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World Day of Prayer for Vocations
Sunday, 17 April 2005

Pledge to Pray for Vocations + Vocation Links + Pope John Paul II + Prayers + Fr. Pat's Vocations Page

General information

The World Day of Prayer for Vocations, also known as Good Shepherd Sunday, is an annual event in the life of the universal Church. In 2005 the 42nd Day will be celebrated on Sunday April 17th. The theme of the 2005 Message is

"Put out into the Deep."

The Pope makes a particular appeal to young people to "Put out into the deep" recognizing how sincere is their desire for holiness. He also appeals to parents and teachers, priests, consecrated persons and catechists to be an example to young people "of generous fidelity to Christ". The Pope says some are called to family life, others to consecrated life or to the ministerial priesthood. "Help young people to discern their path and to become true friends to Christ and his true disciples". W hope that you have a joyful celebration of this important day, and one that bears fruit throughout the year.

Our Holy Father Pope John Paul II

FOR THE 42nd WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

17 APRIL 2005 - FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

"Called to put out into the deep"

Duc in altum!" The command of Christ is particularly relevant in our time, when there is a widespread mentality which, in the face of difficulties, favors personal non-commitment. The first condition for "putting out into the deep" is to cultivate a deep spirit of prayer nourished by a daily listening to the Word of God. The authenticity of the Christian life is measured by the depth of one’s prayer, an art that must be humbly learnt "from the lips of the Divine Master", almost imploring "like the first disciples: ‘Lord, teach us to pray!’ (Lk 11,1). In prayer, a conversation with Christ develops and it makes us his intimate friends: ‘Abide in me and I in you’ (Jn 15, 4)" (Novo millennio ineunte, 32).

Whoever opens his heart to Christ will not only understand the mystery of his own existence, but also that of his own vocation; he will bear the abundant fruit of grace. The first fruit will be his growth in holiness, in the course of a spiritual journey which begins with the gift of Baptism and continues even to the fullness of perfect love (cfr ibid., 30)

Dear adolescents and young people, it is to you in a particular way that I renew the invitation of Christ to "put out into the deep". You find yourselves having to make important decisions for your future.

Dear young men and women! Trust Christ; listen attentively to his teachings, fix your eyes on his face, persevere in listening to his Word. Allow Him to focus your search and your aspirations, all your ideals and the desires of your heart.

Now I turn to you, dear parents and Christian educators, to you dear priests, consecrated persons and catechists. God has entrusted to you the peculiar task of guiding young people on the path to holiness. Be an example to them of generous fidelity to Christ. Encourage them to "put out into the deep" without hesitation, responding eagerly to the invitation of the Lord.

Some he calls to family life, others to consecrated life or to the ministerial priesthood. Help them to discern their path, and to become true friends of Christ and his true disciples. When adult Christians show themselves capable of revealing the face of Christ through their own words and example, young people are more ready to welcome His demanding message, stamped as it is with the mystery of the Cross.

There is a pressing need to implement an extensive plan of vocational promotion, based on personal contact and involving parishes, schools, and families in the effort to foster a more attentive reflection on the essential values of life. These values reach their fulfillment in the response which each person is invited to give to God's call, particularly when the call implies the total gift of oneself and of one's energies for the sake of the Kingdom" (Novo millennio ineunte, 46)

Vocation Prayers

Jesus, Son of God,
in whom the fullness of the Divinity dwells,
You call all the baptized to " put out into the deep",
taking the path that leads to holiness.
Waken in the hearts of young people the desire
to be witnesses in the world of today
to the power of your love.
Fill them with your Spirit of fortitude and prudence,
so that they may be able to discover the full truth
about themselves and their own vocation.

Our Saviour,
sent by the Father to reveal His merciful love,
give to your Church the gift
of young people who are ready to put out into the deep,
to be the sign among their brothers
of Your presence which renews and saves.

Holy Virgin, Mother of the Redeemer,
sure guide on the way towards God and towards neighbor,
You who pondered his word in the depth of your heart,
sustain with your motherly intercession
our families and our ecclesial communities,
so that they may help adolescents and young people
to answer generously the call of the Lord.
Amen.

My Vocation Prayer

Dear Father,

Shine your light upon me so that I may see my true vocation.

Give me the grace to hear your word and be an example to others of your love for us.

I pray for all in Priesthood, Consecrated life, Marriage and Single life,

and for all who are listening to your call,

that they may answer you in their vocation.

Thank you for sending your son Jesus - Lord of the Harvest -

help me to follow His example.

May I freely, courageously and lovingly respond.

Amen.

Prayer to Follow the Call of Christ

Lord, I thank you for the gifts you have given me, especially for life, love, family and friends.

Help me to know myself better and to know my talents, as I pray, study and decide on my life's work.

Help me to see and understand the path you open for me. Help me choose a life's work which will be in response to my potential and your love for me.

If I am being invited to follow you as a priest, brother, sister, give me a generous heart to respond to your challenging call and the strength to follow you wherever you lead me.

Amen.

To Know One's Vocation

Lord, my God and my loving Father,
you have made me to know you, to love you, to serve you,
and thereby to find and to fulfill myself.
I know that you are in all things,
and that every path can lead me to you.
But of them all, there is one especially
by which you want me to come to you.
Since I will do what you want of me,
I pray you, send your Holy Spirit to me: into my mind,
to show me what you want of me; into my heart,
to give me the determination to do it,
and to do it with all my love, with all my mind,
and with all my strength right to the end.

Prayer for Vocations (for parents)

Loving God,

You have given us the privilege

as well as the responsibility of being loving parents.

In the name of Jesus,

we ask you to guide us as we invite our children

to hear your call to service and leadership in our Church.

May our children respond with deep faith and generosity

to the needs of God's people.

Help us to be a source of encouragement to our children

by our own desire to be committed people who

serve with love and enthusiasm.