Here are some scripture themed general intercessions for vocations to the Priesthood, Diaconate and Religious Life which may be used for the Prayer of the Faithful during the Easter Season up to the Feast of Pentecost.
Second Sunday of Easter – April 16, 2023
“As the Father sent me, so I am sending you.’ (John 20:21) We pray for those who hear the Lord’s call in their hearts to accept his call to live their lives as a priest, deacon or a religious to serve as channels of God’s divine mercy.
Third Sunday of Easter – April 23, 2023
‘Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?’ (Luke 24:32) The disciples on the road to Emmaus discerned a burning in their hearts after their encounter with the Risen Lord. We pray for all who are discerning their vocational call to serve as a priest, deacon or religious that they may be guided by the Holy Spirit.
Fourth Sunday of Easter – April 30, 2023 World Day of Prayer for Vocations
‘The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the flock; the gatekeeper lets him in, the sheep hear his voice, one by one he calls his own sheep and leads them out.’ (John 10: 3). Just as the sheep know the voice of the Shepherd, we pray today – the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, that those whom are being called will recognise the voice of the Risen Lord in their hearts and will follow him to serve as a priest, deacon or religious.
Fifth Sunday of Easter – May 7, 2023
‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God still, and trust in me.’ (John 14:1)
Jesus encourages his disciples not to be afraid, but to ‘trust in God’ and to ‘trust in him’ We pray that those who are discerning a call in their hearts to serve as a priest, deacon or religious may be encouraged to place their trust in the Risen Lord.
Sixth Sunday of Easter – May 14, 2023
‘Reverence the Lord Christ in your hearts, and always have your answer ready for people who ask you the reason for the hope that you all have.’ (1 Peter 3:15). St Peter writing to the Christian community tells them to be always ready to answer with courtesy and kindness, the reason for our faith in God. We pray for those choosing to give their lives in service as a priest, deacon or religious that they will be always ready to share the reason for their faith and hope.
Seventh Sunday of Easter – May 21, 2023 – Solemnity of the Ascension
In our Gospel reading, Jesus missions his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations ‘Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them….’ (Matthew 28:19). We pray for those who the Lord is calling today to this same mission to serve as priests, deacons or religious that they may hear his voice in their hearts.
Solemnity of Pentecost – May 28, 2023
Writing to the church in Corinth, St. Paul emphasises the influence and centrality of the Holy Spirit. ‘There is a variety of gifts but always the same Spirit; there are all sorts of service to be done, but always to the same Lord; working in all sorts of different ways in different people…’ (1 Cor 12:4). We pray that those now discerning their vocation to serve as a priest, deacon or religious, will be guided by the Holy Spirit to respond to the Lord’s call with generous hearts.