Vocations Sunday 2022

05 May 2022

The World Day of Prayer for Vocations, also known as Vocations Sunday or Good Shepherd Sunday, will be observed on Sunday 8 May 2022.

The purpose of this day is to pray for vocations to priesthood and religious life and to reflect on these vocations of witness, love and service. The faithful are invited to “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest” (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2); that young men and women hear and respond generously to the Lord’s call to the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life.

Resources for promoting vocations to the priesthood and diaconate can be found on below and www.vocations.ie. For religious life see www.vocationsireland.com

Pope’s Message for Vocations Sunday

Pope Francis has released a message for the 59th World Day of Prayer for Vocations on the theme “Caled to Build the Human Family,” in which he is encouraging each vocation in the Church to give the very best of themselves “in this great divine plan!”
 
In his message the Holy Father said that when we speak about vocations, we are speaking about making God’s dream come true. The Pope also reminded religious and clergy that they are called: to be protagonists of the Church’s mission; to be guardians of one another and of creation; to welcome God’s gaze; to respond to God’s gaze; and to build a fraternal world.

He said, “As Christians, we do not only receive a vocation individually; we are also called together. We are like the tiles of a mosaic.  Each is lovely in itself, but only when they are put together do they form a picture. Each of us shines like a star in the heart of God and in the firmament of the universe.”

At the same time, he said, we are called to form constellations that can guide and light up the path of humanity, beginning with the places in which we live.  The mystery of the Church, the Pope said, is “a celebration of differences,” a “sign and instrument of all that humanity is called to be.”

Each, he insisted, is invaluable for their individual contribution.

The Pope said that when we speak of “vocation,” then, it is not just about choosing this or that way of life, or devoting one’s life to a certain ministry, or being attracted by the charism of a religious family, movement, or ecclesial community.  Instead, “It is about making God’s dream come true, the great vision of fraternity that Jesus cherished when He prayed to the Father ‘that they may all be one’.”

You can read the message in full here

Resource pack from www.vocations.ie

Click here to download resources prepared by the National Vocations Office of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference. 

Vocations Sunday Resources 2022

Prayers of the Faithful 

For young men and women; That God may give them the gift of understanding to discern their service in the Church, the priesthood, diaconate, or consecrated life; And for the gift of courage to follow His call. We pray to the Lord. . . .

For young people; That they may know the personal love of the Lord for them, and respond with open and generous hearts. We pray to the Lord. . . .

Social Media Posts on Vocation

These posts have been made available from the National Vocations Office for use to promote vocations to the priesthood.