May 7, 2022

GUEST COMMENTARY: Three ways to pray for vocations  

REGIONAL
By Father Augustine Judd, OP, Special to iObserve

 

“Ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest” (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2).

Inspired by this instruction of the Lord, the Catholic Church sets aside Good Shepherd Sunday, which falls on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, as the annual World Day of Prayer for Vocations.

While appreciating all vocations, the church concentrates its attention this day on vocations to the ordained ministries (priesthood and diaconate); consecrated life in all its forms (male and female religious life, societies of apostolic life, consecrated virginity); secular institutes in their diversity of services and membership; and to the missionary life. Moreover, it unites the faithful in praying both for those currently discerning vocations to ordained ministry and consecrated life and for those living out these vocations.

While it is important that we “ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest” in a general way, here are three particular ways to focus and direct our prayer for vocations and the men and women discerning and living them:   

Pray to identify someone you know who has, or someone you think might have, a vocation to the priesthood and/or consecrated life. 

Is there a young man or young woman who strikes you as having a special love for prayer? For service? Is there a young man or young woman who is particularly joyful? Kind? Affable? Wise?  Regularly involved in church activities?

Perhaps one of your own children or grandchildren or nieces or nephews strikes you as having one or more of these qualities. Regarding those who are already living out these vocations, certainly pray for the perseverance of the vocations of all priests and consecrated person, but be sure to pray regularly for this priest and this consecrated person as well.

Pray about how you are going to encourage this individual.  

If you are a parent or grandparent and think one or more of your offspring may have a vocation, pray to have the courage and concern to speak directly and casually to them about their unique vocations. Pray to be able to show gentleness and restraint in doing so with those who do not respond well to directness at first. Note that “restraint” here does not mean never speaking about or initiating the topic. It means one might start off by gently encouraging them to listen to God. It means reminding them to open to receiving the immense love God has for them, and showing them how he desires a relationship with them.

Others might respond better with a quick bit of direct encouragement. For example, one might approach a young man or young woman and say, “You know, I have noticed how often you come to church to pray (or how reverently you serve Mass or serve as lector, or how much you love teaching or taking care of others). You may have a vocation to be a priest/brother/sister/contemplative nun. You should think and pray about it. It can be hard to figure out where the Lord is calling you. I will certainly pray that it becomes clearer for you, and I want to encourage you in every way possible.” 

Then leave it to the Holy Spirit and that person’s heart

Praying about how you are going to encourage this individual, do not be paralyzed by fear that you might go about it the “wrong way.” Do it anyway, even if awkwardly or poorly. Absolutely no vocation was discovered and pursued without the encouragement of another, whether from a priest or religious or family member or friend.

As for encouraging those individuals already living out vocations to priesthood and/or consecrated life, pray about how you are going to invite, befriend, encourage and, if need be, forgive them. Be specific. Priests and consecrated persons need friends who are not priests and consecrated persons. They need their love, and they need their understanding that they too “hold this treasure in earthen vessels” (1 Cor 4:7).

Pray for greater strength and final perseverance in your own settled vocation. 

The different vocations in the church nourish each other and depend on each other. It is no accident that in places where there is a crisis in priestly vocations or religious vocations, there is also a crisis in married and lay vocations. Stable, happy, and loving married couples produce stable, happy, and loving priests and consecrated people. Stable, happy, and loving priests and consecrated people are more free and able to accompany married and lay people on their earthly pilgrimage.

These are just three ways to hone our need to” ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” There are doubtless many, many more. Ask the master of the harvest to send them to you as well.

Father Judd is delegate for consecrated life for the Springfield Diocese.