What is a Vocation? Is God Calling You to be a Priest, Nun or Religious? World Day of Prayer for Vocations + How You Can Help Vocations Explained!
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The Fourth Sunday of Easter we traditionally celebrate as Good Shepherd or Vocations Sunday. This is because in the Gospel of the day (from St. John’s Gospel), Jesus speaks of himself as the Shepherd who is prepared to lay down his life for his sheep. Pope St. John Paul II said, "The entire People of God is responsible for promoting vocations, and does so chiefly by persistent and humble prayer for vocations." (Ecclesia in America)
On this day, the Church asks the faithful to:
1. PRAY for those who have answered the Lord's call, as well as those seeking to be ordained or consecrated, and for an increase in future vocations.
2. ENCOURAGE those who might have a calling to ordained or consecrated life to explore the idea and find out more.
3. DONATE towards ecclesiastical formation and training of seminarians today, through a financial gift to a Priests or Religious Training Fund.
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What is A Vocation? (Continues below the Video)
Vocation in a religious context is how God calls you to serve Him in the world.
God calls you through Baptism and Confirmation to serve Him in a specific way of life.
God calls you through Baptism and Confirmation to serve Him in a specific way of life.
You can follow God's call in a vocation as a single person, married person, ordained priest or a vowed religious. It is important to first determine which way of life God is calling you to. This process of determining God's call for your life is known as discernment.
LIST of Catholic Religious Orders in the US and Canada (includes Traditional and Novus Ordo): https://www.pathsoflove.com/religious-communities.html
How do I know what my vocation is?
The best way to discern your vocation is in prayer. Prayer, simply put, is having a real conversation with God. Spend quiet time with God reflecting on His call for your life. Don't look for an earth-shattering message that says "This is what you are to do!" God generally does not communicate like that. Set aside time each day to speak with God about His plan for you. You can pray in your parish church or in a private place. You may choose to read the Scriptures or write in a journal as an aid to this process. God wants to speak to you, but you have to take time to listen for His quiet voice.
Don't be afraid to ask. God will answer. Another aspect of discernment is to talk to others who are living the life you feel called to. If you think you are being called to married life, speak to a couple you respect about their vocation and how they live that vocation every day. If you are being called to the single life, ask a single person about that state in life. The same holds true if you think God may be calling you to the priesthood or vowed religious life.
The best way to discern your vocation is in prayer. Prayer, simply put, is having a real conversation with God. Spend quiet time with God reflecting on His call for your life. Don't look for an earth-shattering message that says "This is what you are to do!" God generally does not communicate like that. Set aside time each day to speak with God about His plan for you. You can pray in your parish church or in a private place. You may choose to read the Scriptures or write in a journal as an aid to this process. God wants to speak to you, but you have to take time to listen for His quiet voice.
Don't be afraid to ask. God will answer. Another aspect of discernment is to talk to others who are living the life you feel called to. If you think you are being called to married life, speak to a couple you respect about their vocation and how they live that vocation every day. If you are being called to the single life, ask a single person about that state in life. The same holds true if you think God may be calling you to the priesthood or vowed religious life.
Prayer to Discern Your Vocation:
God our Loving Father, you called me by name through the sacrament of Baptism to holiness.
Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, you made me the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Lord, are you calling me to be a priest, religious, consecrated, married or single?
Grant me the grace to respond to the calling ‘Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all the nations.’ Guide me in every step I take in life and lead me in every decision I make in responding to your call. Make me and mold me into the living image of Christ your Son,
who was ever close to those in need. I make this prayer through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, you made me the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Lord, are you calling me to be a priest, religious, consecrated, married or single?
Grant me the grace to respond to the calling ‘Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all the nations.’ Guide me in every step I take in life and lead me in every decision I make in responding to your call. Make me and mold me into the living image of Christ your Son,
who was ever close to those in need. I make this prayer through Christ our Lord, Amen.
How can I support Vocations?
In many dioceses, Good Shepherd Sunday is an opportunity to pray for vocations, to
encourage those who might be considering ordained or religious life, and for each of us to ask ourselves whether the Lord might be calling us to do some definite service for him. Find out more by exploring the reading the vocations testimonies of our newly ordained clergy.
Prayer for Encouraging Vocations
Lord, You told us "The harvest indeed is great but the laborers are few. Pray, therefore, the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into His harvest."
We ask You to strengthen us as we follow the vocation to which You have called us. We pray particularly for those called to serve as priests or religious in the Catholic Church.
We pray for those called to serve as sisters, brothers and deacons. Father we pray for those whom You have called, those You are calling now (optional: especially Name a person) and those You will call in the future. May they be open and responsive to the call of serving your people.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen
Sources: Courtesy of the National Vocations Office
Screenshot Image Source: https://www.sistersop.com/
Text Adapted from: https://www.rcsouthwark.co.uk/vocations/good-shepherd-sunday-2023/
https://rcsj.org/vocations/what-is-a-vocation
In many dioceses, Good Shepherd Sunday is an opportunity to pray for vocations, to
encourage those who might be considering ordained or religious life, and for each of us to ask ourselves whether the Lord might be calling us to do some definite service for him. Find out more by exploring the reading the vocations testimonies of our newly ordained clergy.
Prayer for Encouraging Vocations
Lord, You told us "The harvest indeed is great but the laborers are few. Pray, therefore, the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into His harvest."
We ask You to strengthen us as we follow the vocation to which You have called us. We pray particularly for those called to serve as priests or religious in the Catholic Church.
We pray for those called to serve as sisters, brothers and deacons. Father we pray for those whom You have called, those You are calling now (optional: especially Name a person) and those You will call in the future. May they be open and responsive to the call of serving your people.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen
Sources: Courtesy of the National Vocations Office
Screenshot Image Source: https://www.sistersop.com/
Text Adapted from: https://www.rcsouthwark.co.uk/vocations/good-shepherd-sunday-2023/
https://rcsj.org/vocations/what-is-a-vocation
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