The mission of Invisible Monastery is to inspire 24/7 prayer for priestly & religious vocations in every diocese!
World Day of Prayer for Vocations is April 26
In 1881, a group of Catholic mothers in the city of Lu, Italy, was lamenting the small town’s lack of priests and religious. Desperately wanting to make a difference, the women began meeting weekly in the parish church to pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
Over the next sixty years a miracle happened: 323 men and women from that small town became priests or religious. In all, one-third of the population was ordained or took religious vows. And it all began with the intercession of a few devoted souls.
This amazing testament to the power of prayer should inspire all Catholics to pray that more young people hear and respond to God’s call to priesthood or religious life.
Over half a century ago, Pope Pius VI established World Day of Prayer for Vocations on the fourth Sunday of Easter, which is known as Good Shepherd Sunday because of the day’s scripture readings. On this day, let’s pray from the heart for more holy shepherds for the Church.
The Year for Consecrated Life
Pope Francis has declared Nov. 30, 2014 through Feb. 2, 2016 to be The Year for Consecrated Life.
“The old saying will always be true: ‘Where there are religious, there is joy.’ We are called to know and show that God is able to fill our hearts to the brim with happiness; that we need not seek our happiness elsewhere; that the authentic fraternity found in our communities increases our joy; and that our total self-giving in service to the Church, to families and young people, to the elderly and the poor, brings us life-long personal fulfilment.”
— Pope Francis
From the Apostolic Letter to all Consecrated People
on the occasion of The Year of Consecrated Life
Fostering vocations in the family
“Vocations grow on trees… Family trees.”
Vocation formation, like faith formation, starts in the home. There are many ways that families can help their children remain open to God’s call, whether to marriage, priesthood, or religious life. An new resource, 7 Ways Families can Foster Vocations, with down-to-earth language and simple ideas, appealing to parents of young children and teens alike, can be found here.
Looking for ways to intercede for vocations?
- Pray for the priests who have ministered to you throughout your life, both living and dead.
- Keep your parish priests in your prayers throughout the week.
- Encourage your children, grandchildren, or other young people to consider a vocation as a priest or religious brother or sister.
- Pray a rosary for more young men and women in our diocese to respond to God’s call.
The Invisible Monastery Prayer for Vocations
God our Father, You made each of us
to use our gifts in the Body of Christ.
We ask that You inspire
young people whom you call to
priesthood and consecrated life
to courageously follow Your will.
Send workers into Your great harvest
so that the Gospel is preached,
the poor are served with love,
the suffering are comforted,
and Your people are strengthened
by the sacraments.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.