Sunday, June 14, 2026

Dear brothers and sisters,

Many Catholic young men and women today hesitate to receive the Sacrament of Matrimony for several realistic and deeply rooted reasons. First, modern world often measures a person’s worth by productivity, wealth, and social success. Because of this, many young Catholics delay or avoid sacramental marriage until they achieve certain financial goals. They focus heavily on education, career advancement, income, and status in order to meet the expectations of their families and communities. Many feel they must first obtain a secure career, own a house, build stable savings, and achieve professional success before making a lifelong commitment to marriage. Second, the increasing number of broken families, painful marriages, and failed relationships has caused many young people to lose confidence in the permanence of marriage. They begin to believe that a faithful covenant with God and with another person is impossible, undesirable, or unattainable. Many fear that married life cannot remain strong because stressful challenges, sinful temptations, selfish desires, and personal conflicts may eventually lead couples toward arguments, infidelity, separation, and divorce. As a result, they hesitate to trust in the possibility of lifelong love and fidelity. Third, modern culture often emphasizes personal freedom, individual happiness, and temporary satisfaction over sacrifice and commitment in the Sacrament of Matrimony. Because of this influence, many Catholic young men and women no longer recognize the profound spiritual meaning of this sacrament. Some view marriage merely as a cultural celebration, a legal arrangement, or a romantic milestone rather than a sacred covenant before God. Some postpone having children, neglect religious practices, or avoid serious planning for the spiritual future of their family. Some live together without the demands of sacramental marriage, including unconditional love, shared responsibility, sincere sacrifice, patience, forgiveness, and faithful collaboration between husband and wife.

In a similar way, many young Catholic men and women today find themselves hesitating when discerning a religious life or spiritual vocation. They often feel the weight of family expectations, especially desiring to bring joy to their parents through companionship, stability, and the hope of marriage and family life. Many are also drawn toward careers that promise economic security, material success, and social recognition. In this context, self-fulfillment and personal happiness can sometimes appear more immediate and tangible than the hidden sacrifices of celibacy, service, and lifelong commitment in religious life. At the same time, concerns about the Church, wounded by scandals and human failures, can weaken their trust in the beauty of religious vocation. For some, there is also fear of carrying the cross, fear of misunderstanding or judgment from others, and fear of special demands that mission may require.

Yet, this weekend’s Gospel reminds us that Christian vocation begins not with certainty, but with a call. Jesus continues to look upon the world with compassion and to invite His disciples into His mission to “cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and drive out demons.” Therefore, let us pray for an increase in vocations. May many young men and women find the courage to overcome fear and respond generously to God’s call. May they be moved by the same compassion as Christ, drawn into His mission for the salvation of all, and sent forth to build the Kingdom of Heaven on earth with faith, courage, and surrender.

Sincerely yours in Jesus Christ and Our Lady of La Vang!

Reverend Kiet Anh Ta.