Prayer for Priestly Vocations
O Jesus, divine Pastor of souls, You called the apostles to make them fishers of mankind. Continue to draw to You ardent and generous souls of Your people to make them Your followers and Your ministers; enable them to share Your thirst for universal redemption through which You daily renew Your sacrifice.
O Lord, always living to make intercession for us, open the horizons of the whole world where the mute supplication of so many hearts begs for the light of truth and warmth of love. Responding to Your call may they prolong Your mission here below, build up Your mystical Body that is the Church, and be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Amen.
Prayer for a Child’s Entrance
into the Religious Life
Heavenly Father, You have called my son/ daughter to be a priest (or nun or brother) and he/she has generously responded to that call. I pray that he/she will be ever faithful in this new state and happy with the life that lies ahead.
Help me to be ever ready to render my assistance whenever and however it may be needed. Let me always remember that it is an honor to give one’s child to You, Who gave it to us in the first place.
Diocesan Prayer for Vocations to the
Religious Life
Religious Life
Lord of the Harvest, we petition You as you have instructed us for more laborers to serve in the vineyard of Your Church. You have told us that the harvest is rich and laborers are few and we experience this great need in the face of the challenge of the New Evangelization.
We ask the Holy Spirit to inspire young men and women to seriously consider vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Help all of us to be effective instruments to encourage and support those whom You are calling to serve and lead the Church of Brooklyn and Queens in the future.
Lord, You told the Apostles to put out into the deep. We ask for the grace and courage to respond to Your call, as we pray and work for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, the Great High Priest. Amen.
- Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Ph.D,. D.D, Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens
Prayer for Missionaries
O Lord Jesus Christ, watch over our missionaries - priests, religious, and lay people - who leave everything to give testimony to Your Word and Your love.
In difficult moments sustain their energies, comfort their hearts, and crown their works with spiritual achievements. Let the adorable image of You crucified on the Cross, which accompanies them throughout life, speak to them of heroism, generosity, love and peace.
- Pope John XXIII
Prayer for Religious Vocations
O God, You bestow gifts on human beings for the upbuilding of Your Church and the salvation of the whole world. Pour out Your Spirit to inspire young people with the desire to follow You more closely by embracing the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience.
Grant Your powerful and continuing assistance to all who respond to Your call so that they may remain faithful to their vocation throughout their lives. May it lead them to greater fullness and make them living signs of the new person in Christ, freed from money, pleasure, and power, and outstanding witnesses of Your kingdom. Amen.