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A Guide For Parents To Nurture Vocations
This information is provided to help you, as parents, fulfill your mission of teaching your children to pray and to discover their vocation as children of God.
Parents have lots of questions as to how to best foster vocations with their children, especially if a son or daughter indicates interest in becoming a priest or religious brother or sister.
Look first to your own vocational call to marriage and parenthood. By accepting children as a gift from God you embraced sacrifice with a loving and generous heart. If your child is called to the priesthood or religious life, it should be recognized as an awesome calling to serve God and supported with the same loving and generous heart that was evident when you decided to embrace marriage and the gift of children.
If you have any questions or concerns don't hesitate to contact the Office of Priestly Vocations.
It is the desire of every parent's heart to see their children grow to be fulfilled, happy and successful in life.
If children truly seek and find God's will for them, their lives will be fulfilled, happy, and successful.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that:
"Parents have the mission of teaching their children to pray and to discover their vocation as children of God;" (#2226) and that "They should encourage them in the vocation which is proper to each child, fostering with special care any religious vocation." (#1656)
If you feel that you need more knowledge about your faith, don't be afraid to ask questions and seek answers. Be patient with yourself and your child's uncertainties and know that God is always present and working in your lives.
This pamphlet has been designed to give you some ideas to assist you in accomplishing your mission. These are only suggestions and hopefully will prove to be an aid to you as you continue in fulfilling your vocational call to marriage and parenthood.
Through the intercession of the
Blessed Mother Mary and St. Joseph,
may you be fortified and blessed
in your role as parents.
Beatitudes For Nurturing Vocations In the Family
Blessed are the children of parents who...
- Witness love for their spouse, their children, their neighbor and the world.
- Lead their family in prayer
- Talk freely about the presence of God in the joys and sorrows of their lives.
- Remind their children that they are loved by God and have been given gifts to serve others
- Be welcoming and supportive to priests, brothers, sisters, deacons, and lay ministers in the Church.
- Participate in the lay ministries and activities of their parish and community.
- Encourage their children to consider the priesthood or religious life.
- Encourage their children to pray daily, to listen to God's call and if heard, to respond.
- Adapted from National Religious Vocation Conference
From the Earliest Years To the Primary Level:
- Help them to realize that prayer is a time to speak and listen to a loving God; let them see you pray.
- Show evidence of God's love for your child, other people, and the beauty of creation.
- Pray as a family at meals and at bedtime, when you travel, or have special needs.
- Read stories and talk about Jesus calling His Apostles to follow Him.
- Read and talk about Mary's "yes" to God.
- Give your children an age appropriate bible and a book about the saints when they first receive the sacraments.
- Make a commitment for your child to receive religious education.
From Intermediate to Junior High Level:
- Talk about using talents to serve others.
- Pray as a family for vocations.
- Provide literature or media about people who have responded to God's call to serve Him.
- Talk about the various roles the ministers in your parish provide.
- Engage in open and healthy conversations with your children about their hopes and dreams.
- Encourage them to participate in and contribute to parish and diocesan activities.
- Continue to keep family prayer as part of your daily life; invite your children to offer prayers.
From High School To Young Adult Level:
- Encourage your high school student to pray, reflect and seek God's desire for their lives.
- Discuss all options for your child's future, including a life of service in Church ministry.
- Be honest and fair when you talk about vocations to the Church; there are sacrifices in every choice we make, just as there are also many rewards.
- Encourage your teens and young adults to participate in service projects offered by the parish or the archdiocese.
- If your teen or young adult has indicated an interest in the priesthood or religious life, encourage them to attend a Discernment Weekend, or to visit one of the many Religious Orders in the archdiocese. Ask your parish priest to bring them to a "Be My Guest Dinner" or similar activity. Help them to find a mentor, perhaps your parish priest or a religious in a community nearby. Have them contact the Office of Priestly Vocations for assistance.
- If they are away at school encourage them to get involved with the campus ministry (e.g. the Newman Center or a chapel affiliated with their local college).
- Continue to pray for your children daily, especially during these years when they are making important decisions about their future.
- Have the confidence that God knows what is best and that His love and guidance will never fail you or your child.
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