The World Day of Prayer for Vocations, now in its 61st year, invites us to pray for and promote vocations. Liturgically known as Good Shepherd Sunday, it was initiated by Pope St. Paul VI during the Second Vatican Council in 1964, the purpose of this day is to help all the faithful to respond to God’s call and to support in prayer all those who are discerning how best to respond to today’s needs in the vocation God calls them to.
Pope Francis has explained that this year’s Vocations Sunday theme is Called to sow seeds of hope and build peace, reflecting the universal call to base our lives on the rock of Christ’s resurrection. He reminds us that any effort we make in the vocation we have chosen will not go in vain.
World Vocations Day is also a day to express gratitude to all those men and women who share the joy of the gospel, following in the footsteps of the apostles through their heroic witnessing. Their examples challenge the faithful to embrace the God-given call to serve him in the world, whether through the consecrated life, the priesthood, marriage, or even the single life.
Pope Francis, in his message for this year’s Vocation Sunday, reflected on the Christian pilgrimage as a synodal journey rooted in hope and aimed at discovering God’s love. “Our common journey is bringing us to the Jubilee Year of 2025. Let us travel as pilgrims of hope towards the Holy Year, for by discovering our own vocation and its place amid the different gifts bestowed by the Spirit, we can become for our world messengers and witnesses of Jesus’ dream of a single human family, united in God’s love and in the bond of charity, cooperation and fraternity,” the pope wrote.
If you are a parent, when you ask your child what they would like to be when they grow up, imagine them responding with “I want to be a priest” or “I want to be a sister!” What would your reaction be? Would you be worried or elated—or somewhere in between? The truth is that God has a plan for each of his children; he wants them to be happy even more than we do! The key to their true happiness lies in discovering God’s plan for their lives—their vocation—and following it wholeheartedly.
When we are truly concerned about our children’s wellbeing, it makes sense to help them discern their vocations, whether marriage, the priesthood, or the religious life. Consider incorporating some books about well-known saints into their nightly reading. We find many captivating, suitable stories and even comic books about saints as well as daily gospel reflections adapted for children. How would we want to introduce them to our children?!
Our family prayers should include those for the vocation of more priests and religious, and we should let our children hear us praying for their futures. Speak openly about vocations to marriage, priesthood, and religious life.
Pope Francis particularly urged young people to create space for God in their lives so that they may discover joy in his calling. “Let Jesus challenge you by his presence, which always provokes in us a healthy crisis. He does not impose but proposes. Make room for him and you will find the way to happiness.” Jose, CMF
