For vocations to the priesthood and religious life

Let us pray that the ecclesial community might welcome the desires and doubts of those young people who feel a call to serve Christ’s mission in the priesthood and religious life.

When I was 17 years old, I was a student and was working. I had my own plans. I wasn’t thinking at all of being a priest. But one day, I went into the church…and God was there, waiting for me!

God still calls young people even today, sometimes in ways we can’t imagine. Sometimes we don’t hear because we’re too busy with our own things, our own plans, even with our own things in the Church.

But the Holy Spirit also speaks to us through dreams, and speaks to us through the concerns young people feel in their hearts. If we accompany their journeys, we’ll see how God is doing new things with them. And we’ll be able to welcome His call in ways that better serve the Church and the world today.

Let’s trust young people! And, above all, let’s trust God for He calls everyone!

View the February Prayer Intention Pope Video – a global initiative to disseminate the Holy Father’s monthly intentions (Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network).

Today, February 2nd, we observe the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, honoring Jesus Christ’s presentation in the Temple when he was a young child. The feast of the presentation is also known as Candlemas. It is a feast meant to remind us that Christ is the light of the world, and that we in turn are called to let our light shine before others.

On this day, we also celebrate the World Day for Consecrated Life. As vowed Marists may our vocation and the vocations of the many men and women who share our vocation in collaboration with the Marist laity be a bright light to the world.

For pilgrims of hope

Let us pray that this Jubilee strengthen us in our faith, helping us to recognize the Risen Christ in the midst of our lives, transforming us into pilgrims of Christian hope.

Christian hope is a gift from God that fills our lives with joy.
And today, we need it a lot. The world really needs it a lot!
When you don’t know if you’ll be able to feed your children tomorrow, or if what you’re studying will allow you to get a good job, it’s easy to get discouraged.
Where can we look for hope?
Hope is an anchor – an anchor that you cast over with a rope to be moored on the shore.
We have to hold onto the rope of hope – hold on tight.
Let’s help each other discover this encounter with Christ who gives us life, and let’s set out on a journey as pilgrims of hope to celebrate that life. And entering into the upcoming Jubilee is the next stage within that life.
Day by day, let us fill our lives with the gift of hope that God gives us, and through us, let us allow it to reach everyone who is looking for it.
Don’t forget – hope never disappoints.

View the December Prayer Intention Pope Video – a global initiative to disseminate the Holy Father’s monthly intentions (Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network).