58th World Day of Prayer for Vocations

By Amy Marinaro 

On Sunday, April 25, the Church celebrates World Day of Prayer for Vocations. While recognizing the beauty and importance of every vocation, there is also an emphasis this day on praying for those who are called to the priesthood and religious life.

Since discernment is a lifelong, personal process, it looks different for every person and for every stage of life. Reflecting on their own ongoing processes of discernment, Deacon Steve DeMaio and Br. Joshua Sciullo share some advice for how God spoke (and continues to speak) to them when they were discerning.

Deacon Steve shares: “My discernment has been all about paying attention and listening to God's voice through the various people I have met along the way. Looking back on my life, I recognize so many moments where the right person was placed in my path to challenge, accompany and encourage me to be open to God's will.”

Br. Josh adds his own reflection: “I am striving daily to discern the will of God. In the first part it was in regard to where or in what form he wants me to serve. Now it is in regard to what manner I am to live this particular service.”

Specifically, in this Year of St. Joseph, the Church is invited by Pope Francis to view every vocation in terms of St. Joseph and his own calling. This is emphasized in the Pope’s message for the 2021 World Day of Vocations, which can be viewed on the Vatican’s website.

This view of vocation through the lens of the person and experience of St. Joseph encourages those who are discerning and those who have already found their vocations. Br. Ky Nguyen reflects: 
 

“St. Joseph does know that Mary is pregnant by the Holy Spirit (Matt 1:18), and so, being just, he is reverent before this divine mystery and thinks he has no more role to play in Mary's life. Like David before the Ark of the Covenant (2 Sam 6), Joseph, who is called “son of David,” is afraid. He thus decides to separate from her and does so secretly. The evidence of this reflection is that the angel does not tell Joseph “do not be mad because Mary is pregnant,” but “do not be afraid.” Like St. Joseph, many times in my life, I was afraid to move forward because I think I am not worthy of the call to the priesthood and wanted to walk away from the vocation. The story of St. Joseph invites me to take courage, not to be afraid to care for young people who will be entrusted to my care.”

It is also important to note that St. Joseph is a beautiful example to refer young people to for discerning all vocations: priesthood, religious life, marriage, and single life. As someone who has personally discerned my own vocation to marriage, St. Joseph serves as an example to me of the understanding, selfless, God-centered love to which we are called in married life. By receiving and giving this kind of love, like St. Joseph, we too are invited to witness the Incarnation of Christ in our own vocations. 

May St. Joseph pray for all young people who are discerning their vocations, especially to the priesthood and religious life!