Holy Hour for Vocations
(Format without priest present)
1) Opening Song: Be not Afraid, Here I am, Lord, Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service, Servant Song, Ubi Caritas, Where Charity and Love Prevail, We are Called, The Summons, (or other fitting vocation/servant songs).
2) Brief introduction and invitation to prayer by the leader:
Leader: In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
Leader: Lord we ask you to open our minds and hearts to your Spirit. Help all of us to be open and ever discerning of Your will for our lives. We pray that all of us may respond generously and lovingly to unique calling to a state of life that you have designed us to live and have planned for us. We pray to have hearts as Mary, always freely and joyfully saying “yes” to you in all your plans; that we may say with Mary “Be it done unto me according to your will, Lord!” We ask this through Christ our Lord,
All: Amen
3) Reading of Scripture: One or two selections of readings can be chosen for this time.
Suggested readings:
Harvest is abundant Lk 10:1-9, You didn’t choose me, but I chose you JN 15:16-17, Come and see JN 1:35-39, calling of Samuel I Sm 3:1-10, Parable of the Five Talents Mt 25:14-30, Joseph be not afraid to take Mary as your wife Mt 1:18-25, Give your as a living sacrifice Rm 12:1-2, Calling of Jeremiah Jer 29:11-16/Jer 1:4-9,…(any other fitting Scripture)
4) Reflection/Meditation on the Scripture.
5)Silent prayer and possible music (the Rosary may also be said here).
6)Intercessions (use these or write your own)
As we gather here to pray together, let us ask that God opens our hearts to His call for each of our lives.
We pray for all those who are seeking their calling to a permanent state of life, that they may not fear the calling of the Lord and that they may respond lovingly.
We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for all those who are married, that they may be a faithful witness to all people of God’s faithful and fruitful love in the world.
We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for all of our priests, that they may be a true and faithful witness of Christ in the world, loving and sacrificing themselves for the Church and Her people.
We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for all those in religious orders and those in a form of consecrated life, that they may be faithful witnesses to the world of the destiny of heaven, the marriage of us and God.
We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for all of us, that we may be faithful to the calling of the Lord in the midst of suffering, despair, or desert times that will come in our lives.
We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
Lord, hear all these prayers and those that are in the depths of our hearts. We pray that You open our hearts and will to hear Your voice when You call each of us by name. We ask all these prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Our Father…
7) Closing Prayer (use one of the two options): A prayer from St. Paul to the Ephesians (1:11-14) “In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ. In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed* with the promised holy Spirit, which is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise of his glory.”
We ask this through Christ our Lord,
Amen
A prayer from St. Paul to the Romans (12:1-2) “I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.”
We ask this through Christ our Lord,
Amen
8) Closing Song: Be not Afraid, Here I am, Lord, Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service, Servant Song, Ubi Caritas, Where Charity and Love Prevail, We are Called, The Summons, (or other fitting vocation/servant songs).