A Prayer for Vocations from Pope Francis

Today, Holy Mother Church observes the 53rd World Day of Prayer for Vocations on which, as Pope Francis noted in his Message for this day, "We ask the Lord to grant to all those who are on a vocational journey a deep sense of belonging to the Church; and that the Holy Spirit may strengthen among Pastors, and all of the faithful, a deeper sense of communion, discernment and spiritual fatherhood and motherhood."

He concluded this same Message with a simple prayer for vocations:

Father of mercy, who gave your Son for our salvation and who strengthens us always with the gifts of your Spirit, grant us Christian communities which are alive, fervent and joyous, which are fonts of fraternal life, and which nurture in the young the desire to consecrate themselves to you and to the work of evangelisation.

Sustain these communities in their commitment to offer appropriate vocational catechesis and ways of proceeding towards each one’s particular consecration.

Grant the wisdom needed for vocational discernment, so that in all things the greatness of your merciful love may shine forth.

May Mary, Mother and guide of Jesus, intercede for each Christian community, so that, made fruitful by the Holy Spirit, it may be a source of true vocations for the service of the holy People of God.

As you gather to pray for your family today, you might consider using this prayer to ask the Lord Jesus to send more laborers into his harvest.