Pray for Vocations on World Day of Prayer for Vocations on April 26, 2026

Posted on April 16, 2026

“A vocation is not a fixed point, but a dynamic process of maturation sustained by intimacy with our Lord. To grow in one’s vocation means being with Jesus, allowing the Holy Spirit to act in our hearts and in the circumstances of life, and reinterpreting everything in light of this gift.” — Pope Leo XIV

Click here to read the first World Day of Prayer message of Pope Leo XIV’s papacy, in which he says that every vocation is “a path of beauty.”

The purpose of World Day of Prayer for Vocations on April 26, 2026, which is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday, is to publicly fulfill the Lord’s instruction to “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest” (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2). As a climax to a prayer that is continually offered throughout the Church, it affirms the primacy of faith and grace in all that concerns vocations to the priesthood and to the consecrated life. While appreciating all vocations, the Church concentrates its attention this day on vocations to the ordained ministries (priesthood and diaconate), consecrated life in all its forms (male and female religious life, societies of apostolic life, consecrated virginity), secular institutes in their diversity of services and membership, and to the missionary life.

At the Basilica, parishioners are invited to participate in the Vocations Crucifix Program, an initiative to pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. You will have the opportunity to host a blessed crucifix for one week at a time, praying each day for vocations around the world, especially in our parish and diocese. If you are interested in being a part of our Vocations Crucifix program, please sign up at stmaryoldtown.org/vocations-cross.

The Diocesan Office of Vocations can help you explore your vocation with events and other resources: vocations@arlingtondiocese.org. Contact: Fr. Noah Morey, Director of Vocations: noah.morey@arlingtondiocese.org

In addition, please check out these other vocation resources: