National Vocation Awareness Week

National Vocation Awareness Week (NVAW) is an annual week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promote vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations.  NVAW began in 1976 when the U. S. bishops designated the 28th Sunday of the year for NVAW.  In 1997, this celebration was moved to coincide with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which falls on January 13 in 2013.  Beginning in 2014, NVAW was moved to the first full week of November. (via USCCB.org)

 

A message for National Vocations Awareness Week:

In his 2019 message for World Day of Prayer for Vocations, our Holy Father Pope Francis wrote:

The Lord’s call is not an intrusion of God in our freedom; it is not a “cage” or a burden to be borne. On the contrary, it is the loving initiative whereby God encounters us and invites us to be part of a great undertaking. He opens before our eyes the horizon of a greater sea and an abundant catch. … We are called to be bold and decisive in seeking God’s plan for our lives. Gazing out at the vast “ocean” of vocation, we cannot remain content to repair our nets on the boat that gives us security, but must trust instead in the Lord’s promise.

Profound and insightful words!  The Catholic Church in the United States “casts our nets” once more as we celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week, Nov. 3-9, 2019.

The word “vocation” means a “call” and it presumes someone calling and someone called.  As Catholics, of course, we identify “the caller” as God himself.  In our faith, we believe that God has a plan for each of us and that God calls us, invites us to consider that plan and, hopefully, accept.  Different from merely a job, a “vocation” is all-encompassing, requiring a free and willing response and total commitment to the One who calls and to what is asked of us in that call. [...continue reading]
 

Prayer for Vocations


God our Father, we thank you for

calling men and women to serve in your

Son’s Kingdom as priests, deacons, and

consecrated persons. Send your Holy

Spirit to help others to respond generously

and courageously to your call. May our

community of faith support vocations of

sacrificial love in our youth and young adults.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives

and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy

Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Amen.