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Sunday Prayers & Reading
Daily Vocation Prayers
(Personal & Family Prayers for Vocations during the Year of Faith)
Holy God, + Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, + and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; Lord, cleanse us of our sins; Master, forgive our transgressions; Holy One, come to us and heal our infirmities for your name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, + and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. 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.
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, + have mercy on us. Response: Amen.
O Savior, You called the fishermen and they immediately left their nets to follow You. * Your voice resounds with authority, * "Make disciples of all nations, * teach them to carry out everything I have commanded." * Give us today zealous workers for your kingdom to reap the harvest of faith; * for You provide always for your beloved Church.
Glory to the Father, + and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
O holy Virgin, Mother of God, * with confidence you told those at the wedding of Cana, * "Do whatever my Son tells you." * Ask Him to provide an abundance of vocations for the Church.
Next, it is fitting to read from holy scripture. The following passages are suggested:
Sunday + The Call of Abraham
Genesis 17:1-8,15-20
The Sign of the Covenant
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said to him, ‘I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless.And I will make my covenant between me and you, and will make you exceedingly numerous.’ Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, ‘As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. And I will give to you, and to your offspring after you, the land where you are now an alien, all the land of Canaan, for a perpetual holding; and I will be their God.’
God said to Abraham, ‘As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and moreover I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall give rise to nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.’ Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said to himself, ‘Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?’And Abraham said to God, ‘O that Ishmael might live in your sight!’ God said, ‘No, but your wife Sarah shall bear you a son, and you shall name him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him. As for Ishmael, I have heard you; I will bless him and make him fruitful and exceedingly numerous; he shall be the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.
Then, continue to pray:
Lord, have mercy, (twelve times)
SUN (Prayer for Vocations)
Lord our God, You are older than all creation, and have made us in your image and likeness. You gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter and Spirit of Truth, to be with us always, to give to your Church all the gifts needed for sanctification. Today we humbly beg You, grant us an abundance of vocations to your holy priesthood, to the diaconate in Christ, and to the consecrated life. Do not leave your church deprived of spiritual gifts. Open our hearts to hear the words of your invitation, "Come, follow me." Give to your Church servants ready to follow You with zeal and courage. Give to your Church servants who, in their weakness, have received the Spirit of wisdom and understanding. Give to your Church servants ready to lead and to serve, to teach and to comfort, to give of themselves and to receive a heavenly reward. Indeed, do not leave us orphans, but be with us through your Holy Spirit, who is present everywhere and fills all things, and who raises up mere mortals to divine service in love of your people, the Church. For You alone are holy and the giver of sanctification, always, now and ever and forever. Amen.
Monday Prayers & Reading
Daily Vocation Prayers
(Personal & Family Prayers for Vocations during the Year of Faith)
Holy God, + Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, + and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; Lord, cleanse us of our sins; Master, forgive our transgressions; Holy One, come to us and heal our infirmities for your name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, + and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. 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.
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, + have mercy on us. Response: Amen.
O Savior, You called the fishermen and they immediately left their nets to follow You. * Your voice resounds with authority, * "Make disciples of all nations, * teach them to carry out everything I have commanded." * Give us today zealous workers for your kingdom to reap the harvest of faith; * for You provide always for your beloved Church.
Glory to the Father, + and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
O holy Virgin, Mother of God, * with confidence you told those at the wedding of Cana, * "Do whatever my Son tells you." * Ask Him to provide an abundance of vocations for the Church.
Next, it is fitting to read from holy scripture. The following passages are suggested:
Monday + The Call of Moses
Exodus 3:1-14
Moses at the Burning Bush
Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, ‘I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.’ When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, ‘Moses, Moses!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ Then he said, ‘Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.’ He said further, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
Then the Lord said, ‘I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. The cry of the Israelites has now come to me; I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them. So come, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.’ But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’ He said, ‘I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain.’
The Divine Name Revealed
But Moses said to God, ‘If I come to the Israelites and say to them, “The God of your ancestors has sent me to you”, and they ask me, “What is his name?” what shall I say to them?’ God said to Moses, ‘I am who I am.’He said further, ‘Thus you shall say to the Israelites, “I am has sent me to you.” ’
Then, continue to pray:
Lord, have mercy, (twelve times)
MON (Prayer for Priests)
Lord our God, in your goodness, fill all of your ordained priests with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Help them to keep their lives constantly centered on you. Remember in your kingdom those priests dearest to us: the priests who baptized and chrismated us; the priests who give us your holy body and blood in the Divine Eucharist; the priests who bring us your absolution in the holy mystery of penance; the priests who teach and instruct us; and all the priests to whom we are indebted in other ways, especially (add names here). Keep them close to your heart, and grant that each may receive the reward of good stewardship in his office, at the second coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For You are blessed and glorified now and ever and forever. Amen.
