Pray to the Owner of the harvest
The Rosary for Priestly Vocations
Jesus himself sent us to ask workers for his harvest. To pray the Rosary for priests, seminarians and all vocations is to put that supplication in the hands of Mary, the Mother of the High and Eternal Priest. It is the same old Rosary, but offered, mystery to mystery, by whom God continues to call.
"The harvest is much, but the workers few; therefore ask the owner of the harvest to send workers to his harvest."EVANGELIO SEGUN SAN MATTHEO 9, 37-38 (cf. Luke 10:2)
Why pray the Rosary for vocations
The Church has always read these words of Jesus as a Permanent mandate to pray for apostolic vocations, and in particular for the Priestly and religious vocationswhich in time prolong the sending of Christ and the apostles. It is not a counsel: it is an order of the Lord who asks for our persevering prayer.
And that prayer finds in Mary its most natural channel. The priest is set up with Christ Head and Shepherd; and Mary, Mother of Christ, is also venerated as Mother of the priests. Saint John Paul II, in the exhortation Pastors dabo vobis, presents it as "Mother and model of priests," and invites the ministry to live in intimate communion with the Mother of the High and Eternal Priest. Therefore, when we pray the Rosary for vocations, we put it confidently in their hands.
Note. "Mother of the priests" and "Queen of the clergy" are titles of devotional language, consistent with the faith of the Church (Mary, Queen of the Apostles and Mother of the Church), even though they are not dogmatic definitions. The essential thing is the intention of the heart: to ask, with Mary, "the workers that the Lord will send."
An intention for every mystery
For the Pope and the Bishops
So that, docile to the Holy Spirit, they may guide the Church and promote and care for the vocations that the Lord raises.
For the priests
For all who already exercise the ministry: that they may live with fidelity, joy and pure heart their dedication to Christ and to the people of God.
For the seminarians and novices
For those who are in formation, in seminars and novitiates: that they may continue with generosity in the call received.
For the young who discern
For so many young people who feel the concern of the call: do not be afraid and respond with a brave "yes," like Mary's.
For Christian families
For children and families, the first "cradle" of vocations: that they be good land where the seed of the call can germinate.
How to pray, step by step
- It starts with the sign of the cross and a brief act of contrition or Credo.
- It offers the entire Rosary for priestly and religious vocations (you can name a priest, a seminarian or a specific person).
- The Our Father, three. Achemias (by faith, hope and charity of the so-called) and the Gloria.
- Announces each mystery of the day (joyful, bright, painful or glorious) and unites one of the five intentions from above.
- In every ten: Our Father10. Achemias y Gloriakeeping in mind the intention of that ten.
- At the end, the Hail y una prayer for vocations, calling upon Mary, Mother of the priests, and John Mary Vianney, patron of the priests.
Final prayer for vocations
send workers to your harvest and do not let them fail in your Church
Holy priests, religious and generous religious, souls given to your Kingdom.
Give young people the courage to respond to your call.
Mary, Mother of the Church and Mother of priests, pray for vocations. Amen.
To live in community. The Church devotes to this intention the World Day of Prayer for Vocationson the fourth Sunday of Easter (Sunday of the Good Shepherd). Many parishes add, the Thursday, Eucharistic worship and the Rosary for the priests, recalling the Holy Thursday, the day of the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood.