Pope Paul VI instituted the\nWorld Day of Prayer for Vocations (the 4th Sunday of Easter) on the 11th April\n1964 by saying;<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n

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“O Jesus, divine Shepherd\nof the spirit, you have called the Apostles in order to make them fishermen of\nmen, you still attract to you burning spirits and generous young people, in\norder to render them your followers and ministers to us<\/span>”
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(Pope Paul VI launching the 1st Word Day of Prayer for Vocations)<\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n

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In the 43 years since,\nsuccessive pontiffs have called on the Church to focus and pray for vocations.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n

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For further information,\nplease visit the Vocations websites<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>

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www.vocations.ie<\/a> | <\/span><\/o:p><\/span>https:\/\/derryvocations.org\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n

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Pope Benedict XVI declared\na “Year for Priests”<\/span> beginning with the Solemnity of the\nSacred Heart of Jesus on June 19, 2009. The year concluded in Rome with an\ninternational gathering of priests with the Holy Father from June 9-11, 2010.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n

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With the announcement of this\nYear for Priests, the Pope declared St. John Vianney the Universal Patron of\nPriests on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the death of the Curé\nd’Ars.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n

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Please pray for our priests\nthat they might always be faithful to their sacred calling.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n\n

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