Good Shepherd Sunday – A Call to Pray for Vocations

The Fourth Sunday of Easter, known as Good Shepherd Sunday, is a special time of prayer for priestly and religious vocations. It is a day when the Church throughout the world turns its eyes to Christ—the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep, leads them, and lays down His life for them.

In today’s world, filled with noise, haste, and confusion, we need shepherds—people who are courageous, in love with God, and ready to serve others. Priests and consecrated persons are not “superhumans”—they are just like us. Their vocation, however, is born from a deep relationship with God and the desire to bring His love where hope, peace, or meaning in life are lacking.

Prayer – the Power that Brings Forth Vocations

Vocations don’t come out of nowhere. They are born in the hearts of young people, but they mature in an atmosphere of prayer. Jesus Himself said: “Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:38). This is not just an encouragement—it is a direct command: we are to pray and cry out to God for priests and religious.

Many of us remember a time when every few years someone from our parish entered the seminary or religious life. Today, things look different. But does that mean God has stopped calling? No. Perhaps we have stopped praying for vocations with the same fervor as before.

That is why, on this Good Shepherd Sunday, we ask—let us not forget to pray. Let us pray especially for vocations from our own parishes, from our own families. Perhaps God is already preparing the hearts of some of our children or grandchildren to follow Him. We need both communal and personal prayer—rosaries, adoration, sacrifices, and acts of charity. This is the spiritual foundation of vocations.

We Need Shepherds

Without priests, there is no Eucharist, no sacraments, no proclamation of God’s Word with power. Without religious sisters, many quiet but powerful witnesses of love—service to the sick, the lonely, and the poor—would be missing. The Church needs shepherds, who like Christ, will lead the people of God.

So let us pray: Lord, give your Church holy priests and consecrated persons! Call them from our parishes, from our families—people who are courageous and willing to follow Your voice.

Let prayer become our strength. For it is prayer that changes hearts and opens heaven.