This year marked the 61st Anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations on April 21, 2024.
Every year, World Day of Prayer for Vocations falls on Good Shepherd Sunday. We see in Jesus, the Good Shepherd, the heart of every calling. He says, “A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” The mission of Jesus culminated in his self-sacrificing love. He gave himself so that we might live. This is the great mystery of love present in the Eucharist: “This is my body, given up for you. This is my blood, poured out for you.” Everyone is called, and everyone has a vocation in the Church.
On Friday, May 10th, the Vocation Office hosted Mass and a Eucharistic Holy Hour for vocations: marriage, single life, lay vocations, ordained, and consecrated life. They celebrated and prayed for those preparing for ordination to the diaconate and priesthood in the archdiocese. Bishop Mark Bartosic, was the main celebrant along with priests, seminarians, religious, and all accompanying in prayer.