When the Pilgrim Vocation Icon resides in the home – the “domestic church” – it is fitting that the special prayers for vocations be a part of the household’s daily rule of prayer. Prayers and guidelines are given below in order to assist with this. An Icon Corner is a special place set aside in the home where icons may be placed for veneration and prayer. Icons are the visual form of artistic expression in the Christian East. They are a visual affirmation of the Church’s belief, portraying our Lord, the Mother of God, the Feasts, and the Saints. Icon Corners usually include a table or stand, covered with a cloth, the scriptures, prayer books, various icons, candles or lamps, an incense burner, holy water, and other sacred objects. After gathering at the Icon Corner and a few moments of silence, light any candles in your prayer space and, if desired, burn incense. Realize that you are dwelling in God’s presence and make the sign of the cross three times, quietly saying each time:

+ O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.

+ Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us. Amen.

Glory to you, + our God, glory to You.

Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, everywhere present and filling all things, Treasury of Blessings and Giver of Life, come and dwell within us, cleanse us of all stain, and save our souls, O gracious One.

Holy God, + Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)

Glory to the Father, + and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; Lord, cleanse us of our sins; Master, forgive our transgressions; Holy One, come to us and heal our infirmities for your name's sake.

Lord, have mercy. (Three times)

Glory to the Father, + and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, + have mercy on us. Amen.

Then immediately, the Troparion and Theotokion for Vocations in Tone 8 (these hymns may be recited):

O Savior, You called the fishermen and they immediately left their nets to follow You. * Your voice resounds with authority, * “Make disciples of all nations, * teach them to carry out everything I have commanded.” * Give us today zealous workers for your kingdom to reap the harvest of faith; * for You provide always for your beloved Church.

Glory to the Father, + and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

O holy Virgin, Mother of God, * with confidence you told those at the wedding of Cana, * “Do whatever my Son tells you.” * Ask Him to provide an abundance of vocations for the Church.

Next, it is fitting to read from holy scripture. The following passages are suggested:

Sunday - The Call of Abraham
Genesis 17:1-8, 15-20

Monday - The Call of Moses
Exodus 3:1-14

Tuesday - The Call of Samuel
I Samuel 3:1-10

Wednesday - The Call of Isaiah
Isaiah 6:1-9

Thursday - The Call of the Virgin Mary, Mother of God
Luke 1:26-38

Friday - The Call of Peter
John 21:18-19

Saturday - The Call of Paul
Acts 9:1-22

Then continue to pray:

Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)

SUNDAY
Prayer for Vocations
Lord our God, You are older than all creation, and have made us in your image and likeness. You gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter and Spirit of Truth, to be with us always, to give to your Church all the gifts needed for sanctification. Today we humbly beg You, grant us an abundance of vocations to your holy priesthood, to the diaconate in Christ, and to the consecrated life. Do not leave your church deprived of spiritual gifts. Open our hearts to hear the words of your invitation, “Come, follow me.” Give to your Church servants ready to follow You with zeal and courage. Give to your Church servants who, in their weakness, have received the Spirit of wisdom and understanding. Give to your Church servants ready to lead and to serve, to teach and to comfort, to give of themselves and to receive a heavenly reward. Indeed, do not leave us orphans, but be with us through your Holy Spirit, who is present everywhere and fills all things, and who raises up mere mortals to divine service in love of your people, the Church. For You alone are holy and the giver of sanctification, always, now and ever and forever. Amen.

MONDAY
Prayer for Priests
Lord our God, in your goodness, fill all of your ordained priests with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Help them to keep their lives constantly centered on you. Remember in your kingdom those priests dearest to us: the priests who baptized and chrismated us; the priests who give us your holy body and blood in the Divine Eucharist; the priests who bring us your absolution in the holy mystery of penance; the priests who teach and instruct us; and all the priests to whom we are indebted in other ways, especially (add names here). Keep them close to your heart, and grant that each may receive the reward of good stewardship in his office, at the second coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For You are blessed and glorified now and ever and forever. Amen.

TUESDAY
Prayer for Seminarians
Holy Fathers and Equals to the Apostles, Cyril and Methodius, teachers of the Slavic people and patrons of our Byzantine Catholic Seminary, we place our Seminarians and all students for holy orders in your loving care. Help them to grow in humility, meekness, and prudence. Enkindle in them a burning zeal for souls. May their hearts be filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and may they learn to know and love the Church so that they may always and everywhere think, speak, and act with her, the glorious Spouse of Christ. May they become exemplars of generosity and detachment from the things of this world. But above all, O Venerable Patrons, help them to truly know, love, and serve the Eternal High Priest, our Lord Jesus Christ, whose priests they are called to be. Amen.

