Bishop Sabino Encourages Families to Become Pillars of Prayer and Faith Formation
Arua Diocese -
The Catholic faithful of Mblilinji Zone, under Ludonga Parish in Arua Diocese,
joined the global Church in marking the 62nd World Day of Prayer for Vocations
on Sunday, May 11, 2025. The annual celebration, also known as Vocations Sunday or
Good Shepherd Sunday, takes place every fourth Sunday of Easter, and this year was themed "Pilgrims of Hope: The Gift of Life."
The celebration was led by Rt. Rev. Sabino Ocan Odoki, Bishop of Arua Diocese, who
called on Christians to pray for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.
Drawing inspiration from the Acts of the Apostles and the example of early missionaries,
Bishop Sabino expressed the urgency of nurturing new vocations amidst growing challenges in evangelization.
"If we are convinced that God is love, then we need people who can communicate this love
to the world today and into the future," he said.
Bishop Sabino reminded parents of their role in sowing seeds of vocation at home, describing
the family as the "first seminary." He encouraged families to be places of prayer and faith
formation, citing the Holy Family of Nazareth as the model to emulate.
During his homily, Bishop Sabino paid tribute to the late Pope Francis, who passed away on
April 21, 2025 (Easter Monday), at Domus Sanctae Marthae in Vatican City, sharing an emotional final
encounter with him in February during a pilgrimage in Rome.
"Despite his condition, he blessed me and our diocese. His last words to me were: 'May the
Almighty Father bless you for your work and your intentions.' That blessing I bring to you
today," Bishop Sabino told the congregation.
Bishop Sabino expressed joy over the election of Pope Leo XIV, praising his vow to continue
the legacy of Pope Leo XIII, who was the first to introduce the Church's social teaching on
fair working conditions. He commended the new Pope's strong commitment to promoting social
justice, upholding the dignity of labor, ensuring profit sharing with workers, and improving
their standard of living. Bishop Sabino emphasized that Pope Leo XIV has chosen to be a voice
for workers who are treated unfairly and affirmed that the Church will continue to advocate
for justice to make the world a fairer place for all.
"Church will continue to be a voice for those treated unfairly. The world must become
a just place for all of us," he said.
Bishop Sabino urged the local Church to take full responsibility for its spiritual and
pastoral leadership. He recounted a memory when a community in Arua Diocese requested
late Bishop Angelo Tarantino for a first Parish priest to be a white priest, and the
bishop then jokingly asked them to pray for African couples to give birth to white children.
"That was a message that we, Africans, must now become missionaries to ourselves. Let us stop
waiting. The Church is ours to grow," he declared.
As part of the celebration, Bishop Sabino also blessed the incense brought from the Holy Land,
used during sacraments administered on the day. He encouraged those receiving sacraments,
including Matrimony and Confirmation, to pursue their vocations with inner conviction and
authenticity.
"Do not enter a vocation because others are watching. Be convinced that it is God calling
you whether to marriage or to priesthood. That conviction must come from the Holy Spirit;
let us be agents of transformation in our chapels, parishes, and communities. We pray for
this spirit of vocations to guide our Diocese of Arua and make our Church a vibrant vineyard of
the Lord," he said.
