World Day of Prayer for Vocations to Take Place on Sunday

Pope Francis calls on the faithful to play their part.

The 53^rd World Day of Prayer for Vocations takes place this Sunday, April 17^th. The theme,  ‘The Church, Mother of Vocations’ was set out in an Apostolic Letter issued by Pope Francis last November.

Pope Francis explains that the Church is the house of mercy and, in addition, it is the ‘soil’ where vocations take root, mature and bear fruit. “Vocations are born within the Church. Vocations grow within the Church. Vocations are sustained by the Church.” Pope Francis goes on to explain that the “vocational journey is undertaken together with the brothers and sisters the Lord has given us” and as such it is a “con-vocation”. He encourages all the faithful to “assume their responsibility in the care and discernment of vocations”

Full text of letter available here.

OLA vocations feature in April 14th edition of Irish Catholic available here.

Prayer for Vocations

God our Father,

You made each of us

to use our gifts in the Body of Christ.

We ask You that You inspire

Young People whom You call to

Priesthood and consecrated life

to courageously follow Your will.

Send worker’s into Your great harvest

so that the Gospel is preached,

the Poor are served with love,

the suffering are comforted,

and Your People are Strengthened

by the sacraments.

We ask this through Christ Our Lord,

Amen.

-  World Day of Prayer for Vocations, 2013