Pray for the Seminarians of the Diocese of Des Moines
God Calls Us, Through Baptism, To Use Our Gifts
When we say, "I do," to our baptismal promises, we are reaffirming our baptismal vocation. Through baptism, the Lord calls us to use our gifts to serve God and one another. In the following video, parishioner, Rania Robb, shares the story of her call to use her gifts.
8 Ways We Can Help Nurture Vocations
Vatican II taught us that, through our Baptism, we all are called to holiness. Each of us must nurture our vocation and others’ vocations. This applies in a special way to encouraging priestly and religious vocations, whether we be parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts, or mentors.
Here’s how:
Be faith-filled people. Pray for guidance in decisions, and seek to deepen your relationship with God. Let Christian values guide you.
Be generous and of service to others.
Pray. Let the teens see you pray and pray with them in ordinary and extraordinary circumstances.
Share faith. Talk with teens about how faith affects your life.
Make and demand sacrifice. Help teens see both by example and by what you expect of them that a holy and happy life involves sacrifice.
Stay in touch. Get to know priests and religious by interacting with them as opportunities arise so that you are comfortable with them and understand their commitment. Attend an ordination if possible.
Educate. Teach teens about the option of a call to religious life or priesthood as well as the call to marriage or single life.
Support. If a teen speaks of a desire to be a priest, deacon, brother or sister, be supportive.
Catholic Update. August 2001 Fidelis Tracy, C.D.P.