April 30 marks the 60th World Day of Prayer for Vocations. This Sunday is also referred to as “Good Shepherd Sunday.”
While it is often linked to praying for those in religious life, the Prefect for the Dicastery for the Clergy explains that the theme Pope Francis has chosen, “Vocation: grace and mission,” applies to both consecrated and lay Christians.
CARD. LAZZARO YOU HEUNG-SIK
Prefect, Dicastery for the Clergy
All are called to be on the the front line, to do their part so that the earth becomes the Common Home in which individuals and peoples live together as brothers and sisters, under the gaze of the one Father.
The Cardinal also pointed out that grace and mission are the two pillars to every vocation.
CARD. LAZZARO YOU HEUNG-SIK
Prefect, Dicastery for the Clergy
The Holy Father makes a clear point: to start from God, from his grace, from his paternal and caring concern with which he moves toward us, to come to seek us out and speak to us “as to friends.”
From God’s grace, in short, comes our mission here on earth!
The World Day of Prayer for Vocations was established in 1964 by Pope Paul VI during the Second Vatican Council.