Promoting Vocations in Parishes

 

Father Philip Smith, former Director of Priestly Formations, on How to Promote Vocations

 
 
 
 

PRAYER

  • Holy Hours for Vocations. Have a special Holy Hour to pray for priestly and religious vocations.

  • Rosary for Vocations. During the rosary mention candidates by name. Vocations Rosary – Luminous Mysteries

  • Vocation Prayer distribution. Vocation prayer card given to parishioners on World Day of Prayer for Vocations or during National Vocation Awareness Week.

  • Eucharistic Procession for Vocations. On the Feast of Corpus Christi, consider dedicating your Eucharistic procession to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

ACTIVITIES

  • Workshops for Altar Servers. Teach altar servers about vocational discernment.

  • Parish Discernment Groups. Small groups of boys or girls led by parish priest or sister, with help from parents, to help them understand vocations. Consider the Melchizedek Project

  • Collaboration with Boy Scout Troops. Scouting has long been a friend of vocation promotions. There is even a special camp at Philmont for boys considering the priesthood.

  • Attend ordinations. Coordinate for confirmation students or youth groups to attend an ordination

  • Travelling Chalice. In this popular program, a chalice that is used at Mass it brought home by a different family each week. It is kept in a special place by the family, who prays each day for more vocations.

COMMUNICATION

  • Vocations library. Keep a special corner of the vestibule stocked with vocation-related materials.

  • Poster/coloring/ essay/video contests. Organize a contest with a vocations theme for students.

  • Vocation stories. Invite priests to tell their vocation stories at parish events.

  • Web page. Create a page on your parish website with vocation information.

 

Download the 2024-25 Seminarian Poster and put it up in your home, classroom, office, etc.

 

OTHER IDEAS

  • Celebrate ordination anniversaries. Honor parish priests and celebrate within the parish and school.

  • Support our seminarians. Send greeting cards to each seminarian at the beginning of a new semester, holidays, exam times, birthdays, ordinations, etc.

  • Director of Vocations. Invite the Director of Vocations to the parish for a weekend, for Mass and a meal with parish families. Contact the Office of Vocations for availability.

  • Serra Club: https://serraspark.org/tools/

  • Vocation Ministry: https://vocationministry.com