Irish bishops launch Vocations Monstrance in Knock following blessing by Pope Leo

The Bishops of Ireland have formally launched a new monstrance at a special prayer gathering.

The gathering took place during the Bishops’ annual spring retreat at the International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine in Knock.

The new Vocations Monstrance will be used to gather the faithful for prayerful Eucharistic adoration for vocations to the priesthood and to religious life.

Following the launch, Bishop Phonsie Cullinan of Waterford of Lismore, who chairs the Bishops' Council for Vocations, highlighted the central role of prayer in nurturing vocations.

"The Holy Father Pope Leo XIV blessed our new monstrance in the Vatican last November, which has been designated as a Vocations Monstrance,” he said.

“The bishops' launch today marks an important moment in the Church’s ongoing commitment to promote and foster vocations to the priesthood and to religious life.

“Our monstrance will be travelling around the island of Ireland to focus minds and hearts, and to ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers into the fields of people's lives today. As Catholics, we all share the important responsibility to build the Kingdom of God as we practice our faith.

"Our initiative aims to encourage prayer for vocations and to deepen young people's awareness of God’s call in their lives. The monstrance will visit dioceses, parishes, schools, and seminaries throughout the country, providing opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration and focused prayer for vocations.

“Through prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, we ask the Lord to raise up generous and joyful servants for His Church. Vocations are born in prayer, sustained by prayer, and strengthened through prayer,” he explained.

Father Willie Purcell of Ossory, who serves as the National Diocesan Vocations Coordinator, described the launch as a hopeful and practical initiative that places prayer and accompaniment at the heart of vocational discernment.

"At a time when many young people are searching for meaning, direction, and belonging, our National Vocations Monstrance offers a quiet but powerful invitation to encounter Christ in the Eucharist. It reminds us that every vocation begins in a relationship with the Lord, nurtured through prayer, listening, and trust,” he remarked.

"At this time, and always, I wish to also emphasise the vital role of families and parish communities in supporting those who are discerning their vocation. Every vocation is nurtured within a community of faith. We hope this monstrance will inspire parishes, families, and young people to pray together and to listen attentively to the voice of God in their lives,” he added.

Bishop Cullinan concluded by saying: "We should consider in our prayer three virtues in particular in pleading with God for more vocations to the priesthood and religious life: faith, courage and generosity — that we ask for greater faith in God’s plan and to trust God more. That we need more courage to step out and be the person God is asking us to be and to follow the vocation God has planned for each person, and then be generous enough to give ourselves willingly in the service of others — be that in marriage, the single life, priesthood or religious life.

"I believe that there are people who are called to priesthood and religious life who just cannot make that final step. With sincere prayer around the country, perhaps they will obtain the faith, courage and generosity to do that and hopefully this initiative will help them on their vocational journey."