Rosary for Vocations

The Rosary is an early form of prayer dating from the early Middle Ages. Through this meditative prayer, we join our prayers with those of the Blessed Virgin Mary in asking God for what we need. As we meditate on the mysteries, we remember to pray that men and women will respond to God’s call to service in the Church. In this time of prayer, we ask for the gift of discernment to know our vocation and follow it with generosity and joy. Discernment is most popularly used for choosing a vocation: priesthood, consecrated life, single life or marriage. During the meditation you could imagine yourself in each vocation, exploring what you would you find attractive or unattractive about each one. The gift of the Rosary is a prayerful way to help us think deeply about our lives and reflect and decide on any choices I need to make.

How to Pray the Rosary On the crucifix, pray the Apostles’ Creed: On the next single bead, an Our Father. On the next three, pray a Hail Mary each, for an increase in the virtues of Faith, Hope and Love. On the next single, a Glory Be.

Each decade begins with a meditation on the mystery, then an Our Father, 10 Hail Mary’s and one Glory Be. After all, five decades, pray the Hail, Holy Queen…

Concluding Prayer

Let us pray: O God, whose only-begotten Son, by his life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that while meditating on these holy mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through this same Christ our Lord. Amen.

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favoured one! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:26-38)

God, your Word comes to us as a gentle invitation to know you better and to follow your will. Help us to be open to your call in our lives, and, like Mary, to respond to that call with generosity. Guide those whom you have called to priesthood and consecrated life to dedicate themselves to you as your servants. Let us offer this decade for those who are being called to the priesthood or religious life that they, like Mary, may have the grace to respond whole-heartedly. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Our Father, Hail Mary (10x), Glory be…

During those days Mary set out and travelled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:39-45)

Father in heaven, your Spirit moves our hearts to be filled with love. Help us to seek you ever more in serving our brothers and sisters, and support those who hear your call to overcome their fears and doubts, helping them to lead lives of faithful service. We pray for the grace to follow the example of Mary who immediately responds to God’s call with courage and a spirit of compassionate love. Let us offer this decade for those who have been called but are hesitating. May God’s grace encourage them to answer the call and help proclaim the good news of the gospel.

Our Father, Hail Mary (10x), Glory be…

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrolment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So, all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling cl a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:1-7)

God, your Son became flesh for the salvation of the world. Hear your people as we ask you to raise up in your Church, women and men who will build up your kingdom, by making Jesus present through loving service to others. Jesus comes to us in the midst of a family. Let us offer this decade for all parents that they may provide an atmosphere of love and faith in the home. May parents thus help foster their children’s vocations.

Our Father, Hail Mary (10x), Glory be…

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,” and to offer the sacrifice of “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:22-35)

God, as your Son was presented in the Temple, help us to offer to you our lives in response to your call. May those who hear a call generously offer the gifts of themselves and find the courage to be signs of the presence of God in our world. Joseph and Mary presented Jesus in the Temple and dedicated Him to God, The Father. As parents Joseph and Mary knew their Son was a gift from God to be given back to Him. We pray for parents that they will appreciate the gift of their children and provide mothers and fathers with the wisdom and strength to dedicate their lives to supporting their children and all those in their care.

Our Father, Hail Mary (10x), Glory be…

Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced [in] wisdom and age and favour before God and man. (Luke 2:41-52)

God our Father help us to discover where you can be found in the rhythms and cycles of life. May we your children hear and answer your call, to be salt of the earth and a light to the world.  In answer to our prayer help us to find the courage to offer our lives in response to the generous gifts you have given to us.  We pray for those parents who find it difficult to understand and thus support their child’s vocation as a priest or religious. May they be graced with the faith to support God’s will for their children, like Joseph and Mary.

Our Father, Hail Mary (10x), Glory be…

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:9-11)

Lord God, in our Baptism you have given each of us a unique vocation. Help us to live lives of holiness and dedication to you. May we always seek to do your will and be found worthy to hear that you are well pleased with us. The mystery of our Lord’s Baptism is the mystery of Jesus taking upon Himself the mission of the Messiah. Thus, begins His public ministry. Let us offer this decade for those called to the priesthood and religious life but are afraid to answer because of what others may say or think.  Grant them courage, O Lord, to accept the mission You are giving them. Our Father, Hail Mary (10x), Glory be…

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” [And] Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told them, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it. And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him. (John 2:1-11)

Through the intercession of Mary, Jesus transforms ordinary water into extraordinary wine. What incredible things God’s grace can do in our lives! Let us offer this decade for those who are being called but doubt that they have much to offer. May they trust in the power of God to bring all things into completion and say “yes” to His call.Lord God, at Cana Jesus blessed marriage as a reflection of His love for the Church. May those who are called to this vocation of love be found generousand faithful in their vows and may those who are called to be your brides and bridegrooms in vocations of service remain single-hearted in their dedication to you and your Church.

