Archbishop calls for prayers for vocations as at least one diocese celebrates surge in numbers

Southwark has nine men in formation, the highest number in 12 years.

In his first pastoral letter since moving to Westminster, for Good Shepherd Sunday this weekend, Archbishop Richard Moth has called on Catholics to pray urgently for vocations to the priesthood, as well as to give thanks for those already serving and supporting those in formation.

He asked every parish in the diocese to hold weekly Holy Hours and to promote the Rosary for vocations in the lead-up to Pentecost.

“The ministry of the priest is one of service,” said Archbishop Moth. “It is important for us all – in our parish communities, schools and homes – to foster time for such prayer and support those whom the Lord calls to share in His priesthood.”

In Southwark, celebrating the highest number of Seminarians in 12 years with nine men in formation and a further six being considered to begin formation next year, vocations director Fr Paul Kyne also urged, “We rely on the prayers and generosity of people… to continue promoting vocations and funding the formation of our future priests. Please continue to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.”

Pope Leo XIV, in his message for Sunday, designated the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, said, “I invite everyone – in families, parishes and religious communities, as well as bishops, priests, deacons, catechists, educators and all the faithful – to commit themselves more fully to creating conditions that allow this gift to be embraced, nourished, protected and accompanied, so that it may bear abundant fruit.

“Only when our surroundings are illumined by living faith, sustained by constant prayer and enriched by fraternal accompaniment can God’s call blossom and mature, becoming a path of happiness and salvation for individuals and for the world. By embarking on the path that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, shows us, we come to know more deeply both ourselves and the God who calls us.”

In Kilkenny in Ossory diocese, the Vocations Mass at Saint Canice’s will be broadcast live on RTÉ One, and online on the RTÉ Player, at 11.00am. The Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, chair of the Bishops’ Council for Vocations, and he will be assisted by Father Willie Purcell, National Vocations Coordinator and Parish Priest of Saint Canice’s Parish.

Seminarians from Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, religious from the Diocese of Ossory and many individuals involved in vocations promotion will be there.

Ahead of the Mass, Bishop Ger Nash, Apostolic Administrator of Ossory, said, “It is a great privilege to welcome the Mass for Vocations Sunday to Saint Canice’s Church, situated in the historic heart of Kilkenny City. It is also a privilege to welcome all those joining the Parish of Saint Canice’s from their homes, praying with us through the broadcast provided by RTÉ, and produced by Scratch Films.

“Saint Canice’s is a beautiful church, and I hope that, as parishioners and viewers at home lift their hearts to God in praise, they will be enriched by the experience. We are praying for vocations on this Good Shepherd Sunday and, in doing so, it is important to remember that all our vocations are interconnected, rooted in our common Baptism.”

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