Elijah Cup Ministry

Elijah Cup Ministry

The purpose of the Elijah Cup, a consecrated chalice, is to provide a focal point for prayer.

We are all aware of the need for vocations to the priesthood, the diaconate and to the religious life. But sometimes we forget just how powerful praying for an increase in vocations can be. If we pray with the faith of the widow of Zarapeth, our cup will never run dry! We will always have priests to bring us Jesus in the Eucharist.

In 1 Kings 17, during a drought, Elijah tells the poor widow of Zarapeth that if she makes him a small loaf of bread with the last of her flour and oil, her "jar of flour will not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the Lord sends rain upon the earth." In faith, the widow baked the bread and fed Elijah. For the next year, the widow, her son, and Elijah ate bread made from the bowl of flour and jug of oil.

The 2nd Vatican Council instructs us that it is the job of the laity to pray for and raise up vocations, and this has been echoed by Pope John Paul II in many of his teachings.

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Thank you for taking on this ministry which is an ongoing ministry where the families of our parish will be alternating times to pray for vocations throughout the year. The following pages are a guide for your prayer each day during your week with the Elijah Cup.

It is suggested that the prayer time begin and end with the Sign of the Cross. Also we encourage you to read a passage of Sacred Scripture (included in the pages following), recite a prayer for priests, pray for individual priests and seminarians and pray our Diocesan Prayer for Vocations.

Praying for vocations is the most powerful way to support vocations. A vocation is a call from the Holy Spirit, a gift from God that is nurtured in prayer. When we pray for vocations, we lift up to our Father those men and women whom he is calling in a very special way. We hope that those who bring the cup home will continue to pray for vocations daily.

SUNDAY

Sign of the Cross

A Prayer for Priests (See card attached to chalice for names for this date)

Keep them, I pray Thee, dearest Lord, keep them, for they are Thine. Thy priests whose lives burn out before Thy consecrated shrine. Keep them, for they are in the world; though from the world apart; when earthly pleasures tempt, allure, shelter them in Thy heart. Keep them and comfort them in hours of loneliness and pain, when all their life of sacrifice for souls seems but in vain. Keep them, and O remember, Lord, they have no one but Thee, yet they have only human hearts, with human frailty. Keep them as spotless as the Host, that daily they caress; their every thought and word and deed, deign, dearest Lord, to bless.

Reading: Eph. 4: 1-7:

I, then, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

Prayer for Vocations

O God, hear my prayer and let my cry come unto you. Bless our Diocese of Savannah with many priestly and religious vocations. Give the men and women you call the light to understand your gift and the love to follow always in the footsteps of your priestly son. Amen

Sign of the Cross

MONDAY

Sign of the Cross

A Prayer for Priests (See card attached to chalice for names for this date)

Reading: Bishop Fulton Sheen

What the priests are in the parish, the diocese and the nation, that likewise will the faithful be. What we are, the Church is; what the Church is, the world is.

Prayer for Vocations

Sign of the Cross

TUESDAY

Sign of the Cross

A Prayer for Priests (See card attached to chalice for names for this date)

Reading: Math. 20: 20-28

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached him with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My cup you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Prayer for Vocations

Sign of the Cross

WEDNESDAY

Sign of the Cross

A Prayer for Priests (See card attached to chalice for names for this date)

Reading: The Beautiful Hands of a Priest

We need them in life’s early morning, we need them again at its close. We feel their warm clasp of true friendship, we seek them when tasting life’s woes. At the altar each day we behold them, and the hands of a king on his throne are not equal to them in their greatness; their dignity stands all alone. And when we are tempted and wander to pathways of shame and of sin, it’s the hand of a priest will absolve us - not once, but again and again. And when we are taking life’s partner, other hands may prepare us a feast, but the hand that will bless and unite us is the beautiful hand of a priest. God bless them and keep them all holy for the Host which their fingers caress. When can a poor sinner do better than to ask Him to guide thee and bless? When the hour of death comes upon us may our courage and strength be increased by seeing raised over us in blessing the beautiful hands of a priest?

Prayer for Vocations

Sign of the Cross

THURSDAY

Sign of the Cross

A Prayer for Priests (See card attached to chalice for names for this date)

Reading: Luke 10:1-9

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and lace he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God is at hand for you.’”

Prayer for Vocations

Sign of the Cross

FRIDAY

Sign of the Cross

A Prayer for Priests (See card attached to chalice for names for this date)

Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-8

The word of the Lord came to me thus: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you. “Ah, Lord God!” I said, “I know not how to speak; I am too young.” But the Lord answered me, Say not, “I am too young.” To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Have no fear before them, because I am with you to deliver you says the Lord. Then the Lord extended his hand and touched my mouth, saying, See I place my words in your mouth!

Prayer for Vocations

Sign of the Cross

SATURDAY

Sign of the Cross

A Prayer for Priests (See card attached to chalice for names for this date)

Reading: Mark 1:60-20

As he passed the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they left their nets and followed him. He walked along a little father and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.

Prayer for Vocations

Sign of the Cross