Before his passing, one of the last official statements issued by Pope Francis was his 2025 message for World Day of Prayer for Vocations.
Intended to coincide with Good Shepherd Sunday, in it, the Holy Father reminded the Christian faithful: “The discovery of our vocation comes about as the result of a journey of discernment. That journey is never solitary, but develops within a Christian community and as a part of that community.”
This year, the Diocese of Madison is delighted to celebrate the ordinations of four priests and four transitional deacons.
These newly ordained men will have an immediate impact on our parishes and pastorates as they serve as tangible reminders that Our Lord provides for us to be a mission-driven Church.
Besides witnessing and preaching the truths of the Gospel, these men will serve the People of God through their sacramental work, channeling the graces we need to live out our vocation and mission as lay disciples striving to be holy.
Our diocesan vocations office reports that at least five young men have applied to enter the seminary this fall and that several young women are in the process of entering Religious Life or seeking to become consecrated virgins.
In my past work within the Church, I served as executive director of the Institute on Religious Life
(religiouslife.com) for 17 years.
It was an honor and delight to be able to serve young people in their discernment process and to support active and cloistered religious communities living out their calling and charism within the Church.
In this rewarding work, what continually drove me was the firm conviction that “vocations are everyone’s business”.
Starting at home
Nurturing and fostering vocations begins at home with parents and families willing to encourage their children and siblings to seriously consider a possible call from the Lord to be a priest or consecrated religious.
It begins with creating a culture of prayer and discernment focused on what God ultimately wants from us in life, and not merely seeking worldly accomplishments or secular success.
Starting from an early age, children ought to be taught to listen with “the ear of their heart” by fostering an intimate relationship with Christ through prayer and reflection.
Involvement in parish life and charitable outreach are wonderful ways to deepen one’s faith and to expose young people to opportunities of service within the Church.
Such exposure — especially when it involves direct contact with priests or Religious — can be a pathway to reveal a deeper calling, simply reminding us that we are “made for more” and that some are indeed called to serve Him with an “undivided heart”.
Studies have shown that the number one way to encourage priestly or Religious vocations is to simply ask a young person if they have ever seriously considered this possibility.
Many seminarians and candidates for Religious Life reveal that it was an influential person in their life who proposed this exact question that either affirmed them or led them to take the initial steps to begin prayerfully considering it.
Once a person opens themselves to this possibility, it is up to us to accompany them in the long and at times painful process of discernment through loving encouragement and steadfast prayer — but never undue coercion.
Vocations are ultimately a gift from God and must always be accepted freely.
Doing our part
As the Diocese of Madison continues its Go Make Disciples efforts and the Into the Deep strategic plan implementation, we must embrace the responsibility that vocations are everyone’s business.
The renewal of our parishes and schools, along with all the many ministries and apostolic outreaches that are an important part of the Church’s mission, depends greatly upon priestly and religious vocations.
Pope Francis concluded his final World Day of Prayer for Vocations message by boldly stating: “The Church is alive and fruitful when she generates new vocations. Our world looks, often unknowingly, for witnesses of hope who proclaim with their lives that following Christ is a source of true joy. Let us never tire, then, of asking the Lord for new laborers for His harvest, certain that with great love He continues to call them.”
Let each of us do what we can to foster, support, and accompany priestly and Religious vocations by making it part of our everyday business!
Michael D. Wick is the director of mission for the Diocese of Madison.