National Vocation Awareness Week celebrates calls to priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life

National Vocation Awareness Week is now underway throughout the U.S. Catholic Church. The specially-designated week, which runs from Nov. 5-11 and is sponsored by the  U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations, invites the faithful to promote vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renew prayers and support for those who are considering one of these vocations.
 
In his message for National Vocation Awareness Week, Father Michael Wallack, diocesan director of vocations, suggests that a vocation is not nurtured solely within the person being called, but within his or her entire family and parish community.
 
“Vocations are encouraged in the family and in the parishes all throughout our Diocese and the world, not just by your parish priests,” Father Wallack writes. “You would be amazed what a pivotal role parents and siblings and parishioners can play in the lives of young men who are encouraged toward the priesthood. As parents and siblings, you can set the stage for a priestly vocation just by praying together and encouraging them by keeping them close to the sacraments.  This allows their hearts to be open to the call and helps them listen to God’s voice.”
 
You can read Father Wallack’s full message, here.
 
National Vocation Awareness Week is also designed to help promote vocation awareness and to encourage young people to ask the question, “To what vocation in life is God calling me?” Parish and school communities across the nation are encouraged to include, during the first full week in November, prayer and special activities that focus on vocation awareness.  
 
More information and resources for National Vocation Awareness Week, including a prayer card, suggested prayers of the faithful and shareable quotes, are available at  www.usccb.org.
 
The Monitor recently published a special section in its Nov. 2 for NVAW, including an array of Vocations-related stories.