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Prayer for Vocations
O God, Who wills not the death of a sinner, but rather that he be converted and live, grant we beseech You through the intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, Saint Joseph, her spouse, Blessed Junipero Serra, and all the saints, an increase of laborers for your Church, fellow laborers with Christ to spend and consume themselves for souls, through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Prayer for the Perseverance of Vocations
O God, You have constituted Your only-begotten Son supreme and eternal Priest for the glory of Your majesty and the salvation of mankind: grant that those whom He has chosen ministers and dispensers of his mysteries may be found faithful in fulfilling the ministry they have received.
A Prayer for Vocations
Lord Jesus, as You once called the first disciples to make them fishers of men, let your sweet invitation continue to resound: Come, follow Me! Give young men and women the grace of responding quickly to Your voice. Support our bishops, priests, and consecrated people in their apostolic labor. Grant perseverance to our seminarians and to all those who are carrying out the ideal of a life totally consecrated to Your service. Mary, Mother of the Church, the model of every vocation, help us to say "Yes" to the Lord Who calls us to cooperate in the divine plan of salvation. Amen.
— John Paul II —
Prayer for Vocations
Holy Father, look upon this humanity of ours that is taking its first steps along the path of the Third Millennium.
Its life is still deeply marked by hatred, violence, and oppression, but the thirst for justice, truth, and grace still finds a space in the hearts of many people, who are waiting for someone to bring salvation enacted by You through Your Son Jesus.
There is need for courageous heralds of the Gospel, for generous servants of suffering humanity. Send holy priests to Your Church, we pray, who may sanctify Your people with the tools of Your grace.
Send numerous consecrated men and women, that they may show Your holiness in the midst of the world.
Send holy laborers into Your vineyard, that they may labor with the fervor of charity and, moved by Your Holy Spirit, may bring the salvation of Christ to the farthest ends of the Earth. Amen.
May the Lord of the harvest provide many holy priestly and religious vocations for His Church!
— John Paul II —
Prayer for Vocations
Jesus, Son of God, in whom the fullness of the Divinity dwells, You call all the baptized to "put out into the deep," taking the path that leads to holiness. Waken in the hearts of young people the desire to be witnesses in the world of today to the power of your love. Fill them with your Spirit of fortitude and prudence, so that they may be able to discover the full truth about themselves and their own vocation.
Our Savior, sent by the Father to reveal His merciful love, give to your Church the gift of young people who are ready to put out into the deep, to be the sign among their brothers of Your presence which renews and saves.
Holy Virgin, Mother of the Redeemer, sure guide on the way towards God and towards neighbor, You who pondered his word in the depth of your heart, sustain with your motherly intercession our families and our ecclesial communities, so that they may help adolescents and young people to answer generously the call of the Lord. Amen.
— John Paul II —
Prayers from Mass for Priestly Vocations
Opening Prayer.
Father, in your plan for our salvation you provide shepherds for your people. Fill your Church with the spirit of courage and love. Raise up worthy ministers for your altars and ardent but gentle servants of the gospel. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one god, for ever and ever. Amen.
Prayer over the Gifts.
Lord, accept our prayers and gifts. Give the Church more priests and keep them faithful in their love and service. Grant this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.
Prayer After Communion.
Lord, hear the prayers of those who are renewed with the bread of life at your holy table. By this sacrament of love bring to maturity the seeds you have sown in the field of your Church; may many of your people choose to serve you by devoting themselves to the service of their brothers and sisters. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer for the Canonization of Blessed Junipero Serra
Heavenly Father, we ask you to look lovingly on the missionary journey of your faithful servant, Blessed Junipero Serra.
His steadfast efforts in founding nine missions in California and the conversion of thousands of Native Americans have inspired the formation and work of Serra International.
This ministry in Father Serra's name is to encourage and affirm vocations to priesthood and vowed religious life.
We pray that you bless this holy and courageous Franciscan missionary and grant him the ultimate honor of Sainthood in your heavenly kingdom.
We ask this in the name of Thy Blessed Trinity and of Mary, Queen of vocations.
Amen.
Prayer from the Mass
for the Feast of Blessed Junipero Serra
(July 1)
O God, in your ineffable mercy, you chose Blessed Junipero Serra as a means of gathering many peoples of the Americas into your Church. Grant that through his intercession our hearts may be united to you in ever greater love so that at all times and in all places we may show forth the image of your Only-Begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
