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Treasures of the Church-
Devotions-Holy Hour for Vocations |
Holy hour
for vocations
From the Office of
Vocations, Diocese of Fall River
I. Exposition of
the Blessed Sacrament
Gathering Song
A suitable song may be sung while the celebrant brings the Blessed
Sacrament to the altar and, placing it in the monstrance, kneels and
incenses the Holy Eucharist. Then all go to their places.
Greeting
Leader: Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who
in his great mercy gave us new birth into the living hope by the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. May God’s name be
blessed forever.
All: Blessed be God forever.
Leader: Gathered together in the name of Christ Jesus, as brothers
and sisters, let us pray that we may be open to receiving the Lord
in our hearts and remain faithful to his command of love.
All: Almighty and eternal God, in Christ your Son you have shown
your glory to the world. Guide the work of your Church: help it to
proclaim your name, to persevere in faith, and to bring your
salvation to people everywhere. Grant to each of us your holy love,
humble trust, and perseverance to the end. We ask this through
Christ our Lord. Amen.
II. Celebrating God's Word
The following readings, or other Scripture passages, may be read.
Psalm
Psalm 89
Reader: I will sing for ever your love, O Lord;
Through all ages my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”;
Of this I am sure, that your love lasts forever.
All: “With my chosen one, I have made a covenant;
I have sworn to David my servant:
I will establish your dynasty forever
and set up your throne through all ages.”
Reader: The heavens proclaim your wonders, O Lord;
The assembly of your holy ones proclaims your truth.
For who in the skies can compare with the Lord
Or who is like the Lord among the children of God?
All: A God to be feared in the council of the holy ones,
Great and awesome to all.
O Lord God of hosts, who is your equal?
You are mighty, O Lord, and truth is your garment.
Reader: It is you who rule the sea in its pride;
It is you who still the surging of its waves.
You crushed the monster Rahab and killed it,
Scattering your foes with your mighty arm.
All: The heavens are yours, the world is yours.
It is you who founded the earth and all it holds;
It is you who created the North and the South.
Tabor and Hermon shout with joy at your name.
Reader: Happy the people who know the joyful shout;
Who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face,
Who find their joy every day in your name.
For you are the splendor of their strength,
And by your favor our might is exalted.
Song
A suitable song may be sung between readings.
Gospel
Matthew 9:35-38
A brief reflection, or quiet time, may follow.
III. Blessing the Bounty of the Lord
"So ask the Master of the Harvest to send out laborers for his
harvest."
Leader: Lord Jesus, You said: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes
to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never
thirst. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I
will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from
heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me.”
Encouraged by your works, Lord Jesus, we pray:
All: O Lord, how glorious is your name over all the earth! Your
majesty is exalted above the heavens. I will give praise and thanks
to you, O Lord, with all my heart. I will declare your wondrous
deeds to all people. I will be glad and exult in you.
Reader: Let us remember God’s many blessings upon us, the Church of
Fall River, and our parish community. Let us give thanks and praise
to Christ present in the Eucharist, for the great love he gives to
all people through his ministers. Let us pray...
All: We give you thanks and praise, O Lord!
Reader: We praise and thank you, Jesus, because you desired to
perpetuate your Presence in the sacrament of the Eucharist and
instituted the priesthood to manifest your love for all.
All: We give you thanks and praise, O Lord!
Reader: Lord Jesus, we praise and thank you because you still call
men and women to the contemplative life which is a sign of the
primacy of your Father’s kingdom and of his justice.
All: We give you thanks and praise, O Lord!
Reader: Jesus, we praise and thank you because you show your mercy
and compassion to us in our need through the men and women of
consecrated life who, in your name, offer their lives to serve their
brothers and sisters.
All: We give you thanks and praise, O Lord!
Reader: Loving Jesus, we praise and thank you because during your
earthly life you sanctified daily work and the joys and sorrows of
daily life. In our days, you give us this witness through those who
consecrate their lives to you.
All: We give you thanks and praise, O Lord!
Reader: We thank you, Jesus, for you were the first Missionary sent
by the Father to bring salvation to every human being. Through the
missionaries in the Church today, you make your word known in our
world.
All: We give you thanks and praise, O Lord!
Reader: Through Baptism you give your life to all who believe. Make
all Christians a life-giving leaven that our world may experience
peace and justice.
All: We give you thanks and praise, O Lord!
Reader: We thank you, Lord, for our own local Church, the Diocese of
Fall River. You have called us to spread the Good News to the people
in this portion of your vineyard. By your grace, strengthen us for
the Church’s mission.
All: We give you thanks and praise, O Lord!
Reader: We thank you, Lord, for our first bishop, William Stang,
whom you gave to us as a model of charity, dedication and service.
You continue to give us dedicated shepherds as examples to guide us
on our way to your kingdom.
All: We give you thanks and praise, O Lord!
Leader: Together in faith we pray...
All: Good and gracious God, through baptism you have called us and
have sent us to bring the Good News of salvation to all people. We
pray you to grant us more priests and religious to build up your
Church. Inspire young men and women to give themselves totally to
the work of Christ and his Church. Amen.
Song
A suitable song, or silent reflection may follow.
IV. Litany for Vocations
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your followers: “Whatever you
ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in
the Son. If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.” Trusting in
the promise, we pray for the needs of the Church.
Reader: Jesus, the Most High, from your holy people call more
deacons, priests and religious,
All: We ask you Lord, hear us and send laborers to your harvest.
Reader: Jesus, true Shepherd, form young people to follow you in
love and give their lives in service to the Church...
All: We ask you Lord, hear us and send laborers to your harvest.
Reader: Jesus, you are the eternal high Priest, send holy and
dedicated priests to serve your people in faith...
