"Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it." (Matthew 19:12)
Today is World Day of Prayer for Vocations! Please pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. In Matthew 9:37-38, Christ says:
"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for this harvest."
This is so important! I have a strong belief that this is going to be ever more necessary as we see the influx of new converts coming into the Catholic Church:
1)There will be a need for more priests as the numbers of converts to Catholicism grows.
2) Another prayer to consider is specifically to pray for vocations for new converts.
3) And last but not least, pray for vocations for the Eastern Churches (such as the Byzantine & Chaldean Rites) to help meet their needs.
This also ties into the news that I learned this week that following the Year of St. Paul, will be the Year of the Priesthood (June 2009-June 2010)! Very exciting stuff!!!
3 comments:
Faithful God, you created us to love You and Your people. You have chosen some to serve by responding to the call to priesthood and religious life. Send Your Holy Spirit to stir the hearts of those you have called to follow this path of spiritual leadership. We pray in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Welcome from another convert! Thanks be to God for our Church.
We need to pray for vocations, certainly, but we can't forget to pray for those already serving in the priesthood. http://acts17verse28.blogspot.com/2009/05/which-should-we-choose-condemnation-or.html
Wanted to leave a prayer and note of encouragement. Came across your blog from youtube. After 30 years away, I returned to the Catholic Church. I was baptized Catholic as a child, received first communion, then gradually left the Church. It was easy given that I'm the product of a mixed marriage growing up in the predominantly baptist south. I attended Church again as a young adult but it didn't stick. Finally about 3 years ago I felt pulled to return to the Church of my childhood. I started out reading inspirational books from Max Lucado, but found them to be lacking in spiritual truth. As I moved to Scott Hahn, Jeff Cavins and Stephen Ray, I found the true Church in the Catholic Church. Biblically sound and established by our Lord Jesus Christ. I now teach faith development in our local Church, am a member of several committees and see God moving in my own life every day. The return has not been without road blocks. My wife of 23 years is a southern Baptist and only now are we able to speak about religion and the Bible. She did allow me to have our daughter baptized and receive her first communion at the Catholic Church, so that has gone well. I am even working on my Master's Degree in Catholic Theology from Catholic Distance University. I have seen a gradual increase in interest in the Catholic faith among my friends and coworkers. I truly believe that we are beginning to see Jesus use his Church as an example against this crazy secular world we live in. Peace to your and yours.
-Chet
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