World Day of Prayer for Vocations

The World Day of Prayer for Vocations is observed each year on the fourth Sunday of Easter — this year, that’s May 11. On this day, the Church invites us to pray in a special way for more vocations to the priesthood, religious life, and missionary service.

A vocation is God’s personal call to each of us, and some are called to serve the Church in a particular way. Priests, religious sisters and brothers, and lay missionaries play a vital role in carrying out the Church’s mission to proclaim the Gospel and care for God’s people.

This day also reminds us that every Christian has a vocation — a unique way of serving God and others. We are encouraged to pray for those who are discerning a call to a specific vocation, asking that they be given the clarity, courage, and grace to follow where God is leading.

In addition to our prayers, we can support those discerning their path by listening, encouraging, and walking with them as they explore where they are being called. Supporting vocations can also mean helping to fund and promote vocation programs and initiatives within the Church.

May 11 offers us a chance to pause and reflect on our own vocation and recommit to living it out with faith and joy. Let’s unite in prayer for a generous outpouring of vocations and for those already living out their call in service to the Church.