For an Increase of Holy Vocations
in the Priesthood and all Church Leadership

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This Rosary of the Sorrowful Mysteries is offered as a request for the Blessed Mother’s help in improving seminaries and raising up servant-like holy priests and also holy Religious, deacons, and lay leaders — all types of holy vocations.

From Pope Saint John Paul II’s message for the 39th World Day of Prayer for Vocations (April 21, 2002):

The Church is the “home of holiness” and the charity of Christ, poured out by the Holy Spirit, is her soul. In her, all Christians help one another to discover and fulfil their own vocation by listening to the Word of God, in prayer, by assiduously participating in the Sacraments and incessantly seeking the face of Christ in every brother and sister. In this way each person, according to each one’s gifts, advances along the path of faith, keeping hope alive and acting through charity (cf Lumen gentium, 41), while the Church “reveals and experiences anew the infinite richness of the mystery of Jesus Christ” (Christifideles laici, 55) and assures that the holiness of God is manifested within each state and situation of life, so that all Christians may become labourers in the vineyard of the Lord and build up the Body of Christ.

Every vocation in the Church is at the service of holiness. Some however, such as the vocations to ordained ministry and consecrated life, are at the service of holiness in a thoroughly unique manner. It is to these vocations that I invite everyone to pay particular attention today, by intensifying their prayers for them.

In using the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary while praying for an increase of holy vocations, we call forth a rise in the holy priesthood as a cure for the wounds of the Church. We pray for this with an attitude of forgiveness for who have abused their vocations through sexual sins, cover-ups, false teachings, attitudes of superiority, narcissism, legalism that works against the salvation of souls, and individualism that deters from participation in true community life with their brother priests and with the laity.

Christ is our example of servant leadership. We cannot ask for an increase of holy vocations if we are not willing to be part of the answer. Therefore, praying this Rosary is not enough. When we tell God that something needs to be done, He taps us on the shoulder and says, “Go and help it get done.” We put actions behind your prayers. Back up your request for an increase of holy vocations by serving the Church using your own holy giftedness, for you too have been chosen and called.

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Here is a multi-media presentation of the Rosary, which includes music to help slow us down and enter us into contemplative meditation.

“Ave Maria” performed by Robert Metivier for Good News Ministries
Photos used are © 1998 & 2000 by Terry Modica, from the Holy Land

You may say this Rosary in litany with Terry, author of the daily Good News Reflections. Just click on the link to start your media player; Terry will pray the first half, then you will finish the prayer.

Let us begin. Start by announcing your intentions for this Rosary today:

In the name of the savior of the world, Jesus Christ, and trusting in the help of Mary, our mystical mother, teacher and guide, I pray this Rosary using the Mysteries of Sorrow for my continued conversion and for the conversion of the whole world, and to intercede for _______. Joining with the Communion of Saints, I have full confidence in this prayer, because:

I believe
in God, the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand
of God the Father almighty;
from there he will come to judge
the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen.

Our Father, Who art in Heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done
on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

For the gift of Faith to increase in me and in the whole world:

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

For the gift of Hope to increase in me and in the whole world:

Hail Mary, full of grace…

For the gift of Love to increase in me and in the whole world:

Hail Mary, full of grace…

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen!

Together we pray:

Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins,
save us from the fires of hell;
lead all souls to Heaven,
especially those most in need of Your Mercy.

Meditation

(Note: This song is an excerpt from the "Hail Mary" by Elyse O'Kane, used by permission,
and can be enjoyed in its entirety by ordering her CD "With All My Heart".)

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Let us now go to
The First Sorrowful Mystery >

 

We also have Rosaries for personal intentions:
† The Joyful Mysteries
† The Luminous Mysteries
† The Sorrowful Mysteries
† The Glorious Mysteries

See more Prayers for Everyday life >>

For more faith-builders, visit the Good News Ministries home page >>

Also see Terry Modica’s books >>