Our Father, Hail Mary (10x), Glory be…

After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfilment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15)

Our Lord begins His public ministry by announcing the arrival of the Kingdom of God. What joyous news this is for all humanity to hear! Let us offer this decade for an increase in vocations that there might be many more priests and vowed religious who will joyfully proclaim this truth and bear witness to it with their lives. Lord God, your Word reaches to the ends of the earth. Send more ministers of that Word into the world to share the richness of your life with a world that so desperately needs it.

Our Father, Hail Mary (10x), Glory be…

After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; then from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them. (Mark 9:2-8)

Jesus strengthened the faith of His Apostles by allowing His divinity to be momentarily seen. He wished them to gain a heavenly perspective on His forthcoming Passion and Death. Let us offer this decade for all those who are being called as priests and religious that they may have the grace to recognize God’s call in the midst of life and courageously accept their call to pick up their cross and follow Him Lord God. In Jesus we see the fullness of your revelation to the world. Help us to remain fixed on His light and help those whom you call to the priesthood and consecrated life to reflect that light to the world.

 Our Father, Hail Mary (10x), Glory be…

While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many. Amen, I say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” (Mark 14:22-25)

It is the Eucharist that forms the Church into one body with Christ as its Head, and the Eucharist which fires our souls so that we can love each other and God with all the power of Divine charity. In the Eucharist we receive the fullness of God’s life and love; we taste heaven and are promised eternal life. We ask God to send more faithful servants of this mystery to serve in the Church and raise up new priests to renew this Sacrament of love. May God call many more men to share in the Priesthood and may they respond generously.

Then they came to a place named Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be troubled and distressed. Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch.” He advanced a little and fell to the ground and prayed that if it were possible the hour might pass by him; he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will.” (Mark 14:32-36)

Jesus asked His Apostles to pray “that you may not undergo the test.” Our Lord knew they needed to pray in order to endure what would soon happen. Let us offer this decade for those men and women whom God is calling to be priests and religious, that they might have a deep and abiding life of prayer. Through the strength given to them through their spiritual life may they respond courageously to God’s call.  Give to those who hear a call to priesthood and consecrated life the strength and courage to respond to your will generously and with love.

Our Father, Hail Mary (10x), Glory be…

Pilate then summoned the chief priests, the rulers, and the people and said to them, “You brought this man to me and accused him of inciting the people to revolt. I have conducted my investigation in your presence and have not found this man guilty of the charges you have brought against him, nor did Herod, for he sent him back to us. So no capital crime has been committed by him. Therefore, I shall have him flogged and then release him.” (Luke 23:13-16)

For our sake Jesus suffered and offered Himself to obtain our salvation. Let us offer this decade for the grace that many young people might feel the desire in their hearts to offer themselves to God as priests and religious. Lord, this world does not always understand the choice to sacrifice all for the sake of heaven. Assist those who are following a call to priesthood and consecrated life to endure the hardships that their generous gift of self can bring upon them.

Our Father, Hail Mary (10x), Glory be…

The soldiers wove a crown out of thorns and placed it on his head, and clothed him in a purple cloak, and they came to him and said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck him repeatedly. Once more Pilate went out and said to them, “Look, I am bringing him out to you, so that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak. And he said to them, “Behold, the man!” (John 19:2-5)

Jesus endured the terrible ridicule and mockery of the soldiers even to the point of accepting the painful crown of thorns. Let us offer this decade for those who have a calling to the priesthood or religious life but find it difficult to say “yes” because of fear or other painful obstacles in their lives. May peer pressure or concern over other people’s reactions never stand in their way of following God’s will. Lord, Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords. May those who hear your call to serve the King in lives of priesthood or consecrated life joyfully show forth the Kingdom of Heaven to all to whom they are sent.

Our Father, Hail Mary (10x), Glory be.

