Contemplative Haven

Apr 13 2008

Vocations Sunday: Let us Pray for Good Shepherds

Published by gabrielle at 1:47 am under Careers/Vocations, Prayer

The Church should daily take up Jesus’ persuasive and demanding invitation to “pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest” (Mt 9:38). Obedient to Christ’s command, the Church first of all makes a humble profession of faith: in praying for vocations, conscious of her urgent need of them for her very life and mission, she acknowledges that they are a gift of God and, as such, must be asked for by a ceaseless and trusting prayer of petition. This prayer, the pivot of all pastoral work for vocations, is required not only of individuals but of entire ecclesial communities. There can be no doubt about the importance of individual initiatives of prayer, of special times set apart for such prayer, beginning with the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, and of the explicit commitment of persons and groups particularly concerned with the problem of priestly vocations. Today the prayerful expectation of new vocations should become an ever more continual and widespread habit within the entire Christian community and in every one of its parts. Thus it will be possible to re-live the experience of the Apostles in the Upper Room who, in union with Mary, prayerfully awaited the outpouring of the Spirit (cf. Acts 1:14), who will not fail to raise up once again in the People of God “worthy ministers for the altar, ardent but gentle proclaimers of the Gospel”.

[Shepherds After My Own Heart: Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation of His Holiness John Paul II on the Formation of Priests in the Circumstances of the Present Day. 1992. pgs. 102-103]

3 responses so far

3 Responses to “Vocations Sunday: Let us Pray for Good Shepherds”

# Annon 13 Apr 2008 at 1:22 pm

I’m particularly interested in the last two lines of this excerpt, Gabrielle, because so often people associate priesthood with two main roles – confession and last rites and yet here there are two others mentioned specifically – ministers for the altar and proclaimers of the gospel.
Here in Ireland a Year of Vocations is being launched today, with great emphasis on the role of us all – whatever our vocation happens to be, and our coming together as one body appreciating the beauty of our faith.
Pope John Paul 11 is a great example of a shepherd who tended his sheep with love and kindness, wandering far to reach those who had strayed from the flock.
# Carolon 13 Apr 2008 at 2:04 pm

Yes, Ann–just reading the first few words, one knows right away who is speaking.

I have loved so many priests, but maybe I have been overblessed to be able to say that. The far more important thing is their love for us.. Imagine laying down one’s life for all one’s friends–for all of one’s life–ever being with us through our ugliest times as well as our most beautiful. I am tremendously thankful for them.
# gabrielleon 14 Apr 2008 at 12:32 am

I was struck by JPII’s statement that the Church “acknowledges that they [vocations to the priesthood] are a gift of God and, as such, must be asked for by a ceaseless and trusting prayer of petition.” I have a particular priest that I have “adopted” to pray for, but I have to admit that I haven’t been one to focus any amount of prayertime on vocations in this way. Something to be remedied.