Pray for More Priests
The Church needs more priests; our Archdiocese of Glasgow needs more priests - These priests can only come from parishes like ours; families like ours. We are the garden in which vocations grow. We need to water that garden by prayer and by example so that vocations are nourished in our midst.
Prayer for Vocations
Jesus, high priest and Redeemer
forever, we beg you to call young
men and women to your service,
as priests and religious. May they
be inspired by the lives of dedicated
priests, brothers and sisters.
Give to parents the grace
of generosity and trust toward you
and their child so that their sons
and daughters may be helped to
choose their vocation in life with
wisdom and freedom.
O God, you have called us to salvation and have sent your Son to establish the Church for this purpose, and you have provided the sacred ministers. The harvest is ever ready but the laborers are scarce. Inspire our youth to follow Jesus by serving Your People. Amen
Parents Prayer for Vocations
Gracious and loving God
you have blessed us with the privilege of becoming Parents.
We ask that you provide us with all that we need
in accepting this awesome responsibility.
We pray that we will be open to your spirit
who is our source of strength
as we witness to our children
your love for each of them and your desire for them
to be happy and to live a full life.
We ask your help
so we may guide and encourage our children
to believe that they each have a special calling
and to use their gifts and talents for others.
We pray, Heavenly Father,
that our children will discover
and respond enthusiastically to your desire for them
whether it be to the vocation of single, married,
ordained or consecrated life.
We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus
through the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Jesus, high priest and Redeemer
forever, we beg you to call young
men and women to your service,
as priests and religious. May they
be inspired by the lives of dedicated
priests, brothers and sisters.
Give to parents the grace
of generosity and trust toward you
and their child so that their sons
and daughters may be helped to
choose their vocation in life with
wisdom and freedom.
O God, you have called us to salvation and have sent your Son to establish the Church for this purpose, and you have provided the sacred ministers. The harvest is ever ready but the laborers are scarce. Inspire our youth to follow Jesus by serving Your People. Amen
Parents Prayer for Vocations
Gracious and loving God
you have blessed us with the privilege of becoming Parents.
We ask that you provide us with all that we need
in accepting this awesome responsibility.
We pray that we will be open to your spirit
who is our source of strength
as we witness to our children
your love for each of them and your desire for them
to be happy and to live a full life.
We ask your help
so we may guide and encourage our children
to believe that they each have a special calling
and to use their gifts and talents for others.
We pray, Heavenly Father,
that our children will discover
and respond enthusiastically to your desire for them
whether it be to the vocation of single, married,
ordained or consecrated life.
We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus
through the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
I think I might be called to be a Priest - what do I do?
Obviously it is desirable that you speak to Canon Tartaglia or Father Gargaro and talk to them about just what priesthood involves. For the right young men priesthood is a wonderful life of service to God and His holy people but it does involve sacrificing their own desires and wishes in obedience to the Bishop, sacrificing wealth for poverty, and renouncing the possibility of being a father and husband in a family in favour of being a father to the whole parish. Knowing if someone is ready to make this decision takes many years in seminary; knowing if someone is even ready to try also takes some time, prayer, and conversation with priests. Never though be afraid to talk about it.
If you want some more ideas then why not look at some good on-line resources:
If you want some more ideas then why not look at some good on-line resources:
- The Southwark Archdiocesan vocations blog
- The annual Invocation vocations event website
- Southwark's What is a priest website
- American Bishops' Discernment website
- Priests for Scotland's vocations pages
- The website of the Scots College in Rome where all our students are trained.
- The on-line video The Catholic Priest Today