World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Sunday, April 30 is the 60th World Day of Prayer for Vocations.  The Congregation Vocation/Initial Formation Team sent the following message to the Congregation for the day, also known as "Good Shepherd Sunday":

Let us pray for all vocations especially let’s pray for vowed and associate commitment in apostolic life, cloistered life, evangelical life, lay ecclesial ministers, missionary life, monastic life, and societies of apostolic life. 

In a very special way, let us pray for women who are inquiring/discerning religious life with us. 

Holy Spirit, stir within us the passion to promote vocations to the single and married life, consecrated life, societies of apostolic life, diocesan priesthood, and permanent diaconate. 

Inspire us daily to respond to Your call with boundless compassion, abundant generosity, and radical availability.

Help us to remember our own baptismal call to arouse us to invite the next generation to hear and respond to Your call.

Inspire parents, families, and lay ecclesial ministers to begin a conversation with young Catholics to consider how to live lives of holiness and sacred service.

Nudge inquirers and motivate discerners to learn more about vowed and associate commitment in apostolic life, cloistered life, evangelical life, lay ecclesial ministers, missionary life, monastic life, and societies of apostolic life. 

Ignite our Church with the confident humility that there is an urgent need for all the baptized to live their vocation in solidarity with those who are poor, neglected, and marginalized.

Disrupt our comfortable lives and complacent attitudes with innovative ideas to respond courageously and creatively with a daily 'YES!' Amen.

(Adapted from NRVC- https://nrvc.net)

Additional resources for prayer and reflection:

• Message of Pope Francis for the 60th World Day of Prayer for Vocations

• CSJP Vocation Prayer Card (2023)