USCCB urges Catholics to promote priestly and religious vocations during annual November week

Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks of New York issued a statement on Nov. 1 to mark the start of National Vocation Awareness Week. The observance runs through Nov. 7 and involves parishes, schools, and dioceses across the United States. Its purpose is to raise awareness of religious vocations and support individuals discerning a call to ordained ministry or consecrated life.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, or USCCB, provides materials for the week on its website in both English and Spanish. These resources include Holy Hours, prayers for vocations, and discernment tips. The committee also offers tools for parents to discuss vocations with their children. Specific guides include the "ABCs of Fostering Vocations" and suggestions for "Building a Domestic Church."

Archbishop Hicks serves as chairman of the USCCB Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations. He noted that the week reminds Catholics of the witness shown by priests, deacons, and members of consecrated life. He said the group thanks God for all vocations and prays for a deepened spirit of joy in marriage, the priesthood, the diaconate, and consecrated life. He stated that this joy-filled witness inspires young people to follow God's call with courage.

A top-10 list of actions to promote vocations is included in the USCCB materials. The list encourages Catholics to pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. It also suggests inviting active young adults and teens to consider these paths. The guidance directs parents and mentors to teach young people how to pray, citing Pope Benedict XVI's view that youth will not hear God's call unless they are taught prayer.

The list advises those considering a vocation to practice the faith, be good disciples, and enter into silence. It describes silence as key to sanity and wholeness. The text states that one can only hear God's voice if they are quiet. It specifically advises removing earbuds from devices such as iPhones, iPods, and iTunes players to listen to God.

A USCCB release accompanying the statement quoted Pope Leo XIV's message for the 63rd World Day of Prayer for Vocations. That message was issued on April 26. Pope Leo wrote that God dwells in human hearts and that a vocation involves an intimate dialogue with the One who calls. He described the response to this call as requiring true joy and generosity despite the noise of the world.

The Pope added that through the intimacy of friendship with God, individuals will discover how to give of themselves. He listed marriage, the priesthood, the permanent diaconate, and consecrated life as forms of this giving. He called every vocation an immeasurable gift for the Church and for those who receive it with joy.

National Vocation Awareness Week has a specific history within the U.S. Catholic Church. It began in 1976 when U.S. bishops designated the 28th Sunday of the year for this purpose. The goal was to call attention to the importance of upholding vocations and praying for those discerning a religious path. The observance also celebrated those already in ordained ministry and consecrated life.

In 1997, the celebration moved to the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. In 2014, the USCCB Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations shifted the observance to November. This change was made to influence youth and young adults by engaging Catholic schools and colleges during that month.

The current week aligns with the November timing established in 2014. The USCCB website currently hosts the full range of English and Spanish resources mentioned by Archbishop Hicks. The materials remain available for use by parishes and families throughout the week ending Nov. 7.