The 59th World Day of Prayer for Vocations will take place on May 8, 2022, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, also known as Good Shepherd Sunday. The annual event was launched by Pope St. Paul VI in 1964.

In Pope Francis’ message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations he emphasized …

• “that the word “vocation” should not be understood as referring only to priests and religious. All of us are called to share in Christ’s mission to reunite a fragmented humanity and to reconcile it with God.”

• Each man and woman, even before encountering Christ and embracing the Christian faith, receives with the gift of life a fundamental calling: each of us is a creature willed and loved by God; each of us has a unique and special place in the mind of God.”

• “God’s loving gaze always meets us, touches us, sets us free, and transforms us, making us into new persons. That is what happens in every vocation: we are met by the gaze of God, who calls us.”

On this World Day of Prayer for Vocations we remember all men and women discerning God’s call, and in this Marist Vocation Year, the Marists ask you to remember in prayer all those in our international formation program.

(Picture Caption: Marist novices in Montauto, Tuscany, Italy (January 2022))

Faith-Filled Young People

We pray for all young people, called to live life to the fullest; may they see in Mary’s life the way to listen, the depth of discernment, the courage that faith generates, and the dedication to service.

Speaking about the family, I would like to begin by addressing the young people first.
When I think of a model with whom young people can identify with, our Mother, Mary, always comes to mind: her courage, the way she knew how to listen, and her dedication to service.
She was courageous and determined to say “yes” to the Lord.
You young people, who want to build something new, a better world, follow her example, take risks!
Don’t forget that in order to follow Mary you need to discern and discover what Jesus wants from you, not what you might think you can do.
And in this discernment, it’s a great help to listen to the words of grandparents.
In those words of grandparents, you will find a wisdom that will take you beyond the issues of the moment.
They will provide an overview of your concerns.
Let us pray, brothers and sisters, so that all young people, called to live life to the fullest, may discover in Mary’s life the way to listen, the depth of discernment, the courage of faith, and dedication to service.

View the May Prayer Intention Pope Video – a global initiative to disseminate the Holy Father’s monthly intentions (Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network).

On this feast of St. Peter Chanel and in this Marist Vocation Year, the Marists invite you to view an online exhibit celebrating his life.

A big thanks to Susan Illis, Archivist for the Society of Mary, U.S. Province, for creating this exhibit!