The Vocation Office of the Diocese of Knoxville promotes priestly vocations through discernment opportunities and coordination with lay organizations in the diocese. The Vocation Office assists the bishop in fostering the formation of men who are preparing for the diocesan priesthood and promotes priestly, religious, and lay vocations throughout the diocese in coordination with lay organizations and various ministries in the diocese.
May an ardent prayer sustained by the motherly intercession of Mary, rise from every corner of the earth, to the heavenly Father to obtain “labourers for his harvest” (Mt 9,38). May He give zealous and holy priests to every part of his flock. Sustained by this awareness we turn to Christ, the High Priest, and we pray to Him with renewed trust:
Jesus, Son of God, in whom the fullness of the Divinity dwells, You call all the baptized to ” put out into the deep”, taking the path that leads to holiness. Waken in the hearts of young people the desire to be witnesses in the world of today to the power of your love. Fill them with your Spirit of fortitude and prudence, so that they may be able to discover the full truth about themselves and their own vocation.
Our Saviour, sent by the Father to reveal His merciful love, give to your Church the gift of young people who are ready to put out into the deep, to be the sign among their brothers of Your presence which renews and saves.
Holy Virgin, Mother of the Redeemer, sure guide on the way towards God and towards neighbor, You who pondered his word in the depth of your heart, sustain with your motherly intercession our families and our ecclesial communities, so that they may help adolescents and young people to answer generously the call of the Lord. Amen.
(From the Holy Father’s Message for 2005 World Day of Prayer for Vocations)