A novena inspired from Pope John Paul II - Day Eight

Day Eight

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
from the XXXXI World Day of Prayer for Vocations

May all Christian communities become “authentic schools of prayer”, where one prays that laborers may not be lacking in the vast field of apostolic work. It then becomes necessary that the Church accompany with constant spiritual attention those whom God has called and who “follow the Lamb wherever He goes”(Rv14:4): I refer to priests, religious, hermits, consecrated virgins, members of secular institutes - in short, all those who have received the gift of vocation and carry “this treasure in earthen vessels(IICor4:7). In the Mystical Body of Christ there is a wide variety of ministries and charisms, all of them meant for the sanctification of the Christian people. In the reciprocal attention for holiness, which must animate every member of the Church, it is necessary to pray so that those “called” remain faithful to their vocation and reach the highest possible degree of evangelical perfection.

We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God; despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.

Pause for a moment to ask for Pope John Paul’s intercession.

Please pray the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Glory Be.

Prayer
We pray to You, Jesus,
for our brothers and sisters who have
answered “yes” to Your call to the priesthood,
to the consecrated life and to the missions.
May their lives be renewed each day by
day, to become a living Gospel.
Merciful and holy Lord,
continue to send new laborers
into the harvest of Your Kingdom!
Assist those whom You call
to follow You in our day;
contemplating Your face,
may they respond with joy
to the wondrous mission
that You entrust to them
for the good of Your People
and of all men and women.
You who are God and live and reign
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
for ever and ever. Amen.