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In union with the whole Church, we are encouraged to pray for vocations today.

As Catholics and people of God we know that God is calling us and has a plan for each of us. He called each of us by name through our baptism to holiness. He continues to call out to us each day to be his disciples, some to the married life, some to the priesthood, some to religious life and some to the single life.

Pope Francis has released his message for Vocations Sunday with the theme: “Called to sow seeds of hope and to build peace”. Pope Francis writes:

“Each year, the World Day of Prayer for Vocations invites us to reflect on the precious gift of the Lord’s call to each of us, as members of his faithful pilgrim people, to participate in his loving plan and to embody the beauty of the Gospel in different states of life. Hearing that divine call, which is far from being an imposed duty – even in the name of a religious ideal – is the surest way for us to fulfil our deepest desire for happiness. Our life finds fulfilment when we discover who we are, what our gifts are, where we can make them bear fruit, and what path we can follow in order to become signs and instruments of love, generous acceptance, beauty and peace, wherever we find ourselves…

“To young people, and especially those who feel distant or uncertain about the Church, I want to say this: Let Jesus draw you to himself; bring him your important questions by reading the Gospels; let him challenge you by his presence, which always provokes in us a healthy crisis. More than anyone else, Jesus respects our freedom. He does not impose but proposes. Make room for him and you will find the way to happiness by following him. And should he ask it of you, by giving yourself completely to him…

“As God’s people in this world, guided by his Holy Spirit, and as living stones in the Body of Christ… we are members of a great family, children of the Father and brothers and sisters of one another. We are not self-enclosed islands but parts of a greater whole. In this sense, the World Day of Prayer for Vocations has a synodal character: amid the variety of our charisms, we are called to listen to one another and to journey together in order to acknowledge them and to discern where the Spirit is leading us for the benefit of all…

“Rise up! Let us awaken from sleep, let us leave indifference behind, let us open the doors of the prison in which we so often enclose ourselves, so that each of us can discover his or her proper vocation in the Church and in the world, and become a pilgrim of hope and a builder of peace! Let us be passionate about life and commit ourselves to caring lovingly for those around us, in every place where we live. Let me say it again: Have the courage to commit!”

Click here to read Pope Francis’ message in full.

The diocesan Vocations Team have launched a special month of prayer for vocations. You can download the prayer leaflet below. To find out more about discovering your vocation click here and visit our vocations pages.