vocations

[decn2b]

Hello,

I just became the chairperson of my parish’s newly formed vocations committee. I am also the only member of this committe. Does anyone here have some ideas for me on getting some interest in the priesthood or consecrated life?

I am thinking about asking my priest to allow me to start a specific vocations prayer group.

I have also found out that I will be attending some diocesan training for this new post I am taking.

Any suggestions or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

 

[CatholicNick]

Hello,

I just became the chairperson of my parish’s newly formed vocations committee. I am also the only member of this committe. Does anyone here have some ideas for me on getting some interest in the priesthood or consecrated life?

I am thinking about asking my priest to allow me to start a specific vocations prayer group.

I have also found out that I will be attending some diocesan training for this new post I am taking.

Any suggestions or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Start regular devotions such as the Divine Mercy Chaplet, Rosary, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and other such devotions.

These are what help attract young men to the Priesthood - not innovative ‘promotions’. Good example from a Holy and Pious Priest also go a very very long way to attracting vocations.

 

[puzzleannie]

the vocations director of your diocese may have some presentations for young adults, and if you have a Serra Club in your diocese they also have programs for youth and youth adults discerning vocations and their life work, and also suggestions for parishes to pray for and promote vocations.

 

[netmilsmom]

Start regular devotions such as the Divine Mercy Chaplet, Rosary, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and other such devotions.

These are what help attract young men to the Priesthood - not innovative ‘promotions’. Good example from a Holy and Pious Priest also go a very very long way to attracting vocations.

I agree with CN here. I was in a Catholic Community. A new priest came who wanted vocations from the parish. I suggested that we call the parish I am at now because they had eight seminarians. What were they doing that the Catholic Community wasn’t.
My Wonderful Pastor (God Bless him and give him long life) told the lady that called to go start the traditional devotions. Pray, pray, pray. He then suggested that the DRE get some monks and habited nuns to talk to the girls.
According to my Pastor, she hung up rather quickly.

 

[ChemicalBean]

Hiya, congrats on your 1-man committee!

First, get others to join you, and people from all walks of life. But pay particular attention to the younger people and what they really say and need. It might surprise you.

Second, pray. But don’t just pray for “an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life.” It is needed, but it is just as important to pray for an increase in vocations to faithul marriage and parenting. If you don’t have that, well, where are these vocations supposed to come out of? The woodwork? Thin air?

Third, you need consistent, authentic exposure. Don’t promote church vocations with cheezy gimmicks, subtle pressure, or romantic marketing. If you bring in a habited sister, great - but make sure it is her lifestyle and authentic commitment to Christ that speaks, not the trappings of a habit. If someone is attracted to a religious vocation, they want authenticity, they want the truth, and they want the freedom that comes from that. It’s easy to smell advertising, even in the church, and poor vocations promotion will drive away the exact people you want to reach.

 

[decn2b]

Thanks all, it will be fun convincing my priest on such devotions. We have tried for years to get perpetual adoration. Its a good thing that I have a very very holy and experience deacon in my parish who is a big fan of devotions.

Bean, Auinas Center or St. Cecilias?

 

[Kielbasi]

How about organizing a retreat weekend to a monastery, so the young people can see priests and monks upclose and live in a monastery for a few days.

They have regular retreats scheduled at the Passionist monastery here in Pittsburgh, and others around the country have it as well.

All you can do is open people’s minds to it, you can’t sell a vocation to the priesthood or monkhood with high pressure techniques. You aren’t trying to sell them a car.

 

[m134e5]

First, take the matter before the Blessed Sacrament in prayer- ask God how He wants you to do this.

After that, here are some suggestions:

Pray a rosary before Mass- include vocations in the intentions, and say a prayer for vocations in addition to the rosary.

Ask your pastor if you can have adoration at least once a month and have a holy hour for vocations- promote it in the bulletin and ask the priest to mention it at Mass for about 3 weeks beforehand.

Always with your pastor’s permission…

Put informational brochures (I’m sure your diocese has one, and religious orders- at least those who want vocations- have them) in the vestibule of the Church.

Consider inviting a seminarian to give a talk at your parishes youth group- and to classes in your parish’s school.

compile a collection of vocation stories (be very careful about violating copyright laws) and put them in the literature rack.

Try to organize a parish fundraiser for the seminarians of the diocese.

Encourage the boys to serve.

Talk to the youth you see in the parish who seem particularly devout about vocations. Don’t smother them as soon as you see them shed a tear in front of the Sacrament or anything- but approach them with subtlety- you don’t want to scare them!

Provide literature about the saints- to encourage reverence towards the Eucharist, and the priesthood.

Don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t produce a ton of priests and religious. If this causes one person to take their faith more seriously, and they become a saint (and by doing so, will likely influence at least one person in their vocation), it will be a success.

Pray the rosary every day- and as often as possible- in front of the Blessed Sacrament- for vocations and that your vocations committee will help the parish and the Church. This is a good starting point. Nothing will compare to what that will accomplish- though the other things are important.