Prayers and Resources for Religious Vocations

The Church calls on each of us at this time (as always) to reflect on our vocations and to pray for an increase in the priesthood and religious life. CatholicMom.com offers the following resources on the role Moms can play in fostering vocations and on Mothering as a vocation.

Puppet Show/Skit Scripts on Vocations
Vocations Prayer Coloring Page (Priest)
Vocations Prayer Coloring Page (Sister)

Additional Coloring pictures - click to view in full detail

For more fun:

Learn more about the Priests and Sisters at your church and what they do. These are wonderful people who have devoted their lives to serving God and our Church. Take some time this week to thank them for all they do...maybe you could make a card or bake cookies for them. Also, learn more about vocations and think about how God is calling you!

CatholicMom.com recommends these great books for learning about vocations:

What Does a Priest Do? What Does a Nun Do?

Young children are fascinated yet a bit frightened by priests and nuns. This charming two-in-one book humanizes religious, making them friendly and approachable. Kids will discover that priests and nuns are just like them: they laugh, cry, work, play, and pray. 32 pages, $7.95 Paulist Press

Click on the following resources for more information:

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE JOHN PAUL II FOR THE 41st WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS - May 2, 2004
Prayers for Vocations from Dioceses around the United States
National Conference of Diocesan Vocations Directors
Catholic Online Vocations Index
Vocations Online
USA Council of Serra International
Franciscan Sisters CFR
Dominican Monastery of Saint Jude
Saint Meinrad Archabbey
Saint Benedict Center
The Oblates of Saint Francis de Sales - Toledo-Detroit Province web page with information about Oblates' identity, charism, vocations, Salesian spirituality and Oblates' ministries.
Knights of Columbus - news, information and Columbia Magazine online from this respected Catholic organization. Includes wonderful information on promoting and supporting vocations to the Religious Life
Vocations Placement: Vocations Placement is a national service organization dedicated to one mission: to provide assistance to those who are exploring a call to the religious life in the Roman Catholic Church.
Canticle Magazine - The Voice of Today's Catholic Woman
Vocation ideas for families - how parents can encourage vocations in the home and family activities from the diocese of Scranton

How can we promote vocations? First of all, by considering and treasuring the art of Mothering as a vocation. Secondly, by praying for an increase in vocations to the religious and ministerial life. Thirdly, by being a light to those around us and by inspiring others to consider their live paths as vocations from God. Finally, by doing as Serra International suggests:

Look around you.

How many men and women in your parishes are caring and compassionate individuals who are good listeners, articulate speakers, and loving enthusiastic Catholics?
How many of these special, gifted people have ever been invited to consider becoming a priest, sister, brother, permanent deacon, or full-time lay minister?
Statistics show that 80% of the 18-30 year olds in the United States and Canada have never been asked to consider a Church Vocation. (Courtesy of Serra International)

Parents Prayer for Vocations (Courtesy of Mrs. Dorothy Foss)

Gracious and loving God
you have blessed us with the privilege of becoming Parents.
We ask that you provide us with all that we need
in accepting this awesome responsibility.

We pray that we will be open to your spirit
who is our source of strength
as we witness to our children
your love for each of them and your desire for them
to be happy and to live a full life.

We ask your help
so we may guide and encourage our children
to believe that they each have a special calling
and to use their gifts and talents for others.

We pray, Heavenly Father,
that our children will discover
and respond enthusiastically to your desire for them
whether it be to the vocation of single, married,
ordained or consecrated life.

We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus
through the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.
-Mrs. Dorothy Foss

Prayer for Family Vocation Spirit (Courtesy of the Knights of Columbus)

Heavenly Father, in the example of the Holy Family, you teach us how to live as a loving family. From Jesus, Mary and Joseph, we learn that you have given each of us a special place in your plans for the world. Each of us has a call - a vocation - to be holy as a married, single lay person, or as a priest, a deacon or a religious brother or sister. make us a kind and understanding family so that we will help one another discover his or her vocation and follow it faithfully. With Mary and Joseph, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

Serran Prayer for Vocations

O God, Who will not the death of a sinner * but rather that he be converted and live * grant we beseech You * through the intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin * Saint Joseph, her spouse * Blessed Junipero Serra * and all the saints * an increase of laborers for Your Church * fellow laborers with Christ to spend and consume themselves for souls * through the same Jesus Christ * Your son * Who lives and reigns with You * In the unity of the Holy Spirit * God forever * and ever. Amen.