The Universal Church celebrates Vocation Sunday on the Fourth Sunday of Easter. This is an opportunity for all to pray for Vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated Life.

Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, the harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.  Matthew 9:35–38

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

O Holy Spirit of wisdom and divine love,
awaken in the hearts of the young,
Your knowledge, understanding, and counsel. 

May they discover the vocation wherein
they can best serve God to be of service to their sisters and brothers.
Inflame all young hearts with courage and grant them your peace.  

Mary, Mother of our Saviour, and our Mother, pray for us.     

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

• For all young people around the world, that through listening to the voice of Jesus in their hearts, and the communities to which they belong, they will discover their gifts and follow his call to service.  Lord, hear us.
• For families, Universities, Colleges and schools that through prayer, education, nurture and love they will encourage the young to discover God’s particular call for them to be of service to the world.  Lord, hear us.
• On this Vocation Sunday we pray for Vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated life.  Lord, hear us.

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