On Sunday, April 29, the Catholic Church celebrates World Day of Prayer for Vocations to publically 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.
The Congregation of Holy Cross celebrates this day in union with the Church recalling the Congregation’s Constitutions …
Our mission is the Lord’s and so is the strength for it. We turn to Him in prayer that He will clasp us more firmly to Himself and use our hands and wits to do the work that only He can do. Then our work itself becomes a prayer: a service that speaks to the Lord who works through us (Congregation of Holy Cross Constitutions, 2:20).
Read more about how Holy Cross is recognizing World Day of Prayer for Vocations by reading the Vocations blog.
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.” To learn more about World Day of Prayer for Vocations, please visit the USCCB’s website.
