Marian Prayer for Vocations

Mary, humble servant of God Most High,
the Son to whom you gave birth has made you the servant of humanity.
Your life was a humble and generous service.
You were servant of the Word when the angel
announced to you the divine plan of salvation.
You were servant of the Son, giving him life
and remaining open to his mystery.
You were servant of Redemption,
standing courageously at the foot of the Cross,
close to the Suffering Servant and Lamb,
who was sacrificing himself for love of us.
You were servant of the Church on the day of Pentecost
and with your intercession you continue to generate her in every believer,
even in these, our difficult and troubled times.
Let the young people of the third millennium look
to you, young daughter of Israel,
who have known the agitation of a young heart
when faced with the plan of the Eternal God.
Make them able to accept the invitation of your Son
to give their lives wholly for the glory of God.
Make them understand that to serve God satisfies the heart,
and that only in the service of God and of his kingdom
do we realize ourselves in accordance with the divine plan,
and life becomes a hymn of glory to the Most Holy Trinity.
Amen.

~Blessed John Paul II

Ave Maria! What a beautiful prayer for vocations this is! Blessed John Paul II wrote it for the 2003 World Day of Prayer for Vocations, and it's a real keeper.  I especially like how it describes Our Lady's role as servant of humanity -- of the Word, of the Son, of Redemption, and of the Church.  Oh, to become more and more like her, always and everywhere "our life, our sweetness and our hope"!  Blessed be Jesus, living in Mary!