Novena of Prayer for Vocations
It has been a tradition for members of the Society of Mary to pray during the nine days up to the Feast of St Peter Chanel for vocations to the Society of Mary and the Church. We are all called by our baptism and we pray for all vocations, but during this novena we are invited to pray especially for vocations to the religious life and priesthood.
The meditations are based on Pope Francis’ Message for the 2020 World Day of Prayer for Vocations. You may like to prayerfully read the Scripture below, then Pope Francis’ reflection, and the prayer for vocations and conclude with the Prayer for the Intercession of St Peter Chanel.
Scripture: Matthew 14: 22-33
Jesus Walks on the Water
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshipped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Tuesday 19 April – Day One.
“The first word of vocation, then, is gratitude. Taking the right course is not something we do on our own, nor does it depend solely on the road we choose to travel. How we find fulfilment in life is more than a decision we make as isolated individuals; above all else, it is a response to a call from on high. The Lord points out our destination on the opposite shore and he grants us the courage to board the boat.” Message of Pope Francis for the 2020 World Day of Prayer for Vocations.
Prayer: Almighty God, you have placed your call deep within the hearts of your faithful people. We give you thanks for your personal call to us. Help us to always follow that call, even as Peter Chanel did. We pray especially for those young people you are inviting to follow you today as committed laypeople, as religious and as priests. Grant them courage to answer that call.
Lord, hear us…
Prayer for the intercession of
St Peter Chanel:
St Peter Chanel you left your homeland to proclaim Jesus, Saviour of the world, to the peoples of Oceania. Guided by the Spirit of God, who is the strength of the gentle, you bore witness to love, even laying down your life. Grant that like you we may live our daily life in peace, joy, and in love. May your prayer and example call forth from our midst many workers for the Gospel so that God’s kingdom may reach to the ends of the earth. Amen
Wednesday 20 April - Day Two
“Every vocation is born of that gaze of love with which the Lord came to meet us, perhaps even at a time when our boat was being battered by the storm. “Vocation, more than our own choice, is a response to the Lord’s unmerited call” (Letter to Priests, 4 August 2019). We will succeed in discovering and embracing our vocation once we open our hearts in gratitude and perceive the passage of God in our lives.” Message of Pope Francis for the 2020 World Day of Prayer for Vocations.
Prayer: Almighty God, help to deepen the knowledge of your love for each of us. In the midst of his mission on Futuna, Peter Chanel was sustained by your love for him. May all young people be aware of your love and care for them. May they open their hearts and respond to the call you have for them. Lord hear us…
Prayer for the intercession of St Peter Chanel as above.
Thursday 21 April – Day Three
“When the disciples see Jesus walking towards them on the sea, they first think that he is a ghost and are filled with fear. Jesus immediately reassures them with words that should constantly accompany our lives and our vocational journey: “Take heart, it is I; have no fear” (Mt 14:27). This, then, is the second word I wish to offer you: encouragement.” Message of Pope Francis for the 2020 World Day of Prayer for Vocations”.
Prayer: When we are fearful, may we remember we can take heart from the Lord’s love for us. Peter Chanel was constant in the face of disappointment and even danger. We pray for those who may be searching with some anxiety for their vocational path. May they always be assured of the Lord’s constant presence and strength. Lord, hear us…
Prayer for the intercession of St Peter Chanel as above.
St Peter Chanel, Studio of John the Baptist
Friday 22 April – Day Four
“What frequently hinders our journey, our growth, our choosing the road the Lord is marking out for us, are certain ‘ghosts’ that trouble our hearts. When we are called to leave safe shores and embrace a state of life – like marriage, ministerial priesthood, consecrated life – our first reaction is often from the ‘ghost of disbelief’. Surely, this vocation is not for me! Can this really be the right path? Is the Lord really asking me to do this?” Message of Pope Francis for the 2020 World Day of Prayer for Vocations..
Prayer: Heavenly Lord, we give you thanks for your continual company on the path of our life. Peter Chanel left his homeland, his family and friends for the Gospel. We pray for those discerning their vocation, that they might have confidence that you call them to follow you in marriage, priesthood or consecrated life. Lord, hear us…
Prayer for the intercession of St Peter Chanel as above.