So, they took Jesus, and carrying the cross himself he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. (John 19:16-17)

On the way to Calvary, our Lord found comfort and assistance from a number of people: Simon of Cyrene, the women of Jerusalem, His Mother, and Veronica. How much those acts of love must have meant to Jesus! Let us offer this decade for the grace to always support, with our prayers and sacrifices, those whom God is calling to become priests and religious. Lord, Jesus calls us to pick up our crosses and follow Him. May those who follow Him in lives dedicated to the Church find the strength to continue in their fidelity and joyfully bear their crosses for His sake. Our Father, Hail Mary (10x), Glory be…

They brought him to the place of Golgotha (which is translated Place of the Skull). They gave him wine drugged with myrrh, but he did not take it. Then they crucified him and divided his garments by casting lots for them to see what each should take. It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. The inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” With him they crucified two revolutionaries, one on his right and one on his left. (Mark 15:22-27)

At the foot of the Cross, there came into existence a new type of family. Before Jesus died, He entrusted to the maternal care of Mary all of humanity, represented in the person of the “beloved disciple.” Through the New Covenant the notion of family is greatly enlarged, it takes on a different dimension. Let us offer this decade for those who are being called but are hesitant because of fears of not being able to have a family and living a lonely life. Help them, O Lord, to see that in serving You as a priest or religious, their desires forfamily will indeed be completely fulfilled. Inspire more young people to respond to your call to service in the Church with lives of total dedication to your People.

Our Father, Hail Mary (10x), Glory be…

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow. The guards were shaken with fear of him and became like dead men. Then the angel said to the women in reply, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.” (Matthew 28:1-7)

Our Lord’s Resurrection brought tremendous joy to His sorrowful followers. Never were their lives to be the same again. Let us offer this decade for an increase in grace in the hearts of those who are being called to be priests and religious. May they experience the immense joy of giving God their entire lives and saying “yes” to His call. Help them to realize that their unselfish response to God will change their lives forever. Help those who are called to make disciples of the nations to draw their strength and hope from the assurance that He lives and reigns forever.

 Our Father, Hail Mary (10x), Glory be …

When they had gathered together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He answered them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.” Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. (Acts 1:6-12)

Jesus ascended into Heaven, not to abandon us, but to be our hope. He continually intercedes for us before the throne of the Father and prepares a place for His faithful followers in the heavenly Kingdom. Let us offer this decade for an increase in the number of priests and religious to help us strive faithfully to attain our heavenly homeland. Heavenly Father, Jesus has promised to remain with His Church until the end of time. May those who are called to continue His work through the sacraments and holy witness be strengthened to carry out your will for the Church.

Our Father, Hail Mary (10x), Glory be…

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, “Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans?… yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.” (Acts 2:1-7,11)

The coming of the Holy Spirit transformed the timid Apostles into bold witnesses for the Gospel. The Church was sent forth with courage and zeal! Let us offer this decade for the gift of the Holy Spirit to come upon all He has chosen to labour as priests and religious. May they respond boldly to the invitation to lay down their lives for Christ and His Church.Heavenly Father continue to send forth your Spirit to renew in your Church the call to serve you in the priesthood and consecrated life. May that Holy Spirit always be active in our lives.

Our Father, Hail Mary (10x), Glory be…

A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she laboured to give birth. Then another sign appeared in the sky; it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on its heads were seven diadems. Its tail swept away a third of the stars in the sky and hurled them down to the earth. Then the dragon stood before the woman about to give birth, to devour her child when she gave birth. She gave birth to a son, a male child, destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod. Her child was caught up to God and his throne. The woman herself fled into the desert where she had a place prepared by God, that there she might be taken care of for twelve hundred and sixty days. (Revelation 12:1-6)

The Second Vatican Council reminded us that Mary’s role in salvation history did not end with her Assumption into Heaven. She continually intercedes for all of us, her children, as we journey through life. Let us offer this decade asking Mary’s intercession. Through her prayers may the Church be granted an abundance of vocations to the priesthood and religious life.Heavenly Father help us to realize that you have a plan for each of our lives and that our happiness lies in discovering and following that plan

Our Father, Hail Mary (10x), Glory be…

And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my saviour. For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” (Luke 1:46-55)

This mystery brings before us the beauty of the faithfulness of Mary, the first disciple of the Lord. She who referred to herself as the “handmaid of the Lord” is now exalted far above even the Angels. The one who said “yes” to God in all things is now the Queen of heaven and earth. Let us offer this decade for those who have been called that they may always have the grace to understand that to serve God is to reign with Him. Whatever sacrifices need to be made in order to live the mission God gives us will pale in comparison to the glory He has reserved for His faithful servants.Heavenly Father, it is in humility that we discover how truly great our vocations are. Help us to serve you in humble ways so that others may see your light, rather than our own. Our Father, Hail Mary (10x), Glory be…