Tuesday Prayers & Reading
Daily Vocation Prayers
(Personal & Family Prayers for Vocations during the Year of Faith)
Holy God, + Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, + and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; Lord, cleanse us of our sins; Master, forgive our transgressions; Holy One, come to us and heal our infirmities for your name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, + and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. 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.
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, + have mercy on us. Response: Amen.
O Savior, You called the fishermen and they immediately left their nets to follow You. * Your voice resounds with authority, * "Make disciples of all nations, * teach them to carry out everything I have commanded." * Give us today zealous workers for your kingdom to reap the harvest of faith; * for You provide always for your beloved Church.
Glory to the Father, + and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
O holy Virgin, Mother of God, * with confidence you told those at the wedding of Cana, * "Do whatever my Son tells you." * Ask Him to provide an abundance of vocations for the Church.
Next, it is fitting to read from holy scripture. The following passages are suggested:
Tuesday + The Call of Samuel
I Samuel 3:1-10
Samuel’s Calling and Prophetic Activity
Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.
At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ and he said, ‘Here I am!’ and ran to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ But he said, ‘I did not call; lie down again.’ So he went and lay down. The Lord called again, ‘Samuel!’ Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ But he said, ‘I did not call, my son; lie down again.’ Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, ‘Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” ’ So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’
Then, continue to pray:
Lord, have mercy, (twelve times)
TUES (Prayer for Seminarians)
Holy Fathers and Equals to the Apostles, Cyril and Methodius, teachers of the Slavic people and patrons of our Byzantine Catholic Seminary, we place our Seminarians and all students for holy orders in your loving care. Help them to grow in humility, meekness, and prudence. Enkindle in them a burning zeal for souls. May their hearts be filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and may they learn to know and love the Church so that they may always and everywhere think, speak, and act with her, the glorious Spouse of Christ. May they become exemplars of generosity and detachment from the things of this world. But above all, O Venerable Patrons, help them to truly know, love, and serve the Eternal High Priest, our Lord Jesus Christ, whose priests they are called to be. Amen.
Wednesday Prayers & Reading
Daily Vocation Prayers
(Personal & Family Prayers for Vocations during the Year of Faith)
Holy God, + Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, + and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; Lord, cleanse us of our sins; Master, forgive our transgressions; Holy One, come to us and heal our infirmities for your name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, + and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. 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.
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, + have mercy on us. Response: Amen.
O Savior, You called the fishermen and they immediately left their nets to follow You. * Your voice resounds with authority, * "Make disciples of all nations, * teach them to carry out everything I have commanded." * Give us today zealous workers for your kingdom to reap the harvest of faith; * for You provide always for your beloved Church.
Glory to the Father, + and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
O holy Virgin, Mother of God, * with confidence you told those at the wedding of Cana, * "Do whatever my Son tells you." * Ask Him to provide an abundance of vocations for the Church.
Next, it is fitting to read from holy scripture. The following passages are suggested:
Wednesday + The Call of Isaiah
Isaiah 6:1-9
A Vision of God in the Temple
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. And one called to another and said:
‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory.’
The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke. And I said: ‘Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!’
Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: ‘Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.’ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I; send me!’ And he said, ‘Go and say to this people:
“Keep listening, but do not comprehend;
keep looking, but do not understand.”
Then, continue to pray:
Lord, have mercy, (twelve times)
WED (Prayer for Monastics)
Most glorious and ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of God, the Word was made flesh in your womb. Help us to be open to the Word of God so that, having welcomed it, received it, and meditated upon it, it may grow in our hearts. Help us to live, like you, in the spirit of the Beatitudes and to dedicate ourselves with unceasing charity to evangelizing all those who seek your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Intercede in behalf of those whom your Son has called to share his gospel as modern day prophets. Be a constant source of strength and protection to our nuns and monks and all those in the religious life. Grant that they may serve every person in purity and that, having heard and kept the Word of God, they may be living witnesses to the eternal kingdom. Amen.
Thursday Prayers & Reading
Daily Vocation Prayers
(Personal & Family Prayers for Vocations during the Year of Faith)
Holy God, + Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, + and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; Lord, cleanse us of our sins; Master, forgive our transgressions; Holy One, come to us and heal our infirmities for your name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, + and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. 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.
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, + have mercy on us. Response: Amen.
O Savior, You called the fishermen and they immediately left their nets to follow You. * Your voice resounds with authority, * "Make disciples of all nations, * teach them to carry out everything I have commanded." * Give us today zealous workers for your kingdom to reap the harvest of faith; * for You provide always for your beloved Church.
Glory to the Father, + and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
O holy Virgin, Mother of God, * with confidence you told those at the wedding of Cana, * "Do whatever my Son tells you." * Ask Him to provide an abundance of vocations for the Church.
Next, it is fitting to read from holy scripture. The following passages are suggested:
Thursday + The Call of the Mary
Luke 1:26-38
The Birth of Jesus Foretold
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.
