Six Ways to Promote Vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated Life With Your Children and Grandchildren

PRAY: The most powerful and obvious way to encourage vocations is through prayer. Firstly, as Bishop Daniel E Thomas asked, be sure to pray one Hail Mary each day for an increase in vocations to the priesthood in the Diocese of Toledo It’s ideal to pray this together as a family and explain why the prayer is important . Secondly, pray aloud with your children (or grandchildren), asking God to help them discern their vocation If you can go to Eucharistic Adoration together, that’s best.

WATCH: A great introduction to the priesthood and religious life can be books and movies Books like Molly McBride and the Purple Habit, The Monks’ Daily Bread and The Story of Saint John Paul II: A Boy Who Became Pope are picture books that children will love! For movies, many parishes offer FORMED to parishioners for free Similar to Netflix, FORMED org gives you access to Catholic movies, audiobooks and much more, including content for kids Videos like Brother Francis, Hildegard’s Gifts and Littlest Saints are highquality and engaging.

VISIT: Providing opportunities for children to interact with priests and consecrated religious is a great way to help children recognize that God might be calling them to the same vocation! Take time to speak with your priest at parish gatherings or after Mass or invite him over to your home for a meal Visit a convent of sisters . Look for events where priests or consecrated religious will be present Find opportunities to build friendships with priests and consecrated religious persons so your children can see those vocations lived joyfully!

PLAY: Use your imagination when promoting vocations to little ones! It can be as simple as playing make-believe as religious sisters using a blanket as a habit . If you have a talent for sewing, consider making an All Saints Day costume featuring a priest or consecrated religious saint . You can also encourage play by purchasing gifts like a toy Mass kit or a saint doll You can find gifts like this in many places, such as Dolls From Heaven (dollsfromheaven com), Shining Light Dolls (shininglightdolls com) and Wee Believers (weebelievers com).

TALK: Simply talking about vocations is crucial From the earliest years of your child’s life, talk about what a vocation is and the different vocations God may be calling them to.

GO: Priesthood ordinations and vow professions are incredible, powerful celebrations Take your family to join the celebration so they can witness it firsthand