All: We ask you Lord, hear us and send laborers to your harvest.
Reader: Jesus, as the Son of Mary you shared in our joys and
sorrows, open the hearts of women and men to hear your call and
consecrate their lives to your service...
All: We ask you Lord, hear us and send laborers to your harvest.
Reader: Lord, you have made us a priestly people and a holy nation,
make all of us living witnesses to your word, living temples in
which a spiritual sacrifice is offered each day...
All: We ask you Lord, hear us and send laborers to your harvest.
Reader: Jesus, crucified on the cross you gave your life for us,
grant to this local church of Fall River ministers who will spend
themselves in service to their brothers and sisters...
All: We ask you Lord, hear us and send laborers to your harvest.
Reader: Jesus, the Word of God through Whom all things were created,
send men and women eager to bring your word as missionaries of the
Church...
All: We ask you Lord, hear us and send laborers to your harvest.
Reader: Lord, your disciples heard your invitation, “Follow Me”, let
young men and women of this time and place be touched by the power
of your word...
All: We ask you Lord, hear us and send laborers to your harvest.
Leader: Lord God, you want all people to be saved and to attain the
knowledge of truth. Look at your great harvest. Send many and holy
laborers so that the Gospel may be announced to every creature. May
your people, gathered by the Word of life and strengthened by the
sacraments, proceed on the way to salvation through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Song
A suitable song, or silent reflection.
Leader: In the quiet of our hearts, let us offer to God a prayer for
an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
(pause) Together let us pray...
All: Heavenly Father, your divine Son taught us to pray to the Lord
of the harvest to send laborers into the vineyard. We earnestly beg
you to bless our diocese of Fall River and our world with many
priests and religious who will generously spend their lives in
service to the Church under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We
pray that their lives may be always centered on our Lord in the
Eucharist; that they may be faithful and devoted servants in making
you known and loved. Bless our families and our children and choose
from among them those whom you desire for this holy work. We ask
this in Jesus' name. Amen.
V. Prayer for Parents and Families
“Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on
the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine,
you are the branches.”
Leader: Jesus taught his disciples the mystery of the kingdom of God
using parables. As we hear the word , let us reflect on those whom
God has given us to care and nurture.
Reader: Mark 4:1-8
Reflection
There may be a period of silent reflection, or suitable song.
Leader: Christ has invited us to cooperate and share in his
redemptive work by living lives of holiness. This call is a special
invitation to be examples of faith to the young who seek direction
and guidance. Let us pray for them and for those entrusted to care
for them.
All: Loving God, through the intercession of the Holy Family of
Nazareth, we ask your blessing on all parents and families. Grant
that your grace may guide their thoughts and actions.
VI. The Lord's Prayer for Vocation
by Blessed Hannibal DiFrancia
Reader: Our Father, who art in heaven,
All: You have promised not to leave us orphans. Send your holy
ministers of salvation to give us the Spirit through the food of
faith and charity.
Reader: Hallowed be thy name,
All: Through your chosen ministers filled with your Holy Spirit, may
you be made known and loved by all people on earth.
Reader: Thy Kingdom come,
All: And may it be built by your faithful ministers through the
sanctity of their lives, their burning zeal for your glory and the
salvation of all.
Reader: Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven,
All: Eternal Father, do not cease to provide your Church with your
holy ministers who teach all people your holy law.
Reader: Give us this day our daily bread,
All: The bread of grace which nourishes us through your sacraments.
Enrich your Church with chosen ministers who bring your sanctifying
grace to all men and women.
Reader: And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who
trespass against us.
All: Send your people, Lord, chosen and faithful priests who by the
sacrament of reconciliation bring back to you numerous hearts in
need of your forgiveness.
Reader: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
All: Lord, if our sins have deprived us of your friendship we ask
you: send your ministers of mercy among us. With personal zeal and
sacrifice may they keep our souls from sin and lead us to
sanctification and eternal salvation. Amen.
Song
A suitable song, or silent reflection.
VII. Benediction
As the assembly sings, the celebrant incenses the Holy Eucharist.
Song
Humbly Let Us Voice Our Homage
1. Tantum ergo Sacramentum
Veneremur cernui,
Et antiquum documentum
Novo cedat ritui;
Praestet fides supplementum,
Sensuum defectui.
2. Genitori Genitoque
Laus et jubilatio,
Salus, honor, virtus quoque
Sit et benedictio:
Procedenti ab utroque
compar sit laudatio. Amen.
1. Humbly let us voice our homage
for so great a sacrament;
Let all former rites surrender
To the Lord’s New Testament;
What the senses fail to fathom,
Let us grasp through faith’s consent!
2. Glory, honor, adoration
Let us sing with one accord!
Praised be God, almighty Father;
Praised be Christ, his Son, our Lord;
Praised be God the Holy Spirit;
Triune Godhead, be adored! Amen.
Celebrant: You have given us bread from heaven,
All: having all sweetness within it.
Celebrant: Let us pray. Lord Jesus Christ, you gave us the Eucharist
as the memorial of your suffering and death. May our worship of this
sacrament of your Body and Blood, help us to experience the
salvation you won for us, and the peace of the kingdom, where you
live with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
The Divine Praises
Blessed be God. Blessed be his Holy Name. Blessed be Jesus Christ,
true God and true man. Blessed be the Name of Jesus. Blessed be his
most Sacred heart. Blessed be his most Precious Blood. Blessed be
Jesus in the most Holy Sacrifice of the Altar. Blessed be the Holy
Spirit, the Paraclete. Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most
holy. Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception. Blessed be her
glorious Assumption. Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.
Blessed be Saint Joseph, her most chaste spouse. Blessed be God in
his angels and in his saints.
Song
A suitable closing song may be sung.
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