Catholic Fire

"I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. " ~ John 10: 14 - 15

Fifty thousand filled St. Peter's Square to pray the Regina Coeli with Pope Benedict XVI at noon on Sunday, following Holy Mass in St Peter’s Basilica where he ordained 19 new priests for the Rome diocese. The Pontiff asked the faithful to pray for vocations and for his imminent journey to the Holy Land. “Both on a personal and communal level we must pray often for vocations, so that the greatness and beauty of God’s love may attract many to follow Christ to priesthood and consecrated life,” Benedict XVI said. “We also need to pray," he added, "for saintly spouses, capable of showing their children, above all by example, the high horizons for which to strive in freedom.” This appeal for vocations was made on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, called “Good Shepherd Sunday,” when traditionally the Holy Father ordains new priests, and the world marks a day of prayer for vocations. More here. American Papist has photos of the ordinations .

4th Sunday of Easter: Good Shepherd Sunday Sunday Mass Readings Sunday Homily: Fr. Martin Fox Fr. Darren Zehnle 45th World Day of Prayer for Vocations MESSAGE OF THE HOLY FATHER FOR THE 45TH WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS 13TH APRIL 2008 – 4TH SUNDAY OF EASTER Prayers for Vocations 24 Hour Rosary: World Day of Prayer for Vocations Top Ten Indicators of a Call to the Monastic Life Priests: Ordinary Men Made Extraordinary by Grace by Archbishop Charles Chaput