How to Encourage & Inspire Vocations

Bulletin Column

May 12, 2019

            Today is often called “Good Shepherd Sunday”, after the beautiful Gospel we hear where Jesus refers to Himself as the Good Shepherd. Traditionally, the Church uses this Sunday to talk about Vocations to the priesthood and religious life, as priests and nuns also share in Christ’s shepherding role.

            We definitely need more vocations! In 1970, there were 59,000 priests in the USA; now there are just over 37,000. In 1980, the ratio of people to priest was 870:1; now it is 2000:1 (as the Catholic population of America has grown considerably due to the influx of Hispanic immigrants). In 1965, there were only 300 parishes in the country without a resident pastor. As of 2012, there are over 3,000.

            So what can we do about the vocations crisis? Here are some suggestions of practical things you can do!

            For Parents:

            - Teach your children how to pray in silence. Vocations only come from a living relationship with God. We must foster that living relationship by helping our kids to listen to Him. One of the best ways to do this is to take them to Eucharistic Adoration. I began going weekly to Adoration at fifteen years old and the hour of silence, in the presence of Jesus, inspired me to want to give myself to Him.

            - Talk positively about priests and nuns. There has been much negative press about priests in the news, but as parents you can counteract that by speaking positively about the priesthood or consecrated life.

- Do not pressure kids to achieve the “American Dream”. So often, kids feel pressured to succeed in a worldly sense (good college, lucrative career, good spouse) and to “give their parents grandkids,” (I have actually known many, many parents who have told their kids that they expect grandkids from them!). It is important to let them know that you do not expect grandkids or worldly success from them – but just that you hope they do God’s will for their life. Some parents think their kids will be unhappy without sex, money, or a spouse – but human beings are at their happiest when they are doing God’s will!

- Help your kids get to know priests and nuns. Have the Sisters of Life over for dinner. Stop and chat with the priest after Mass. A religious vocation should not be seen as something strange, or just for “super-holy” people. I’m amazed at the misconceptions people have about priests – some kids ask me if I am ever allowed to take off my clerics (yes, I don’t wear them when I sleep) or if I can watch TV (yes, I enjoy watching baseball and the news) or if I play sports (Frisbee is my favorite!) or if priests commit sin (we’re not perfect yet!). By spending time with religious people, you will soon find out that priests and nuns are very human and most of us are pretty normal folks! To see priests and nuns up-close can help a young person realize this can be a legitimate vocational option for them, even if they’re not yet saints!

For Everyone:

- Pray for an increase in vocations. God is calling, but the noise of the culture is very loud and it is often hard to hear His voice. So pray that God would give strength and courage to young people to respond generously, and that they may grow in a desire to seek His will for their lives.

- Invite people to consider it. Most people would consider it a compliment if you said to them, “Have you ever thought about the priesthood? I see many good qualities in you that would make an excellent priest.” Even if they dismiss the idea at the time, this just might get them thinking about it!

- Live out your own vocation with generosity and heroism. Vocations come from families and communities that are living their own vocations with holiness. For example, when parents are generous with their family size, their kids see that it is good to be generous with God. When single people dedicate themselves to service, they are building a culture where it is natural to be a man or woman for others. When retirees spend their time in intimate communion with God in prayer, others see this and are drawn to consider a deeper friendship with God. All of our vocations are necessary and complement one another in the life of the Church.

When I arrive at a new parish or school, I keep a look out for young men and women who I think have a vocation to the priesthood or religious life. Here at St. John’s, I see dozens! Let us work together as a community to raise up many more vocations to the priesthood and religious life!