Vocations: Discerning God's Plan For Your Life!
Mission Statement: To share in the vision for a more vocation minded parish through Prayer, Education, and Encouragement opportunities
Ministry Head: Father Thomas Morrette
Chairperson: Vacant
Secretary/Communication Coordinator: Vacant
"It is not surprising that where people pray fervently, vocations flourish.” Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Francis said in his letter for the 2017 World Day of Prayer for Vocations, “As disciples, we do not receive the gifts of God’s love for our personal consolation, nor are we called to promote ourselves…We are simply men and women touched and transformed by the joy of God’s love, who cannot keep this experience to ourselves…I ask parish communities, associations, and the many prayer groups present, not to yield to discouragement but to continue praying that the Lord will send workers into his harvest.”
WHAT IS A VOCATION?
Vocation (from the Latin vocare, meaning “to call” ) typical refers to those aspiring to become priests. A more definitive Catholic understanding of vocations also includes those who choose to live a single life, those who seek marriage, and those who respond to the call of a consecrated life as a sister or monk or as an ordained priest. As Pope Francis put it, it is men and women so touched and transformed by the joy of God’s love, they must become missionaries and disciples to share their experiences with others.
WHAT CAN I DO TO DISCERN A VOCATION?
The first step is prayer. Parents can pray for their children to discern a vocation. Prayers for vocations can be offered during a rosary. You can pray a prayer of vocations at each and every mass that God would call someone from your parish. We can pray with our families at mealtime. We can even pledge to pray on an international level by visiting the the website invisiblemonastery.com and choosing the Diocese of Albany, then pledge when you will pray.
Another step is Eucharistic Adoration. If you are discerning a vocation into Holy Orders or any vocation, praying before the Blessed Sacrament brings Jesus close to you and your discernment. We are blessed to offer 24/7 Eucharistic Adoration at St. Augustine’s Church in the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel. If you would like more information on Eucharistic Adoration you can click here.
Have a conversation about the consecrated life. Sometimes we know someone in our parish that we think would be perfect in a vocation, but they are either discerning and unsure or have never thought about it. Sometimes the Holy Spirit wants to use our kindness to offer a stepping stone on the path of a journey to vocations. Don’t be afraid to tell that young man he may make a great priest or that young women to look into a consecrated life as a sister. It may be your suggestion that plants a seed that will ripen into a discipleship for Jesus.
Talk to a priest. If you feel you are being called to be a priest, be not afraid! Pray daily, seek the sacraments, and talk to a priest.
To contact our Albany Diocese: Office of Vocations, Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
Office: (518) 453-6690 | 40 North Main Avenue – Albany, NY 12203 | Email: vocations@rcda.org
Vocations Through the Albany Diocese
-
Considering the Holy Orders as a Priest?
Our Lady of Victory Church is honored to have housed many men pursuing their call to the priesthood during their time at seminary. Some of our more recent Albany Diocese priests have found a home, if even for a short time at Our Lady of Victory Church and Our Lady of the Snow Mission. After the ordination of 2022, newly ordained Father Russell Bergman returned to Our Lady of Victory Church to say his very first Mass as a priest. Below is the archived livestream from June 19, 2022 - Corpus Christi Sunday:
-
Considering the Diaconate?
VIDEO: Our Lady of Victory Church, Parishioner Deacon Al Censullo reflects on his journey to ordained ministry.
-
Considering the Religious Life as a Sister or Nun?
VIDEO: From Ascension Press, Sister Maris Stella tells the story of how she found her vocation with the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia in Nashville. Beforehand she had a comfortable life with many friends, was in college and had a boyfriend. But when she chose the religious life, she began the greatest adventure of her life.
VIDEO: Eucharistic Holy Hour for Vocations
PRAYERS FOR VOCATIONS
A Prayer with the Blessed Virgin’s Intercession
Hail Mary, full of grace;
all generations call you blessed.
Hail Mother of God; when asked by the angel
to bear the Son of the Most High,
filled with faith, you responded:
“Let it be done unto me.”
Holy Mother of Jesus, at the wedding feast at Cana,
you prompted your Son to perform his first sign.
Be with us as we discern our life’s work
and guide us in the way we are called to follow
in the footsteps of your Son.
Holy Mother of the Savior, at the foot of the cross
you mourned the death of your only Son.
Bless and embrace the loving parents of all priests,
deacons, brothers and sisters.
Holy Mother of the Good Shepherd,
turn your motherly care to this nation.
Intercede for us to the Lord of the harvest
to send more laborers to the harvest
in this land dedicated to your honor.
Queen of Peace, Mirror of Justice, Health of the Sick,
inspire vocations in our time.
Let the word of your Son be made flesh anew
in the lives of persons anxious to proclaim
the good news of everlasting life.
Amen.