World Day of Prayer for Vocations

"What is most extraordinary is that, in becoming his disciple, one truly becomes 'beautiful'; his beauty transforms us." - Pope Leo XIV

On April 26, 2026, Good Shepherd Sunday, the Catholic Church celebrates the 63rd World Day of Prayer for Vocations, a day set aside to “ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Lk 10:2). The theme for 2026, as chosen by Pope Leo, is "The Interior Discovery of God's Gift."

"Only the one who pauses, listens, prays and welcomes the Shepherd’s gaze can say with confidence: 'I trust him; life with him can truly be beautiful. I want to walk this path of beauty,'" said Pope Leo in his message for the day.

While upholding all vocations, on the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, members of the Church most especially pray that young men or women hear and respond generously to the Lord's call to the priesthood, diaconate, religious life, societies of apostolic life or secular institutes. In his message, Pope Leo urged young people to pause and listen to the Lord's voice.

"Listen to the voice of the Lord who invites you to a full and fruitful life, calling you to put your talents to use (cf. Mt 25:14-30) and to unite your limitations and weaknesses with the glorious cross of Christ. Make time, then, for eucharistic adoration; meditate faithfully on the word of God so that you may put it into practice each day; and participate actively and fully in the sacramental and ecclesial life of the Church. In this way, you will come to know the Lord. Through the intimacy of his friendship, you will discover how to give of yourselves, whether through marriage, the priesthood, the permanent diaconate, or consecrated life," Pope Leo said.

The pope emphasized that we all have a role to play in cultivating vocations.

"I invite everyone –– in families, parishes and religious communities, as well as bishops, priests, deacons, catechists, educators, and all the faithful –– to commit themselves more fully to creating conditions that allow this gift to be embraced, nourished, protected, and accompanied so that it may bear abundant fruit. Only when our surroundings are illumined by living faith, sustained by constant prayer, and enriched by fraternal accompaniment can God’s call blossom and mature, becoming a path of happiness and salvation for individuals and for the world," Pope Leo said.

The World Day of Prayer for Vocations is celebrated annually on the fourth Sunday of Easter, which is Good Shepherd Sunday. The day was instituted by Pope Paul VI in 1963. During Masses, prayers for vocations will be offered, and all are asked to join on this day in praying for vocations.

Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood

God our Father,
From eternity You appointed Your only begotten Son
to be the High Priest of the human race.
Pour forth, we beseech You,
Your Holy Spirit upon our families,
that vocations to the priesthood may be multiplied.
Lord Jesus, give us holy priests:
To offer up the sacrifice of the Mass;
To lead the little ones to You;
To strengthen the faith of believers;
To preach the Gospel to all peoples;
To bring forgiveness to sinners;
To feed souls the Bread of Life;
To comfort the suffering & dying, and
To spread Your Kingdom in our midst.
Mary, Mother of our High Priest, pray for us and obtain for us an increase of holy priests.
Amen

Prayer for Vocations

Loving Father, you sent your Son so that all might come to know the truth and be saved. With the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, you continue his work through the Church. Your Son reminded his disciples that the harvest was indeed plentiful but the laborers few. Following his instructions, we beg you to call many to ordained ministry and religious life. Grant them the grace to hear you and to respond wholeheartedly. May Mary Immaculate, the mother of your Son and the patroness of our diocese, intercede for us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer to Know Your Vocation

Lord, my God and my loving Father, you have made me to know you, to love you, to serve you, and thereby to find and to fulfill my deepest longings. I know that you are all-loving and all-good. May your Holy Spirit inspire my mind so that I may know my vocation. May your Holy Spirit fortify my heart with courage and determination to respond and live well the vocational state you have set apart for me. Please give me the resilience to live my life with great love so that I may be a living witness of your love. I trust in you. Amen. (Adapted from USCCB Prayer)

St. Paul VI's Prayer on the First World Day of Prayer for Vocations

O Jesus, divine Shepherd of souls, you called the apostles and made them fishers of men. Continue to draw to yourself ardent and generous souls from among the young, in order to make them your followers and your ministers. Give them a share in your thirst for the redemption of all… Open before them the horizons of the entire world…By responding to your call, may they prolong your mission here on earth, build up your Mystical Body, which is the Church, and be "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world" (Mt 5:13). (April 11, 1964)

Prayers of the Faithful (Intercessions)

For the Church, that on this World Day of Prayer for Vocations, more young men may hear the voice of the Good Shepherd and follow Him as priests. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those discerning their vocation, that they may be attentive to the voice of Jesus in their hearts, leading them to a life of service and love. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our parish community, that we may actively promote and support vocations through prayer, encouragement, and providing opportunities for discernment. Let us pray to the Lord.