Dear Friends and Colleagues,
On April 29th the Church observed World Day of
Prayer for Vocations. The purpose of the
World Day of Prayer for Vocations is publically to
fulfill the Lord's instruction to, "Pray the Lord of the
harvest to send laborers into his harvest" (Mt 9:38; Lk
10:2). As a climax to a prayer that is continually offered
throughout the Church, it affirms the primacy of faith and
grace in all that concerns vocations to the priesthood and
to the consecrated life. While appreciating all vocations,
the Church concentrates its attention this day on vocations
to the ordained ministries, (priesthood and diaconate), to
the Religious life in all its forms (male and female,
contemplative and apostolic), to societies of apostolic
life, to secular institutes in their diversity of services
and membership, and to the missionary life, in the
particular sense of mission "ad gentes".
In his 2012 Message for World Day of Prayer for
Vocations,
Vocations, the Gift of the Love of God or
Las vocaciones don de la caridad de Dios, Pope Benedict
XVI meditates on the theme of God's love as the source of
every perfect gift. Vocations to the priesthood and
consecrated life are a gift from God. Please join the
USCCB Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations
in promoting vocations to the priesthood and consecrated
life by sharing the following links with others:
- USCCB Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/usccb#!/usccb?sk=wall):
Beginning Monday, April 30 and each day of the week
through Friday, May 4, under the "Virtual Vocations
Retreat" tab on the USCCB Facebook page, the Conference
will post a retreat prayer that is ideal for people
discerning a vocation. These spiritual exercises follow
the lectio divina format, including a Scripture reading,
a portion of Pope Benedict XVI's Message of "Vocation,
the Gift of the Love of God," and a closing prayer. Be
sure to share it with those you know who think they may
be called to the priesthood or consecrated life!
- USCCB Web site (http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/world-day-of-prayer-for-vocations.cfm
): new downloadable Prayer for Vocations Card, Prayers
of the Faithful, Holy Hour formats, and bulletin
announcements.
- USCCB Web site, in Spanish (http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/jornada-mundial-de-oracion-por-las-vocaciones.cfm):
Prayers for Vocations, Prayers of the Faithful, and Holy
Hour for Vocations format.
We would also like to take this opportunity to let you
know that the vocation resources available on the USCCB
vocation website:
Beginning May 1, the URL of
www.ForYourVocation.org will redirect to the USCCB
Vocations webpages.
The Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations
continues to be ever-grateful for your support in promoting
vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. May the
Holy Spirit guide your apostolic outreach to the world, and
may the Holy Spirit inspire hearts to respond to God's call
to a priestly or consecrated vocation!
In Christ,
Sr. Mary Joanna Ruhland, RSM
Associate Director
Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 Fourth Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20017-1194
http://www.foryourvocation.org/
http://www.usccb.org/about/clergy-consecrated-life-and-vocations/