Vocations
God is Calling You by Name
Every baptized person is called to be a Saint, by laying down their lives out of Love for God and neighbor. Most people fulfill this calling by sanctifying their lives and offering up the ordinary circumstances of life, but some are given a loftier calling—sanctifying the world by offering the entirety of their lives to God. Those called to the priesthood and consecrated life lay down their lives as a gift to Holy Mother Church, and sanctify Her through lives of poverty, chastity, obedience, and prayer.
There are many ways to serve God in the Catholic Church today.
Each Christian is called to service through the Sacrament of Baptism.
Vocations to the Priesthood
Almost ninety percent of diocesan priests serve in parishes. Some priests serve in other diocesan ministries. Regardless of the specific ministry to which a priest is assigned, priests are called to be men of deep personal prayer who proclaim the Gospel of Christ and live the Gospel in their daily lives.
As representatives of Christ they celebrate the Sacraments, visit the sick, the home-bound and imprisoned, counsel the troubled, console the sorrowing, rejoice with the joyful. They are a special part of every family and they minister to people of every age. They are there to celebrate and sacramentalize the special moments of people’s lives.
If you are considering a call to the priesthood, explore the documents below to aid in your discernment before seeking a formal application.
Prayer for Vocations
Jesus, High Priest and Redeemer Forever, we beg you to call young men and women to your service as priests and religious.
May they be inspired by the lives of dedicated priests, brothers and sisters. Give to parents the grace of generosity and trust toward you and their child so that their sons and daughters may be helped to choose their vocation in life with wisdom and freedom.
Amen
Vocation Dates to Remember
PRIESTHOOD SUNDAY is a day to pray for our priests, in praising God for their courage and their generosity. A simple note, a smile or a phone call to assure him of your loving care and gratitude for his presence in the life of your local church will go a long way to serve the greater good of our wonderful and growing Catholic Church. It is celebrated on the last Sunday in September.
Go to serraus.org/priesthood-sunday/ to find lots of ideas for celebrating this annual event. On this page you will find lessons for Religious Education programs, templates for Priesthood Sunday “thank you” cards, and ideas from parishes and dioceses across the country.
NATIONAL VOCATION AWARENESS WEEK (1st full week of November) November 6-12, 2022
The purpose of National Vocation Awareness Week is to bring awareness to the priesthood, consecrated religious life, and sacramental marriage.
www.usccb.org/committees/clergy-consecrated-life-vocations/national-vocation-awareness-week
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS The purpose of World Day of Prayer for Vocations is to publicly fulfill the Lord’s instruction to, “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest” (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2). As a climax to a prayer that is continually offered throughout the Church, it affirms the primacy of faith and grace in all that concerns vocations to the priesthood and to the consecrated life. – www.usccb.org/committees/clergy-consecrated-life-vocations/world-day-prayer-vocations.
This day of prayer is celebrated on Good Shepherds Sunday. Please visit www.worlddayofprayerforvocations.com for more information.
If you feel this supernatural call, do not be afraid. Pray daily, seek out the Sacraments of regular Confession and Holy Communion, and contact the Director of Vocations. He is more than happy to help you discern the Will of God for your life.
Vocations Director
