The Catholic Church in the United States will celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week, Nov. 7-13. It is an important time for the Catholic Church in Northeast Ohio and dioceses across the U.S. as events take place to foster an appreciation for all vocations and pray specifically for those discerning a vocation to ordained ministry and consecrated life.
In his message for the 58th annual World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Pope Francis offered St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus, as a model for vocational discernment. “Amid all these upheavals, (St. Joseph) found the courage to follow God’s will. So too in a vocation: God’s call always urges us to take a first step, to give ourselves, to press forward. There can be no faith without risk. Only by abandoning ourselves confidently to grace, setting aside our own programs and comforts, can we truly say ‘yes’ to God,” he said, and exhorted the Church to look to St. Joseph as an “outstanding example of acceptance of God’s plans.”
Bishop James F. Checchio of Metuchen, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations reminds us that studies of those recently ordained and religiously professed consistently show that the encouragement of the parish priest is the most influential factor in vocational discernment. But the accompaniment of the whole faith community is key for genuine vocational discernment – from one’s parents and family members, to the Catholic educators, as well as the vital role that youth ministers and fellow parishioners play as the early encounters for young people to the faith. In fact, all of us must contribute to a culture of vocations in our Church that seeks to encourage and support our young people to respond to God’s call in their lives, whether that is to the single life, the married life, the consecrated life or the ordained life. Our young are happiest when they discover God’s plan for them.
The vocation office of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland serves those who are discerning a vocation, especially to the priesthood or consecrated life, helping them to receive the clarity of the Holy Spirit and the courage to act. If you know of a person who has the qualities of a good priest or religious man or woman, please let them know that you will support them if God is truly calling them to that special vocation. Encourage them to speak with a pastor or someone else who can help guide them along their journey.
For those currently discerning a vocation, I recommend that you pray to God and ask the intercession of our Blessed Mother, Mary, who is the mother of all vocations. Mary, who gave a courageous “Yes” to God’s call in her life, can inspire all of us to give our lives generously to the Lord too.
Click here to contact the diocesan Vocation Office for more information about discerning a vocation.