World Day of Prayer for Vocations 2009
It’s All About Prophets is the tagline for this year’s poster that is being sent to parishes and schools all over England and Wales for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations on Sunday 3rd May.
The image shows a number of men and women around a board-room table; some of them have name-plaques indicating the vocational choices they have made and others are writing down possible choices to indicate that they are ‘discerning’. The business setting is a timely reminder that a vocation is an active decision not necessarily to pursue money, power or fame but to follow Christ use our talents in the service of others.
In addition to the poster, schools will have access to resources that will encourage students to reflect on the varieties of vocation in today’s Church and their own faith journey.
Pope Benedict's message
In a message focusing on the theme Faith in the divine initiative - the human response, Pope Benedict XVI discusses the "trusting self-abandonment to Christ" felt by those called to the priesthood and consecrated life.
"The vocation to the priesthood and to the consecrated life constitutes a special gift of God which becomes part of the great plan of love and salvation that God has for every man and woman and for the whole of humanity."
Read/download
Pope Benedict's message for the 2009 World Day of Prayer for Vocations (pdf)
Resources
Theme, background and information (pdf)
Bishop Stack's covering letter for schools' Vocations Sunday resources (pdf)
Secondary school assembly (pdf)
Poster
Right-click and 'save as' for a 5mb high-res jpeg version of the poster:
Fr John Flynn is a priest in south Manchester in the Diocese of Salford. Fr John was ordained priest at Salford Cathedral on 22 July 2006 - the feast of St Mary Magdalene. In this interview to mark the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Fr John talks about his journey to the priesthood.
Listen/download
Fr John Flynn interview - part one (mp3)
Fr John Flynn interview - part two (mp3)
Right click and 'save target as' or 'save link as' to download.
Prayer to Mary for Holy Vocations
Pope John Paul II
O Mary, Mother of God, Mother of the Church, in this hour so meaningful for us, we are one heart and one mind: as were Peter, the Apostles, the brethren, joined in prayer, with you, in the Cenacle. We entrust to you our lives.
To you we all, one and all, repeat, “totus tuus ego sum,” that you may take up our consecration and unite it with that of Jesus and your own, as an oblation to God the Father, for the life of the world. We pray you to look upon the needs of your children, as you did at Cana, when you were touched to the heart by that family’s situation.
Today, the greatest need of this family is for vocations: presbyteral, diaconal, religious and missionary.
So, reach with you “suppliant omnipotence” the hearts of many our brethren, that they may listen, understand, and respond to the voice of our Lord. Repeat to them, in the depths of their consciences, the invitation addressed to the servants at Cana: Do whatever Jesus tells you.
We shall be ministers of God and of the Church, vowed to evangelize, sanctify, nourish our brethren: teach us and give us the attitudes of the good shepherd: feed and give us the attitudes of the good shepherd: feed and give increase to our apostolic dedication; strengthen and ever increase our love for the suffering: enlighten and enliven our resolve towards virginity for the Kingdom of Heaven; infuse and keep us in the sense of fraternity and communion.
Pope Benedict’s Prayer for Vocations
World Day for Vocations 2006: Vocation in the Mystery of the Church
O Father, raise up among Christians numerous and holy vocations to the priesthood, to keep the faith alive and guard the gracious memory of Your Son Jesus through the preaching of his word and the administration of the Sacraments, with which You continually renew Your faithful.
Give us holy ministers of Your altar, who are careful and fervent guardians of the Eucharist, the sacrament of Reconciliation, spread the joy of forgiveness. Grant, O Father, that the Church may welcome with joy numerous inspirations of the Spirit of Your Son and, docile to His teachings, may she care for vocations to the ministerial priesthood and to the consecrated life.
Sustain the Bishops, priests and deacons, consecrated men and women, and all the baptized in Christ, so that they may faithfully fulfil their mission at the service of the Gospel.
This we pray You through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Mary, Queen of Apostles, pray for us.
Lord Jesus Christ, High Priest and Redeemer, we beg You to call young men and women to Your service as priests and religious.
May they be inspired by you the dedicated lives of both our priests and the religious brothers and sisters of our diocese.
Give to parents the grace of generosity and trust toward You and their child so that their sons and daughters may be helped to choose their vocation in life with wisdom and freedom.
We ask this of You who live and reign forever and ever.
Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, Shepherd of souls, who called the apostles to be fishers of men, raise up new apostles in Your holy Church.
Teach them that to serve You is to reign: to possess You is to possess all things. Kindle in the young hearts of our sons and daughters the fire of zeal for souls. Make them eager to spread Your Kingdom on earth. Grant them courage to follow You, who are the Way, the Truth and the Life; who live and reign for ever and ever.
Amen.
Mary, Queen of the Clergy, pray for us.
Help our students who are preparing for priesthood.
Prayer for Discernment
Loving Father,
You have blessed me with wonderful gifts. Through baptism I am member of Christ’s Body the Church, and share in its mission of proclaiming the Gospel and becoming a Holy People. Keep my heart open to following Jesus’ way of serving others in love and to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.