Vocation Resources
Encouraging vocations is a job for everyone!
Women and men are nearly twice as likely to consider a vocation when encouraged by another person. Those who are encouraged by three persons are five times more likely to consider a vocation than someone who was not encouraged by anyone.
Vocations come from all age groups. Recent surveys indicate 40% of the men and almost 50% of the women first considered a vocation to religious life before they were 18 years of age. However that also means at least half of those entering discerned a call as adults.
Enjoy short videos from some ADW seminarians
Ray Gilmore was a catechist in our 6th grade Religious Education program last year. He's from St. Raphael's parish.
Ben Bralove joined our high schoolers on our 2019 Summer Service Trip to New York City. He has a great story of his journey into the Catholic faith, through a medical career, and then to seminary.
Danny Morrison is the younger brother of recently ordained Fr. James who was here as our summer seminarian.
Sr. Ann Kateri, a Little Flower parishioner, tells her vocation story with the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal
Fr. James Morrison celebrates his First Mass with his brother Deacon Nicholas as homilist. Fr. James was a seminarian here.
2020 Ride for Vocations promo video
How to help promote vocations:
- Pick up a "Seminarians of the Archdiocese" card at the back of church. Pray for these men each day.
- An updated copy of the trifold prayer list we've previously used during Lent
- Rosary for Vocations handout
- Novena for Vocations handout
- Discerning a Vocation handout
- Recommended Books for men and women on discernment
- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops vocations website
Survey Says:
- The average age of entrance to religious life is 28.
- Among college students involved in Catholic campus ministry: 66% of men and 39% of women have seriously considered religious life.
- Among men involved in diocesan young adult ministry: 84% of men and 30% of women have seriously considered religious life.
- Men who have attended a Catholic secondary school are six times more likely to consider being a priest or brother.
- The most common parish ministry experience prior to entrance (in order) is: lector, catechetical teacher, altar server, extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, and music ministry.
- Before entering, 53% participated in college campus ministry, 46% in high school ministry, and 40% in young adult ministry.
- More than 70% of all religious communities (both men’s and women’s) report having new members in formation. Nearly 20% have five or more people in some stage of formation. Religious institutes that have a focused mission, who live in community, who have regular prayer and sacramental life, and who wear a habit show a higher proportion of newer members.
Qualities desired in a candidate for priesthood or consecrated life
- One who considers a personal relationship with God as an important part of life.
- One who has an ability and willingness to talk about their faith life.
- One who has a desire to serve others and make a difference in people’s lives.
- One who is willing to sacrifice personal or material gain for the service of the Gospel and the Church.
- One who is recognized as being approachable.
- One who enjoys life, people, and has a sense of humor.
- One who has the ability to lead and work with people of all ages.
- One who recognizes the importance of the Church.
- One who forms and maintains healthy relationships with both men and women.
- One who has self confidence, has average to above average intelligence, and has good physical, mental and emotional health.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of the priesthood and consecrated life. We beseech your Holy Spirit to inspire men and women in the Archdiocese of Washington to answer the call to the priesthood and consecrated life. Give them the courage to embrace their vocation, the faith and zeal to follow You with joy, and the perseverance to remain loyal friends of your Son. Please protect and strengthen our seminarians, priests, deacons, brothers and religious sisters. Help all Christians to become better disciples of Jesus, and when our earthly pilgrimage is complete, bring us to the joy of your Kingdom. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.