The Catholic Church in Thailand observed the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, also known as Good Shepherd Sunday, with a renewed call for the faithful to actively foster and accompany vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.
Celebrated annually on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, the occasion—instituted by Pope Paul VI in 1964—invites Catholics worldwide to pray that more men and women will respond generously to God’s call.
This year marks the 63rd anniversary of the global observance.
Across Thailand, members of the Serra movement, a lay apostolate dedicated to promoting vocations, spearheaded parish-based initiatives, encouraging communities to pray intentionally for vocations following Sunday Masses.
The organization continues to play a vital role in supporting and affirming those discerning a call to the priesthood and religious life.
Fr. Peter Chettha Chaiyadej of Saengtham Major Seminary, national chaplain of the Serra Thailand Council, urged the faithful to unite in prayer and action, sharing a Thai-language version of the message of Pope Leo XIV for the occasion.
In his message, released March 8, Pope Leo XIV described vocation as “an immeasurable gift for the Church,” emphasizing that it is not a burden but “a plan of love and happiness.”
He invited the faithful to reflect on four key dimensions of vocation—pain, gratitude, encouragement, and praise—while highlighting the need to rediscover interior silence and prayer as the fertile ground where God’s call is heard.
“The care of interior life: this is where vocational ministry must begin again,” the Pope wrote, urging families and communities to become nurturing environments where vocations can grow and mature through accompaniment and trust.
At the heart of his reflection is the image of Christ as the “beautiful shepherd” who attracts and transforms lives, reminding believers that vocation is a dynamic journey shaped by a deep relationship with God and openness to the Holy Spirit.
Beyond prayer, Church leaders in Thailand stressed that fostering vocations is a shared responsibility of the entire Christian community.
Vinij Vasupongpipat, a former board member of Serra International, underscored this point in an interview with LiCAS News, drawing on the concept of the “butterfly effect” to explain how even the smallest acts can influence a person’s vocational journey.
“Every small action by Christians in the community is like a butterfly flapping its wings,” he said. “It creates ripples that can profoundly shape the life of a young person who may one day serve as a priest or religious.”
Vinij explained that vocation, while deeply personal and mysterious, unfolds within a wider community shaped by faith, encouragement, and witness.
He stressed that promoting vocations is not limited to clergy or Church institutions but involves the daily actions of all the faithful.
Simple gestures—such as affirming young people who serve at Mass, offering a kind word, supporting parish activities, or contributing to seminary formation—can help nurture a sense of purpose and openness to God’s call, he said.
“No activity in the parish is too small,” Vinij added. “Acts of kindness, prayer, and support can create a ripple effect that leads someone to discover a vocation and, in turn, touch countless other lives.”
He also encouraged parishes to take a more structured approach by designating members responsible for promoting vocations within parish councils, ensuring that the mission remains a visible and sustained priority.
The World Day of Prayer for Vocations serves as a reminder of Christ’s invitation in the Gospel to “ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest” (Mt 9:38), reaffirming that vocations are ultimately rooted in God’s grace and the prayerful support of the entire Church.
As Thai Catholics marked the day, Church leaders in Thailand reiterated that fostering vocations is a shared responsibility of the entire Christian community.
