This Sunday, May 3rd will be the 57th Day of Prayer for Vocations.

The concept of Vocation – the God who calls us – is the business of the whole Christian people, from our baptism to our earthly death.

Vocations can include specific roles within the church: priesthood, the permanent diaconate, and religious life. There are also those opportunities for Christian service which arise within marriage, the single life, and widowhood; at our work, in the home, and the local parish.

Although this year we cannot celebrate the Day of Prayer for Vocations in our parishes, you can still take part at home with some resources prepared by the Vocations team.

This year Pope Francis has chosen to reflect upon Jesus' call for Peter to walk across the water during the storm. He offers a very beautiful reflection on vocation, which seems very apt in our current circumstances.

With the closure of the seminaries, all but one of our 11 seminarians are currently in presbyteries around the diocese, continuing their formation online. You may have seen one or two of them featured in the various live-streamed Masses. 

There are also 14 men who continue their formation for the permanent diaconate. Please continue to keep them all in your prayers.

Although many events are uncertain at the moment, we are praying that we will be able to celebrate the ordination of four new priests for the Archdiocese on 18th July. Please keep Clive Dytor, Sean Gough, Alex Taylor and Benedict Skipper in your prayers.  

Download Prayer Card to print and pray

Pope Francis refers to Matthew 14:22-33 when Jesus walks on the water. The text is written for you here.

Download the Biblical Text

Pope Francis says:

"Dear friends, on this day in particular, but also in the ordinary pastoral life of our communities, I ask the Church to continue to promote vocations.

"May she touch the hearts of the faithful and enable each of them to discover with gratitude God’s call in their lives, to find courage to say “yes” to God, to overcome all weariness through faith in Christ, and to make of their lives a song of praise for God, for their brothers and sisters, and for the whole world.

"May the Virgin Mary accompany us and intercede for us."

Read the Pope's Full Letter

The Diocesan Vocations team has also created a letter for young people, with the Pope's words.

Download the letter for young people

Praying the Rosary for vocations

Rosary Prayers for Vocations

Find further resources, prayers and testimonies from CBCEW

Vocations Sunday resources

Mass is livestreamed from St Chad's Cathedral every day. On Sundays Mass is 11am. 

St Chad's Cathedral Live Stream

Support Clergy Training

You can set up donations to the Clergy Training Fund, to support the training of our clergy and seminarians- just check the relevant option for single donate, or set up a standing order.

Support the CTF via Diocesan Giving