Vocation Sunday - 3 May 2020

The Fourth Sunday of the Easter Season, known as Good Shepherd Sunday, is the international World day of Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life. Although we remain in lockdown, we are encouraged to pray for Vocations. We pray for all who have heard God’s invitation to ordained ministry and religious life, most especially those who are on their formation journey to ordination or solemn profession. We also pray for all those who are discerning if God is calling them or who have yet to recognise His call.

Pope Francis has written a message for Vocations Sunday, entitled ‘Words of Vocation’ - click here for the full text in English.

He reflects on the ‘the remarkable experience of Jesus and Peter during a stormy night on the Sea of Galilee’ from St Matthew's Gospel (14:22-33), using the image of the disciples crossing the lake to evoke our own life’s journey.

The Diocesan Vocations page on the website has some information on ordained ministry in Southwark, along with contact information for those seeking more information.

One of our recently ordained priests, Father Francis Murphy, has written a short reflection on his journey to priesthood: Click here to read more.

The Diocese has several students in formation for the priesthood. Four of these students have written about their response to God's call. Click here to read more.

The Diocesan Seminary, St. John's Seminary in Wonersh, annually produces a Seminary magazine. The 2019 edition has been made available to the Diocese. It can be downloaded in PDF format by clicking here (205Mb file).