How Do We Increase Vocations?

Friends, there is no question about it: we need more priests!

Bishops and priests indeed have a key role to play in the encouragement of vocations. What draws a young man to the priesthood is, above all, the witness of happy, healthy priests. But I believe that lay people have an even more important role to play in the cultivation of vocations.

Priests, without exception, come from lay people; they come from families. The decency, prayerfulness, kindness, and encouragement of parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, and uncles make an enormous difference in the fostering of a vocation to the priesthood.

If you have remarked virtues in a young man that would make him an effective priest, assume that the Holy Spirit has given you this insight so that you might share it with that young man. Believe me, the plainest words you speak could be seeds that will bear fruit thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.

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[crazyedswonderfulworldofso]

I have a similar memory Bishop. At a young age I can remember going into my parents bedroom to kiss them goodnight and seeing my father on his knees at the side of the bed praying. The first time I asked what he was doing. He told me he was praying to God his creator. He said it with such reverence and love. Right then and there I knew I had to get to know this "God" my father spoke of. My father was my hero, my everything and if he had a hero (God), then I wanted to get to know him as well, in earnest. Thanks Dad for giving me my faith!

[tomws]

Here in France the Communauté de Saint Martin in France is growing. I'll be praying for vocations in your diocese.

[bktawiah]

This is so true, Bishop! I spent much time both at church and school (boarding). Many people commented on my academic strengths, and now I am a Professor of Chemistry. Recently (in the past four years), I have been asking myself why no one told me I could be a priest? I saw myself as not deserving the priesthood, yet I was a very good kid, active in my local church...we need to tell the young boys!

[skylergroen]

I think we could look where they are thriving (usually more “traditional” places) and try to implement it

[timcolby]

I have to agree with what you're saying. Very impressed with your presentation my brother. My dad was a minister and he was also a mechanical engineer for the United States Coast guard. He taught me quite a bit in my life especially how to be humble and do good works for other people. My mom was a great inspiration as well, she was catholic. It's a long story but it's a very beautiful Story of My Life and all the blessings that God has poured upon me and my family. I enjoy being a clergyman. I enjoy listening to all of our wonderful brothers in the clergy speak the truth about our Lord Jesus Christ. I also know quite a few nuns and they have always put into my mind and heart to be a priest. But, here I am many years later as a minister and yes I thoroughly enjoy everything I do in my life for those in my mission field and also in my personal life. It has fulfilled me and I have such great joy and satisfaction. God bless you my brother. And God bless all of you reading this comment. Minister Timothy michael. Chicago Illinois

[sallypinaysoulamen]

We have a prayer group in our Chapel community whose main intention is to consistently pray for more priest & religious vocations. I pray that other communities may have it as well. Because these individuals truly needs our powerful prayers. 🌹💜🙏

[vasilias]

I'm currently applying for the nashville diocese

[dawnlapka]

I hope that priestly Vocations, Vocations to religious life, consecrated lay life and marriages where the couple actively serve God's people in the Church grow and blossom, for the future of the Church. I love what you spoke, especially about Therese of Lisieux. God bless your ministry Bishop Barron. God bless W.O.F.

[commercialrealestatephilos]

Belief in the real presence.

It’s really that simple.

[erric]

Basically by promoting healthy vocations to marriage and the building of the domestic church. Where do seminarians come from after all? Obviously young men of many backgrounds can hear and respond to the call, but the main source of seminarians is coming from large devout families. A family centered on Christ will shine the Lumen Christi into the world in many ways, especially vocations to religious life.

[G-MIP]

More Adoration hours is great. But the simple way the church can increase vocations is to simply return calls, voicemails and emails. I am 100% serious that this would solve the problem! It’s really that easy.

...I was ghosted by several dioceses and religious orders. If I did get a response it was less than human, or I’ll be in touch — and then ghosted. Because of my sales and business background...I was persistent (and only because of my background). Most others would not be that persistent.

Getting the “call from God” is very scary. Being ignored sends a signal “we don’t need you” and it’s an easy out.

Religious orders and each Diocese need to “share” those that come forward with others if they are not a good match (ie age etc). A solid communication and follow up plan needs to be in place.

[dominicmeehan]

I think of the many many answered vocations were the result of a priest/religious/older person saying "you'd make a lovely priest/nun"... We are now paralyzed by fear that such a comment could/would be seen as offensive.

No one (especially priests); speaking about or praying for vocations

Thank you Bishop Barron. God bless your ministry, your knowledge, your enthusiasm. Thank you

[crispy]

I knew an elderly woman who died a few years ago. She told me that in the 1960s, she planned to become a nun. But then, they tossed away all the best Catholic traditions, and she decided she couldn't give her entire being to a lukewarm church.

She became a college professor instead and enjoyed that life. But she was a wonderful, devout woman, so a big opportunity was missed.

I think a lot of people -- men and women -- likely have given up thoughts of pursuing religious life for the same reasons that my friend did. The Catholic Church will always be a huge part of my life -- where else do we find the Eucharist? But the more it moves away from its roots and traditions -- yes, including Latin -- the more watered down it becomes.

[robbieray]

ICKSP and FSSP are at capacity, I wonder why

[alejandrocanela]

We could bring back Ember Days throughout the liturgical calendar, and switching to communion on the tongue.

[brianfarley]

Listen to Doc Petersen. Since Vatican II the call of the church for people
To adhere to Church teaching has been dumbed down. When your require less, you get less. Need to call for better liturgies and REIGN IN BAD PRIESTS who don’t do the liturgy correctly. Allow more TLM masses for Churches who want it. In fact it should be required that ALL priests learn it and to give one mass on each Sunday for it at least twice per month. You get higher standards from people when you ask Fr. Baron

[EarlSoC]

I often hear people saying that the decline of vocations has been because of something or another going on in the church, just no one can agree exactly on what it is. If that's the case, when we pray for God to inspire more men and women to religious vocation, we ought to be prepared for the Holy Spirit to change our lives first.

[ralphauer]

Bishop Barron is and has inspired many to the Catholic Church. And there will be many more. Hip hip hooray 🙏

[Stabu]

I don't think the main problem is that people wouldn't see the role of priest as an attractive career path. To me the major problem is the generally low, and falling, birth rate. The last statistics I found from 2022 showed that the average Catholic woman has 1.8 children in her lifetime, whereas she would have given birth to slightly over 6 children in the 1950's (the peak). If you're the only son, or even the only child, that your parents have, they might become very sad to know that no-one will carry on the family name or there won't be any grandchildren at all. I think this has moved many warm hearted young men who would make great priests not to pursue this avenue and instead to work on finding a spouse just to carry on the family legacy.

[STRENGTHFROMABOVE]

The scripture says, “The strength of the wicked is being cut off, and the power of the Godly is being increased.” Everything that’s trying to stop you, you need to see that power as being cut off. It may be hindering you now, but it’s only temporary. It’s not going to last. It has lost its source. Every day, it’s withering; every day, it’s getting weaker. On the outside, it may look the same, but on the inside, it’s drying up.