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Fr. Justin Russolillo, the Founder of the Society of Divine
Vocations, was born in Pianura, Naples, Italy on Jan. 18, 1891. He
was ordained a priest on September 20, 1913. A month after being
named pastor of St. George Church in Pianura, on October 18, 1920 he
gathered in common life the group of "the most faithful ones":
the first community of the Society of Divine Vocations, which became
known as the "Vocationist Fathers," came into being. Its first
Diocesan approval came on May 26, 1927. It became a Congregation of
Pontifical right on May 24, 1947.
Fr. Justin established the Vocationist Fathers and their special
charism to foster and promote vocations to the priesthood, religious
life and holiness among all God's people. To carry on this
vocational work Fr. Justin established the
Vocationary,
a special house of formation that would supply vocations to both
religious order and diocesan seminaries. For those who are undecided
whether they want to be a Vocationist, a Diocesan priest or a member
of another religious community, the Vocationist Fathers offer the
Vocationary, a place of vocational discernment.
The Vocationists' spirituality stems from Fr. Justin's conviction
that all people are called to holiness. Our ultimate goal is to
achieve Divine Union. We are called to establish and live the
relationship of "child, mother and spouse" of God on the pattern of
Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The Catholic Church, the Holy Family and the
Blessed Trinity are the heart and center of their spirituality,
which may be summarized thus: "Ascension to the Trinity with the
Holy Family in the Church."
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