Saturday 23 – Day Five
“The Lord knows that a fundamental life choice – like marriage or special consecration to his service – calls for courage. He knows the questions, doubts and difficulties that toss the boat of our heart, and so he reassures us: “Take heart, it is I; have no fear!” We know in faith that he is present and comes to meet us, that he is ever at our side even amid stormy seas. This knowledge sets us free from that lethargy which I have called “sweet sorrow” (Letter to Priests, 4 August 2019), the interior discouragement that holds us back from experiencing the beauty of our vocation.” Message of Pope Francis for the 2020 World Day of Prayer for Vocations.
Prayer: Lord, we have known doubt and difficulties during our lives. Peter Chanel overcame setbacks and great challenges in his service of the Gospel. We too have experienced the constancy of your care and love for us, even in difficult moments. We pray for those you are calling now into marriage or special consecration to your service. Give them courage and confidence so they may experience the beauty of your call. Lord, hear us…
Prayer for the intercession of St Peter Chanel as above.
Sunday 24 April – Day Six
Second Sunday of Easter
“Every vocation brings with it a responsibility. The Lord calls us because he wants to enable us, like Peter, to ‘walk on water’, in other words, to take charge of our lives and place them at the service of the Gospel, in the concrete and everyday ways that he shows us, and specifically in the different forms of lay, priestly and consecrated vocation. Yet, like Saint Peter, our desire and enthusiasm coexist with our failings and fears.” Message of Pope Francis for the 2020 World Day of Prayer for Vocations.
Prayer: We know, Lord, that we are human people. Our desire and enthusiasm to be your disciples coexists with our failings and fears. Grant those young people you call into the service of the Gospel the grace to overcome their failings and fears, so they might, like Peter Chanel, set out in faith following your call. Lord, hear us…
Prayer for the intercession of St Peter Chanel as above.
Monday 25 April – Day Seven
Anzac Day
“If we let ourselves be daunted by the responsibilities that await us – whether in married life or priestly ministry – or by the hardships in store for us, then we will soon turn away from the gaze of Jesus and, like Peter, we will begin to sink. On the other hand, despite our frailty and poverty, faith enables us to walk towards the Risen Lord and to weather every storm. Whenever fatigue or fear make us start to sink, Jesus holds out his hand to us. He gives us the enthusiasm we need to live our vocation with joy and fervour.” Message of Pope Francis for the 2020 World Day of Prayer for Vocations.
Prayer: Risen Lord, when we turn our gaze away from you, we can sink beneath the weight of our worries and responsibilities. Give us confidence to stretch out our hands to you, Lord. We pray for those you are inviting today to follow you. May they be filled with the joy and fervour of their calling. Lord, hear us.
Prayer for the intercession of St Peter Chanel as above.
Tuesday 26 April – Day Eight
St Mark, Evangelist
“As we live out our specific vocation, those headwinds can wear us down. Here I think of all those who have important responsibilities in civil society, spouses whom I like to refer to – not without reason – as “courageous”, and in a particular way those who have embraced the consecrated life or the priesthood. I am conscious of your hard work, the sense of isolation that can at times weigh upon your hearts, the risk of falling into a rut that can gradually make the ardent flame of our vocation die down, the burden of the uncertainty and insecurity of the times, and worry about the future. Take heart, do not be afraid! Jesus is at our side, and if we acknowledge him as the one Lord of our lives, he will stretch out his hand, take hold of us and save us.” Message of Pope Francis for the 2020 World Day of Prayer for Vocations
Prayer: Peter Chanel struggled with isolation, poor diet, hostile local inhabitants, poor housing and a different climate, but maintained the ardent flame of his mission. We remember those who face similar challenges as they preach the Good News. Lord Jesus, sometimes the headwinds of life’s difficulties can wear us down. Help us and those you have called and those you will call to service of the Gospel to remain steadfast in our vocation. Lord, hear us.
Prayer for the intercession of St Peter Chanel as above.
Wednesday 27 April - Day Nine
“Even amid the storm-tossed waters, then, our lives become open to praise. This is the last of our vocation words, and it is an invitation to cultivate the interior disposition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Grateful the Lord gazed upon her, faithful amid fear and turmoil, she courageously embraced her vocation and made of her life an eternal song of praise to the Lord.” Message of Pope Francis for the 2020 World Day of Prayer for Vocations.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, you chose Blessed Mary to bear the Word to our World. With her, may we praise you for your goodness to us. We ask her intercession, along with that of her son in her Society, St Peter Chanel, that you send many workers into your vineyard. Lord, hear us…
Prayer for the intercession of St Peter Chanel as above.
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