Pope Francis’ Prayer Intention for February – Calls for Prayers and Support for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life
In his prayer intention for the month of February, Pope Francis is urging the faithful to pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life. He emphasized the importance of supporting young people in their discernment process and trusting in God’s plan for them.
Reflecting on his own life, Pope Francis shared a deeply personal moment from his youth. “When I was 17 years old, I was a student and was working. I had my own plans. I wasn’t thinking at all of being a priest. But one day, I went into the church and God was there, waiting for me,” the Holy Father recalled in a video released on February 4. This powerful moment in his life became the turning point that led him to follow God’s call to the priesthood.
He reminded the faithful that God’s call is not confined to the past but continues to reach out to young people today. “God still calls young people even today, sometimes in ways we can’t imagine,” the pope said. However, he acknowledged the challenges that young people face in recognizing and responding to God’s call. “Sometimes we don’t hear because we’re too busy with our own things, our own plans, even with our own things in the Church,” he explained.
Pope Francis also highlighted the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding young people. “But the Holy Spirit also speaks to us through dreams and speaks to us through the concerns young people feel in their hearts,” he said. He encouraged the faithful to help accompany the youth on their spiritual journeys, to help them discern God’s call, and to embrace the new ways in which God is working in their lives. “If we accompany their journeys, we’ll see how God is doing new things with them. And we’ll be able to welcome his call in ways that better serve the Church and the world today,” Pope Francis shared.
He concluded his reflection with a message of hope and trust. “Let’s trust young people! And, above all, let’s trust God, for he calls everyone!” he declared.
Pope Francis also offered a prayer for those who feel called to religious life, asking that the ecclesial community provide support and encouragement. “Let us pray that the ecclesial community might welcome the desires and doubts of those young people who feel called to live Jesus’ mission in life: either through the priestly life or religious life,” he prayed.
The Pope’s prayer intention is promoted by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, a global initiative that aims to raise awareness of monthly papal prayer intentions. Through this network, Catholics worldwide are invited to unite in prayer for the specific intentions set by Pope Francis, especially for causes like vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
By praying and supporting young people in their spiritual journeys, we can help foster the growth of new vocations, strengthening the Church and ensuring that God’s mission continues through dedicated service. Let us heed the pope’s call to trust in God’s plan and to actively accompany those whom He is calling.
