Ideas for Parents to Nurture Vocations
to the Priesthood and Consecrated Life
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As a family, pray a vocation prayer. Talk to your children about vocations and the importance
of priests, sisters, brothers and deacons in the Church and in your life.
Explain how these dedicated persons enrich the Church by their example,
service and prayer. Support and participate in any school or parish
vocation activities. Invite a priest, brother or sister to dinner or to
an outing with your family. Use books and videos to familiarize your children
with saints who are priests vowed religious. Use these lives of the saints as
a springboard for discussion on these lifestyles. In your family prayers include petitions for those
called to priesthood and consecrated life. Remember by name those who
minister to your family. Cultivate an attitude of service by responding as
a family to the needs of others. Seek out those in need and find ways to care
for them. Share the story of your own vocational choice with
your children. Celebrate the occasion of your wedding anniversary as you
share the story of your vocation to married life. |
Encourage your children to be involved in the
liturgical life of the parish as servers, lectors, musicians, etc. Celebrate the family feast days with stories of
their saint's special gifts or work for others. Name the gifts of each family member on their birthday.
Express gratitude for these gifts. Share with your children their Baptism pictures.
Have the children make and send a card or note to the priest who baptized
them promising him they will pray for them. Help your children make a cross to hang in each
bedroom in your home. Invite a priest to come and bless your home. Watch TV shows that present heroic lifestyles.
Help them to realize these are normal people with special dreams. Plan an adult evening with 4-5 couples and a
priest, brother, sister or deacon to have your questions answered. Challenge your adults to look at a Church-related
vocation. Tell them about the gifts of ministry you see in them. |
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