World Day of Prayer for Vocations April 21, 2013
In 1963 Pope Paul VI designated Good Shepherd Sunday as World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Christ Jesus, the Good Shepherd, knows us well and gives his life for us. In the name of Christ Jesus we rejoice in the Good Shepherd who leads us into fullness of life.
As we celebrate this feast we pray for fidelity to our vocation. The Church invites us to honor the vocation of all Christians given at baptism. Through the vocation of marriage, priesthood, diaconate, consecrated life, and the single life may we further the reign of God. May those who are discerning their life vocation listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd to guide them.
Serra U.S.A. has produced this resource for the celebration of World Day of Prayer for Vocations. There are many other vocation resources that are available to enhance vocation awareness in your parish, religious community, or other church groups. (www.serraus.org)
Materials in English - Click to Download
Materials in Spanish - Click to Download
WORLD DAY of PRAYER FOR CONSECRATED LIFE
In 1997, John Paul II called for consecrated life to be promoted throughout the universal Church. He declared February 2, the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, to be observed as
World Day for Consecrated Life (WDCL). In the United States, when February 2 is not on a Sunday, we celebrate on the Sunday after the Presentation. This year WDCL is observed on February 3, 2013 the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
The celebration of World Day for Consecrated Life invites all the Church to reflect on the role of Consecrated Life within the Christian community. Those who choose to live a consecrated life do so for the sake of the gospel.
Some Christian women and men respond to God’s call to become followers of Jesus through profession of vows and a life dedicated to prayer and service. They live out the consecrated life in different ways. Religious sisters, nuns, brothers, religious priests, and monks consecrate their lives through their profession of the evangelical vows and live as part of a community. Single lay people may choose to be consecrated virgins and make private vows to the local bishop as they live out their vocation in various walks of life. Secular institutes are another form of living the consecrated life as single people. Those who become followers of Jesus through the consecrated life bless the Church.
The USA Council of Serra International offers this resource to assist you in your local celebration of World Day for Consecrated Life. We hope this kit provide you with ideas to create a meaningful celebration in your parish, diocese, religious community or other church institution.
Materials in English - Click here
Materials in Spanish - Click here
En 1997, el Papa Juan Pablo II hizo un llamado para que se promoviera la vida consagrada en toda la Iglesia. Declaró que el 2 febrero, fiesta de la Presentación del Señor, se observara la Jornada Mundial de la Vida Consagrada (JMVD).
En Estados Unidos, cuando el 2 de febrero no cae en domingo, se celebra el domingo siguiente a la fiesta de Presentación del Señor. Este año la JMVD se observa el 5 de febrero, el 5º Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario.
La celebración de la Jornada Mundial de la Vida Consagrada invita a toda la Iglesia para que reflexione sobre el papel que la Vida Consagrada desempeña dentro de la comunidad cristiana. Quienes eligen vivir una vida consagrada lo hacen por amor al evangelio.
Algunos hombres y mujeres cristianos responden al llamado de Dios a seguir a Jesús, haciendo profesión de votos y dedicándose a la oración y al servicio. Practican la vida consagrada de diferentes maneras. Las hermanas religiosas, monjas, hermanos, sacerdotes religiosos y monjes consagran sus vidas mediante la profesión de votos evangélicos y viven en comunidad. Los laicos célibes tienen la opción de ser vírgenes consagrados y hacen votos privados ante el obispo local y viven su vocación en distintos ambientes. Otra manera de vivir la vida consagrada como solteros es a través de los Institutos Seculares .Quienes se hacen seguidores de Jesús dentro de la vida consagrada son una bendición para la Iglesia.
El Concilio de EE. UU de Serra Internacional ofrece este material para asistirles en su celebración local de la Jornada Mundial de la Vida Consagrada (JMVD). Esperamos que este paquete les proporcione ideas para crear una celebración significativa en su parroquia, diócesis, comunidad religiosa u otra institución eclesial.
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World Day of Prayer for Vocations