All Catholics called to pray for vocations
April 16, 2013
HOUSTON — Catholics around the world are called to pray for vocations on Sunday, April 21. In the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, the Office of Vocations invites the public to St. Mary Seminary, 9845 Memorial Dr., to join in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament to ask for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life.
"We need priests to continue leading us in the sacramental life, and sisters and brothers who freely choose to follow Christ by professing religious vows, all ministering with the rest of God's people in building up the Body of Christ," said Sister Anita Brenek, associate director of the Office of Vocations. "We know Catholics in our Archdiocese have an invested interest in the future of our Church and would be eager to join us in prayer."
Rhonda Gruenewald, member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church's vocation committee and coordinator of the April 21 Day of Prayer, added, "We ask that the Holy Spirit pour down a wellspring of grace on our Archdiocese that will foster vocations in our homes for our Church."
The purpose of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations is to publicly fulfill the Lord's instruction: "Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest" (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2). As a climax to a prayer that is continually offered throughout the Church, this day of prayer affirms the primacy of faith and grace in all that concerns vocations to the priesthood and to the consecrated life.
| World Day of Prayer for Vocations Sunday, April 21 St. Mary Seminary Chapel, 9845 Memorial Dr. 9:30 a.m. Mass with Seminarians 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament |
The prayer event will be held in the chapel of the seminary, beginning with Mass at 9:30 a.m., followed by Eucharistic Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until 5 p.m.
Each hour, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., will have communal prayer and silence. Between 3 to 5 p.m., there will be praise and worship music with the last hour in Spanish. In addition, after each hour, refreshments and fellowship are in the Nold Building of the seminary. All are invited to attend at any time throughout the day.
For additional inspiration, there will be an exhibit in the Nold Building honoring the Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, whose Lay Missionaries of Charity will be offering prayers for vocations while staffing the exhibit.
For more information, go to www.houstonvocations.com or call the Office of Vocations at 713-652-8239.