Please pray for vocations and encourage others to do likewise, by taking home an icon for a week. Use the signup book at the center of the church, to reserve the weeks you want. These icons are replicas of the icons available at the church.

Please pray the following vocation prayers in your home.

INSTRUCTIONS:

The following is a prayer that may be used by the family praying for vocations. A decade of the Rosary may be said, or the prayer at the end may be used with little children.

INVITATION:

Leader: Let us begin our prayer, "In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"
Response: Amen
Leader: The word "Mission" means "to be sent." As Jesus said, "As the Father sent me, so I also send you." Jesus had a mission, the Church universal has a mission. We as the Church are sent on a mission.
Response: You called us to this mission, strengthen us to carry it out.

WORD Of GOD:

John 15:4, 5, 16 Make your home in me, as I make mine in you.
As a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself, but must remain part of the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches, Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty; for cut off from me you can do nothing.
You did not choose me, no, I chose you; and I commissioned you to go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last; and then the Father will give you anything you ask him in my name.

REFLECTION:

Leader: We have been called. We have been chosen. We have been sent. We wish to consider what that call means in our lives. Where have we been sent? Where am I being sent now? Have I taken risks in the past? Am I willing to be sent by the Holy Spirit to take risks in the future? Have I felt the Lord with me? Let us consider the example of those who have been sent before us. (Each take a section - pause after each)

1. Make us strong with the faith of our father Abraham.

2. Make us bold with the courage of Moses, the leader of Your chosen people.

3. Enlighten us with the wisdom of Samuel, ruler and judge of Israel.

4. Give us the Spirit of discernment and decision so that we may work in Your service with the authority of the great king David.

5. Make us alive as You did the prophet lsaiah with a sense of Your holy presence.

6. Give us, as You gave John the Baptist, a love for poverty and self-effacement in our labors for the spread of Your Kingdom.

7. Make us great-hearted, like Paul, so that we be all things to all people in Christ Jesus.

8. Shape us, transform us, even as You made the Virgin Mary, the perfect instrument in Your hands.

9. With Jesus, our Brother, we hear the call, with Him we answer.

All: Father, Your will be done in us.

LITANY OF THE SAINTS:

Leader: Lord, have mercy.
Response: Lord, have mercy.
Leader: Christ, have mercy.
Response: Christ, have mercy.
Leader: Lord, have mercy.
Response: Lord, have mercy.
Leader: Holy Mary, Mother of God.

Response: Pray for us. (Same response)
Leader: St. Michael,
Holy angels of God,
St. John the Baptist,
St. Joseph,
St. Peter and St. Paul,
St. Andrew,
St. John,
St. Mary Magdalene,
St. Stephen,
St. Ignites,
St. Lawrence,
St. Perpetua and St. Felicity
St. Agnes,
St. Gregory,
St. (Your Name)
St. Augustine,
St. Athanasius
St. Basil,
St. Martin,
St. Benedict,
St. Francis and St. Dominic
St. Francis Xavier,
St. John Vianney,
St. Teresa of Avila,
St. Catherine of Siena,
All holy men and women,
Lord, be merciful.

PRAYER:

Leader: Let us pray for the grace to receive God's Spirit. You are the People of God. Lie has loved you and chosen you for His own.
Response: Anoint me with Your Spirit; send me to proclaim Good News.
Leader: You have been chosen in Christ to be the Father's adopted children.
Response: Anoint me with Your Spirit; send me to proclaim Good News.
Leader: Come together, love one another the way that He has first loved you.
Response: Anoint me with Your Spirit; send me to proclaim Good News.
Leader: You have been sent to proclaim Good news to the poor, release to those held bound, and fullness of joy to the brokenhearted.
Response: Anoint me with Your Spirit; send me to proclaim Good News.
Leader: Your mission is to be renewed by His love and strengthened by His grace.
Response: Anoint me with Your Spirit; send me to proclaim Good News.
Leader: You shall be prophet to the nations,a teacher to all people.
Response: Anoint me with Your Spirit; send me to proclaim Good News.
Leader: Go now to the whole world. You are sent as His messenger, empowered by His Spirit, enlivened by His Word.
Response: Anoint me with Your Spirit; send me to proclaim Good News.

VOCATION PRAYER:

Gracious Lord, thank you for the blessings of this day. Continue to be near me and help me to understand my vocation.
You have blessed me with many gifts and talents which I want to use to serve you and your Church. Help me to know how best to serve.
"Come follow me," Jesus has told us. I want to follow, but I am not sure of the right path. Help me to make the right choices.
You have blessed me, Lord, and I am grateful. Help me to see in myself what You see and give me the strength to follow my vocation.

Amen

VOCATION PRAYER FOR LITTLE ONES:

Dear Jesus, You have blessed us with good gifts. We pray for all those who want to serve you as a priest, brother or sister.
Open our hearts to hear and answer your call. Make us a light to all, so that your Word may be heard everywhere.
Give us generous hearts and an eagerness to serve you, Jesus, and all your people.

Amen