The Elijah Cup, a consecrated Chalice, serves as a focal point of prayer for vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life. Our Church strongly encourages us to sustain this need for prayer for vocations throughout the year. We invite families to volunteer to take the Elijah Cup and pray for vocations during the course of the week. We truly appreciate your enthusiastic response to our invitation.
Serra Atlanta, a Catholic organization that fosters vocations explains: “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 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 a bowl of flour and a jug of oil.
The 2nd Vatican Council instructs us that it is the job of the laity to pray and raise up vocations, and this has been echoed by Pope John Paul II in many of his teachings.”
Parishioners who sign up to participate are presented at the end of Mass with “The Elijah Cup,” a chalice used at that Mass. We encourage you to place the Elijah Cup in a prominent place and say a short prayer when you pass by or say formal prayers together with your family. The chalice is kept for the week in your homes while they pray for vocations. What a blessing for you and your families!
If you or your family are interested in being presented with the Elijah Cup for the week, please contact the volunteer coordinator.