Prayers for Vocations!!!

One of the suggested formularies for Mass this morning came from the "Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions." The prayers are titled, "For Vocations to Holy Orders." I even used the second Eucharistic Prayer for Various Needs. The Third Edition of the Roman Missal has a treasure of prayers and they are very beautiful. They truly express the needs that we bring before God. One of those needs is vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Praying for vocations is nothing new. In fact, we hear Jesus today tell his disciples, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send our laborers for his harvest" (Matthew 9:38). This call for prayer continues in our present day. We thank God for those who have answered the call: those serving in various ministries in the Church and those in formation for ministry. Our prayers are that more men and women will listen to the voice of God in their lives and answer that call. We know that God answers our prayers and that His timing is perfect. Let us heed the voice of our Lord and keep asking the Master to send laborers into the harvest. PRAY FOR VOCATIONS!!!