May 11, 2025 Good Shepherd Sunday on the Fourth Sunday of Easter
World Day of Prayer for Vocations
One of Pope Francis’ last messages is the one for the 2025 World Day of Prayer for Vocations May 11, “Pilgrims of Hope: the Gift of Life,” which was released in March: LINK to Pope Francis message
Excerpt: “The Church needs pastors, religious, missionaries and spouses capable of saying “yes” to the Lord with trust and hope. A vocation is never a treasure stored away in the heart; rather, it grows and is strengthened within a community that believes, loves and hopes. No one can respond to God’s call alone, for all of us need the prayers and support of our brothers and sisters. Dearly beloved, the Church is alive and fruitful when she generates new vocations. Our world looks, often unknowingly, for witnesses of hope who proclaim with their lives that following Christ is a source of true joy. Let us never tire, then, of asking the Lord for new labourers for his harvest, certain that with great love he continues to call them. Dear young people, I entrust your efforts to follow the Lord to the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church and Mother of vocations. Keep walking as pilgrims of hope on the path of the Gospel!” – Pope Francis, March 19, 2025
* Please pray for vocations, for all those discerning God’s call in their lives, and for our diocesan seminarians: Huy Le, Mishca Taillon, John Paul Wasan, and Matthew Witzaney.
Prayer for Vocations
O God, you have chosen the apostles to make disciples of all nations.
By Baptism and Confirmation, you have called all of us to embrace our priesthood in Jesus Christ and build up the Body of Christ as his disciples. Give us strength to respond to your call.
We entreat you, O Lord, to raise up from our families many priests and deacons, sisters and brothers
who will love you with their whole hearts and will gladly spend their entire lives to make
you known and loved by all.
Amen
