Sunday, April 30th
The purpose of World Day of Prayer for Vocations is to publicly fulfill the Lord’s instruction to, “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest” (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2). As a climax to a prayer that is continually offered throughout the Church, it affirms the primacy of faith and grace in all that concerns vocations to the priesthood and to the consecrated life.
While appreciating all vocations, the Church concentrates its attention this day on vocations to the ordained ministries (priesthood and diaconate), consecrated life in all its forms (male and female religious life, societies of apostolic life, consecrated virginity), secular institutes in their diversity of services and membership, and to the missionary life. ~USCCB website
Prayer for Vocations
O Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus and Mother of the Church,
to you we commend our young people,
in particular those called to follow your Son
as brothers, sisters, and priests.
You know, O Mary, the struggles, doubts,
and obstacles they must face.
Assist them to answer Yes to the divine call,
as you did at the invitation of the angel.
Draw them near to your heart so that
they can understand the joy that awaits them
when they answer your Son’s call
to be witnesses of His love in the world.
Amen.