Pope Paul VI instituted the World Day of Prayer
for Vocations (the 4th Sunday of Easter) on the 11th April 1964 by saying: “O Jesus, divine Shepherd of the spirit, you
have called the Apostles in order to make them fishermen of men, you still
attract to you burning spirits and generous young people, in order to render
them your followers and ministers to us” (Pope Paul VI launching the 1st
Word Day of Prayer for Vocations)
Today, on this Vocations Sunday, the Church
throughout the world is asked to pray for and encourage vocations to priesthood
and religious life. Pope John Paul opens his encyclical of 1992 on the
formation of priests - Pastores Dabo Vobis with the words of Jeremiah "I
will give you shepherds after my own heart" (3:15). He recalls the promise
of today’s Gospel that God will never leave His flock unattended. Such is the
love of the Father that he will provide for the needs of His people. One of the
greatest needs today, indeed if not the greatest need, is the gift of peace.
When he appeared to the disciples in the upper room his first words to them was
‘peace be with you’. He was aware of their distress and their greatest need.
Having peace of heart is worth more than anything. It can help you cope with
the greatest of challenges and the toughest of situations. Knowing that no
matter what we are going through, that we are not alone, that the God who
created us walks with us and holds our hand is worth more than anything the
world has to offer. God reveals this presence and this love through the gifts
of the sacraments…The ultimate words the priest says are during Mass; ‘This is
my body given up for you’, ‘this is the Chalice of my blood...poured out for
you and for many’. Today we pray that
the voice of Christ calling those who have a vocation will be heard clearly and
that they may have the courage to answer that call so that the generations to
come may know true peace. {http://www.vocations.ie/VocationsSunday/Message}
Excerpt from The Holy
Father’s Message for today … “Dear Brothers and Sisters, the 49th World Day of Prayer for
Vocations, which will be celebrated on 29 April 2012, prompts us to meditate on
the theme: Vocations, the Gift of the Love of God…With this prayerful hope, I
cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing to all of you: my brother bishops,
priests, deacons, religious men and women and all lay faithful, and especially
those young men and women who strive to listen with a docile heart to God’s
voice and are ready to respond generously and faithfully”. From the Vatican, 18
October 2011 - BENEDICTUS PP. XVI
For the full text see
link below or visit our website:
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/vocations/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20111018_xlix-vocations_en.html
