Novena of the Week: For Vocations to the Priestly Life

What better way to begin the Jubilee Year for Priests than to pray for an increase in vocations? As Pope Benedict XVI noted in his letter to priests inaugurating this year of celebration, St. John Mary Vianney once told his parishioners:

Without the Sacrament of Holy Orders, we would not have the Lord. Who put Him there in that tabernacle? The priest. Who welcomed your soul at the beginning of your life? The priest. Who feeds your soul and gives it strength for its journey? The priest. Who will prepare it to appear before God, bathing it one last time in the blood of Jesus Christ? The priest, always the priest. And if this soul should happen to die [as a result of sin], who will raise it up, who will restore its calm and peace? Again, the priest. ... After God, the priest is everything! ... Only in heaven will he fully realise what he is.

Vocations worldwide have been on the increase in recent decades, but vocations in the United States and much of Europe have not risen as much as elsewhere. The faithful are the source of vocations, not only because new vocations come from the laity, but because our prayers and support help awaken young men to their calling.

So this week, I have chosen for our novena of the week a Prayer for Vocations to the Priestly and Religious Life.