Begun in 1964 by St. Pope Paul VI and celebrated on the 4th Sunday of Easter as “Good Shepherd Sunday”, the World Day of Prayer for Vocations encourages us to publicly pray for and promote vocations to consecrated and ordained life.
“…every vocation begins with the awareness and experience of a God who is love…” and that “…we are invited to know God through holiness and service.”
Message of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV for the 63rd World Day of Prayer for Vocations 2026
Pope Leo reminds us to prayerfully consider the lives of the saints as models of vocational response, specifically mentioning the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph and St. Augustine and their special “yes” to God’s call to love and service.
A vocation is thus a dynamic process of lifelong maturation, a path that unfolds much like life itself. Vocational growth through daily prayer and spiritual companionship is vital.
Ways to celebrate World Day of Prayer for Vocations
- A few special moments of prayer before or after the Sunday Eucharist,
- A “mini-Holy Hour” in your parish, church or home,
- Moments reading the New Testament Scriptures on the call of the Virgin Mary, the Apostles or St. Paul,
- Moments of faith sharing with family or friends,
- A special prayer for our Church leaders and your other spiritual guides,
- Prayer to your favorite saint(s), and
- Your greeting and encouragement would be much appreciated by any priest or religious woman or man.
Join us in thanking God for the priests, brothers, sisters and nuns of our Passionist Family and our ministries in today’s world! Your ongoing prayer and vocation promotion activities are most welcome. I would love to work with you on vocation promotion!
Together, let us ask the Lord for new laborers for his harvest: people of dynamic hope, on fire with the love of Jesus Crucified.
May we as Church be a source of love and life in our needy 21st century. Blessings upon us all!
Considering vowed Passionist life?
Learn more about becoming a Passionist priest or brother.
