Vocations and Sacrifice

“If He asks much of you, it is because He knows you can give much.” St. John Paul II

How appropriate this proclamation by St. John Paul II for Sunday, May 12, 2019 as we commemorate mothers and also observe World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Vocation, be it marriage and family or religious life, while calling us to heroic sacrifice also brings the great privilege of participating in the work of Christ. Fr. Hardon, S.J. expresses it well:

Ordained to Sacrifice . . .Sacrifice and Vocations
Every vocation is born of sacrifice, is maintained by sacrifice, and is measured in the apostolate by the sacrifice of those whom God calls to the priesthood or the religious life. This should not be surprising, once we realize that it was by His sacrifice that Christ redeemed the world. The servant is not greater than his Master. In fact, the more intimate ones vocation to the service of Christ, the more demanding will be the sacrifices required. Read more

We have not been left on our own as we are reminded in the Gospel of John.

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. John 19: 26-27

Having lived a life of heroic virtue, Mary, our Heavenly Mother, intercedes on our behalf. May we ask her intercession for our loved ones and ourselves that we may embrace fully the vocation that we have been called to or are being called to by the Lord.

Join us in praying for an increase of holy and faithful vocations to marriage, the priesthood and religious life. Pray with your children and teens that they might be open to the vocation that God is calling them.