the profile of the vocational animator was also discussed, highlighting essential qualities such as human and spiritual maturity, the ability to listen, a consistent life testimony, close accompaniment, and commitment to the evangelizing mission of the Church.
Similarly, the characteristics that facilitate the discernment process for young people considering embarking on a vocational path were explored in depth. Among these, openness to human and spiritual growth, the ability to live in community, Christian commitment, and a willingness to respond generously to God's call were highlighted.
For the Missionaries of Nazareth, this experience represented a valuable opportunity for formation, communion, and renewal of commitment to the vocational ministry, strengthening its mission to accompany those who seek to discover God's plan for their lives.
The 2026 National Meeting of Delegates of Vocational Pastoral Care reaffirmed the importance of continuing to build a Church that promotes discernment, accompaniment and a vocational culture, fostering the emergence of new vocations in service to the Gospel, the Church and society.
