Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In his message for this World Day of Prayer for Vocations Pope Benedict stresses that prayer for vocations should be continuous and trusting. "The Christian community", he says, "can only really have greater faith and hope in God's providence if it is enlivened by prayer….. Our first duty, therefore, is to keep alive in families and in parishes, in movements and religious communities, the appeal to God with unceasing prayer. We must pray that the whole Christian people grows in its trust in God, convinced that the "Lord of the harvest" does not cease to ask some to place their whole existence freely at his service so as to work with him more closely in the mission of salvation."

Our prayers in this Diocese have been answered in a special way this past year as a man came forward quite unexpectedly to offer his life for service as a priest in Argyll & the Isles. He will begin his seminary training shortly and our prayers will accompany him and our other seminarian, David Connor, in their continuing journey towards priesthood. Let us pray today that others will follow in their footsteps. I would also ask for your financial support for their seminary formation by contributing generously to today's special collection for the Ecclesiastical Students' Fund.

The month of May has been traditionally kept as a time of special devotion to Our Lady, so as we offer our rosaries and other devotions to Our Blessed Mother throughout this month let us pray in a special way for all priests, for those studying for the priesthood and for those thinking about it.

The Holy Father ended his letter by reflecting upon Mary, her continual "Yes" to God, and her care for those who feel called to priesthood and religious life. He says:

"An emblematic human response, full of trust in God's initiative, is the generous and unmitigated "Amen" of the Virgin of Nazareth. Her prompt "Yes" allowed Her to become the Mother of God, the Mother of our Saviour. Mary, after this first "fiat", had to repeat it many times, even up to the moment of the crucifixion of Jesus, when standing by the cross she participated in the dreadful suffering of her innocent Son. And it was from the cross, that Jesus, while dying, gave her to us as Mother and entrusted us to her as sons and daughters; she is especially the Mother of priests and consecrated persons. I want to entrust to her all those who are aware of God's call to set out on the road of the ministerial priesthood or consecrated life. "

May Christ the Good Shepherd be always with you, and may Mary watch over the Church with motherly love and self-giving.


Yours sincerely in Christ,

†Joseph
Bishop of Argyll and the Isles.
 3 May 2009