Then, continue to pray:
Lord, have mercy, (twelve times)
THURS (Prayer for Deacons)
Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior and High Priest, in your love for your people, You assumed human nature in order to teach us and lead us to your heavenly kingdom. In your providential love, You called your servant Stephen to labor in your spiritual vineyard as a deacon and to give his life as a witness to your gospel of sacrificial love. Today, in this time of need for dedicated and hard-working clergy, we seek the prayers and intercession of the Holy Apostle, First Martyr, and Archdeacon Stephen. Knowing his love for You and the Church, we are confident of his heavenly intercession. We pray You, grant the favor of your graces through his intercession. We hope that our (arch)eparchy will benefit from his prayers and will be graced with an increasing number of dedicated deacons after the model of the Holy Martyr Stephen and all the saintly deacons. May our ordained men, especially those in the order of the diaconate, continue to look to Saint Stephen as a model of their sacrificial service. May they love one another, be kind and charitable to the poor and those in need, and be filled with zeal for each soul. You show us the perfect example of service and love, O Christ our God, and we glorify You, always, now and ever and forever. Amen.
Friday Prayers & Reading
Daily Vocation Prayers
(Personal & Family Prayers for Vocations during the Year of Faith)
Holy God, + Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, + and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; Lord, cleanse us of our sins; Master, forgive our transgressions; Holy One, come to us and heal our infirmities for your name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, + and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. 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.
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, + have mercy on us. Response: Amen.
O Savior, You called the fishermen and they immediately left their nets to follow You. * Your voice resounds with authority, * "Make disciples of all nations, * teach them to carry out everything I have commanded." * Give us today zealous workers for your kingdom to reap the harvest of faith; * for You provide always for your beloved Church.
Glory to the Father, + and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
O holy Virgin, Mother of God, * with confidence you told those at the wedding of Cana, * "Do whatever my Son tells you." * Ask Him to provide an abundance of vocations for the Church.
Next, it is fitting to read from holy scripture. The following passages are suggested:
Friday + The Call of Peter
John 21:18-19
Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.’ (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, ‘Follow me.’
Then, continue to pray:
Lord, have mercy, (twelve times)
FRI (Prayer for the Baptized)
Lord God, in baptism we died and rose with You and You called us by name and made us members of your people - the Church. We praise You for your goodness. We thank You for your gifts. Now bless your Church with love. Raise up from our families and friends dedicated and generous leaders who will be your hands, your feet, and your voice serving as spiritual fathers, brothers, and sisters. Send the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen us that we may serve your people while taking up the cross, daily, and following in your footsteps. Amen.
Saturday Prayers & Reading
Daily Vocation Prayers
(Personal & Family Prayers for Vocations during the Year of Faith)
Holy God, + Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, + and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; Lord, cleanse us of our sins; Master, forgive our transgressions; Holy One, come to us and heal our infirmities for your name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, + and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. 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.
Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, + have mercy on us. Response: Amen.
O Savior, You called the fishermen and they immediately left their nets to follow You. * Your voice resounds with authority, * "Make disciples of all nations, * teach them to carry out everything I have commanded." * Give us today zealous workers for your kingdom to reap the harvest of faith; * for You provide always for your beloved Church.
Glory to the Father, + and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
O holy Virgin, Mother of God, * with confidence you told those at the wedding of Cana, * "Do whatever my Son tells you." * Ask Him to provide an abundance of vocations for the Church.
Next, it is fitting to read from holy scripture. The following passages are suggested:
Saturday + The Call of Paul
Acts 9:1-22
The Conversion of Saul
Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ He asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The reply came, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.’The men who were travelling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, ‘Ananias.’ He answered, ‘Here I am, Lord.’ The Lord said to him, ‘Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.’ But Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.’ But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.’ So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Saul Preaches in Damascus
For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is the Son of God.’ All who heard him were amazed and said, ‘Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem among those who invoked this name? And has he not come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?’ Saul became increasingly more powerful and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Messiah.
Then, continue to pray:
Lord, have mercy, (twelve times)
SAT (Prayer for Discernment)
Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ, You walked the streets of Palestine spreading the word of peace and repentance. You sent the Holy Spirit upon your holy disciples and apostles to strengthen them for service in the Church. With the help of your grace, they responded to uncertainty with faith, to hardship with courage, and to the needs of others with selfless service. As we are called to love one another as You have first loved us, we ask that You continue to impart the gifts of wisdom and counsel to all your faithful. Bless us with happy marriages and holy families. Enkindle in those whom You have called to serve the Church the fire of your zeal and compassion. Give us hearts ready to see, hear, and joyfully respond to the needs of others. Grant us fidelity, fortitude, patience, and obedience. Let me be attentive and open to the possibility of increasing my service to the Church. Grant that I be one with You so that, through my daily work, I may become an instrument of your peace, freedom, and love. For You are our God and we worship and glorify You always, now and ever and forever. Amen.
Eastern Vocations Event in Washington, DC