World Day of Prayer for Vocations: April 30, 2023

World Day of Prayer for Vocations will be observed on Sunday, April 30, 2023 – also known as “Good Shepherd Sunday.”

The purpose of this day is to publicly fulfil the Lord’s instruction to;

“Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest” (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2). 

We remember young women and men throughout our country and diocese and pray they may be open to hear and respond generously to the Lord’s call to marriage, the single life, the priesthood, diaconate, religious life, societies of apostolic life or secular institutes.

 

 

VOCATIONS PRAYER

Holy Spirit, stir within us the passion to promote vocations to the single and married life,
consecrated life, societies of apostolic life, diocesan priesthood and permanent diaconate. 

Inspire us daily to respond to Your call with boundless compassion,
abundant generosity, and radical availability.

Help us to remember our own baptismal call to rouse us
to invite the next generation to hear and respond to Your call.

Inspire parents, families, and lay ecclesial ministers to begin a conversation
with young Catholics to consider how they will live lives of holiness and sacred service.

Nudge inquirers and motivate discerners to learn more about vowed and associate
commitment in apostolic life, cloistered life, evangelical life, lay ecclesial ministers,
missionary life, monastic life, and societies of apostolic life.  

Ignite our Church with the confident humility that there is an urgent need for all the baptised
to live their vocation in solidarity with those who are poor, neglected, and marginalized.

 

 

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

  • We pray for our young people as they discern the call of Jesus the Good Shepherd in their lives.  May they come to know that fulfilment in life comes in love and service for others.  Lord hear us.
  • We pray for all those studying at our own diocesan seminary, Corpus Christi College.  May they come to a love of Jesus and the Ballarat Diocese to which they will be called to serve.  Lord hear us.
  • We pray for all families and schools that they feel supported by the Church so that their faith may be formed and nurtured abundantly which will assist them to gradually discern their future vocations.  Lord hear us.

Prepared by Fr Ed Moloney and Fr James Kerr, on behalf of the Ballarat Diocese Vocations Committee

World Day of Prayer for Vocations website
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