Vocation Corner

Why do some dioceses have more seminarians than others? In a recent article, the National Catholic Register reported six habits of highly effective dioceses that are excelling in vocations.

1. Eucharistic adoration. Dioceses that promote eucharistic adoration have more seminarians. Jesus the Good Shepherd calls us by name. Eucharistic adoration provides a living encounter with Jesus truly present in the Eucharist and an opportunity to hear his voice.

What a blessing to have eucharistic adoration chapels throughout our archdiocese. If you stop in one of these chapels, you ’ll see a sign: Please pray for vocations during your holy hour. Pope Benedict said, “Where there is prayer, vocations will flower.”

2. Personal invitation. Seventy-eight percent of all priests said they were personally invited to consider the priesthood by another priest. God often calls us through other people.

Recently, Msgr. Mullen, pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Kansas City, Kan., noticed a young man in his 20s attending daily Mass and staying after Mass to pray. Monsignor introduced himself to this young man and simply raised the question, “Have you ever thought about the priesthood?” This young man is now discerning entering the seminary this fall!

3. Interaction with priests. Youth who know priests and Sisters are more apt to consider a religious vocation. Visibility is important. Youth who get to know priests and Sisters through school, retreats, or socially —and those who serve Mass — are more likely to enter religious life.

4. Faithful to the magisterium (the church’s teaching authority). Dioceses who have priests and Sisters faithful to the magisterium have more vocations. Youth want to give their lives to something they really believe. They are attracted to the truth and authenticity of the church ’s teaching and want to live according to that.

5. Faithful families. Families that live a sacramental life and pray together have more religious vocations. Unfortunately, many families today seldom pray more than a meal prayer together. Pope John Paul encouraged families to turn off the TV and pray the rosary. The rosary turns our minds to images from the life of Jesus. TV, on the other hand, often fills our minds with images contrary to the faith.

6. World Youth Day. Dioceses that send youth to World Youth Day (WYD) have more religious vocations. At WYD in Toronto, Pope John Paul said, “Be not afraid if God is calling you to be a priest or religious.” Shawn Tunink felt the pope speaking directly to him. He is in his third year of seminary.

Father Kent O’Connor’s vocation was influenced by World Youth Day in Denver. If you or someone you know are interested in going to World Youth Day in Australia in 2008, please go to: www.archkck.org and click on “youth.”

Father Brian Schieber is the archdiocesan vocations director.