“I wish to spend my heaven doing good on earth... I will help priests, missionaries, the whole Church.” These beautiful words reveal the spirit of generosity in the heart of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. As a cloistered nun in the Carmelite monastery of Lisieux, France, St. Thérèse responded generously and whole heartedly to the call of God. For this reason, she is the patroness of vocations.
Love of Christ is the centre of the St. Thérèse Vocation Society. Members of the Society offer prayers and sacrifices for an increase in vocations to priesthood and religious life in the Diocese of Hamilton. In addition to praying for an increase in vocations, members pray for the grace of perseverance for those who are in formation in seminaries and religious communities and for the holiness of those already ordained and professed. The relationship of all the Christian vocations is evident in the Vocation Society where married and single members pray for priests and religious who daily offer the prayers of the Church on their behalf.
As a member of the Vocation Society, you will be remembered in a monthly Mass celebrated by the Diocesan Vocation Director. There are no dues or meetings, only the promise of your prayerful support. You become enrolled as a member of the St. Thérèse Vocation Society by filling out the detachable portion of this card and returning it to the Vocation Office. Please keep the remaining portion of the card in your prayer book or other convenient place to remind you of your commitment. Through the intercession of St. Thérèse and with your prayerful support, may there be an increase in vocations to priesthood and religious life.
Yours in Christ, Father Cull
Vocation Director, Diocese of Hamilton
As a member of the St. Thérèse Vocation Society, I commit to offering the following for an increase in vocations to priesthood and religious life in the Diocese of Hamilton, for the perseverance of the seminarians now preparing for the priesthood and those who are in formation in religious communities, and for the holiness of those already ordained and professed:
1) Recite daily the Prayer for Vocations to Priesthood and Religious Life.
2) Recite daily the Prayer for Priests and Religious.
3) Offer any sufferings and sacrifices in union with Christ for an increase in vocations and for the holiness of those preparing to serve the Church.
When possible, I will also offer some time in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, a decade of the Rosary, or some other prayers for the intentions above.