WEDNESDAY
Prayer to the Theotokos for those in Consecrated Life
Holy Fathers and Equals to the Apostles, Cyril and Methodius, teachers of the Slavic people and patrons of our Byzantine Catholic Seminary, we place our Seminarians and all students for holy orders in your loving care. Help them to grow in humility, meekness, and prudence. Enkindle in them a burning zeal for souls. May their hearts be filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and may they learn to know and love the Church so that they may always and everywhere think, speak, and act with her, the glorious Spouse of Christ. May they become exemplars of generosity and detachment from the things of this world. But above all, O Venerable Patrons, help them to truly know, love, and serve the Eternal High Priest, our Lord Jesus Christ, whose priests they are called to be. Amen.

THURSDAY
Prayer for Deacons
Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior and High Priest, in your love for your people, You assumed human nature in order to teach us and lead us to your heavenly kingdom. In your providential love, You called your servant Stephen to labor in your spiritual vineyard as a deacon and to give his life as a witness to your gospel of sacrificial love. Today, in this time of need for dedicated and hard-working clergy, we seek the prayers and intercession of the Holy Apostle, First Martyr, and Archdeacon Stephen. Knowing his love for You and the Church, we are confident of his heavenly intercession. We pray You, grant the favor of your graces through his intercession. We hope that our (arch)eparchy will benefit from his prayers and will be graced with an increasing number of dedicated deacons after the model of the Holy Martyr Stephen and all the saintly deacons. May our ordained men, especially those in the order of the diaconate, continue to look to Saint Stephen as a model of their sacrificial service. May they love one another, be kind and charitable to the poor and those in need, and be filled with zeal for each soul. You show us the perfect example of service and love, O Christ our God, and we glorify You, always, now and ever and forever. Amen.

FRIDAY
Prayer for the Baptized
Lord God, in baptism we died and rose with You and You called us by name and made us members of your people – the Church. We praise You for your goodness. We thank You for your gifts. Now bless your Church with love. Raise up from our families and friends dedicated and generous leaders who will be your hands, your feet, and your voice serving as spiritual fathers, brothers, and sisters. Send the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen us that we may serve your people while taking up the cross, daily, and following in your footsteps. Amen.

SATURDAY
Prayer for Discernment
Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ, You walked the streets of Palestine spreading the word of peace and repentance. You cured many and taught them about God’s kingdom. You offered Yourself in humble sacrifice and rose in glory on the third day. After your ascension into heaven, You sent the Holy Spirit upon your holy disciples and apostles to strengthen them for service in the Church. With the help of your grace, they responded to uncertainty with faith, to hardship with courage, and to the needs of others with selfless service. As we are called to love one another as You have first loved us, we ask that You continue to impart the gifts of wisdom and counsel to all your faithful. Bless us with happy marriages and holy families. Enkindle in those whom You have called to serve the Church the fire of your zeal and compassion. Give us hearts ready to see, hear, and joyfully respond to the needs of others. Grant us fidelity, fortitude, patience, and obedience. Let me be attentive and open to the possibility of increasing my service to the Church. Grant that I be one with You so that, through my daily work, I may become an instrument of your peace, freedom, and love. For You are our God and we worship and glorify You always, now and ever and forever. Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE GUIDANCE OF YOUTH

Parents may encourage their children to offer this commitment prayer as appropriate.

Almighty God and Father, I beseech You as one who seeks your guidance. You have called me along with all of your servants to do your will in this world through many different vocations. As I seek your will, I ask for the humility, patience, and obedience to endeavor on true Christian discernment. Bless all those who are discerning their future and grant deepening faith and peace on this journey. I open myself up to your Word so that I may truly become one of your disciples. In your plan for me, never let me forget the love and service that I am called to give to my neighbor. Bless your Church with good priests, deacons, religious, monastics, married couples, and other dedicated individuals. Through your grace I commit myself to doing your will and to praise of your holy name, always, now and ever and forever. Amen.

When your prayers are completed, use the customary dismissal:

Glory to the Father, + and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ, + our God, have mercy on us. Amen.

Now venerate the Holy Cross, the Pilgrim Vocation Icon, and, if you wish, any other icons. The leader may choose to hold these items for veneration. Partake of or bless yourself with holy water while being mindful of your baptismal commitment. The leader may choose to bless the family members with holy water using the customary greeting:

Christ is among us!
He is a will be!