VMReading Materials
The classroom area where magazines and books are displayed gets passed hundreds of times during an average week. Placing books and materials here promoting holiness can bring vocation awareness to students passively and cost-effectively. These materials should inspire youth to think about some aspect of vocations. The books or brochures may be about various topics: saints’ lives, how to pray a rosary for vocations, discernment, or about what life is like as a religious brother.
Resources:
Toddler
Pre-Reader
Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration Story Hour presents stories for Pre-Readers.
While the sisters enjoy reading the fun children’s stories, they say that the greater purpose behind the videos is to show young people bits of the convent and aspects of the religious life. Sister Regina commented, “If kids aren’t seeing sisters, they might not think it’s a possibility to give their life to God. Hopefully, that awakens the desire in them to give their life to God, or even just to listen to Him and pray more often or grow in their friendship with Jesus.”
Lower Elementary
Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration Story Hour presents stories for Early Readers.
While the sisters enjoy reading the fun children’s stories, they say that the greater purpose behind the videos is to show young people bits of the convent and aspects of the religious life. Sister Regina commented, “If kids aren’t seeing sisters, they might not think it’s a possibility to give their life to God. Hopefully, that awakens the desire in them to give their life to God, or even just to listen to Him and pray more often or grow in their friendship with Jesus.”
Pre-K- 8th
Did you know you can teach Pre-K through Grade 8 students the art of spiritual discernment in minutes a day! Teachers and homeschoolers can use this amazing resource as a post-recess activity to help children regain focus, too. Developed over two years and in a completely digital format for download, Sacred Story Youth teaches in age-appropriate ways simple lessons for students designed to:
- Develop daily a relationship with Jesus
- Discover Jesus’ love for you
- Introduce the Ignatian Examen
- Learn discernment for vocations
- Take breaks from technology
High School/College
- Online Guide to Religious Ministries for Catholic Men and Women: Resource to request vocation material from different religious orders that includes a brief description of each religious order and contact information. $10. 800-433-7771. www.religiousministries.com
- To Save A Thousand Souls: Father Brett A. Brannen’s book is the definitive guide for men discerning their vocation, explaining the priesthood, where they are in the discernment process, and the next step in the process. It is now the standard “catechism for discernment” throughout the country, with more than 100 U.S. dioceses ordering it in bulk. It has been translated into Spanish and reprinted in Europe and Asia. Young men affirm that this easy-to-read book answers most of their questions about discerning their vocation, and many seminarians cite its important role in their decision-making process. Available at Vianney Vocations in English or Spanish.
- Discerning Religious Life: I encourage priests to have books like To Save a Thousand Souls on hand to give to those seriously discerning priesthood, and now we have a book for young women who are discerning religious life, too. Teen girls and young women need truth and guidance while discerning. Sister Clare Mattiass, Vocation Director for the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal, has worked with hundreds of young women who felt called to religious life. In her book Discerning Religious Life she gives fresh perspective and insights for today’s youth, explaining with humor and wisdom how to discern with clarity the call of Jesus to become His bride.
- A Living Sacrifice: A Living Sacrifice is a comprehensive guide for men who are discerning God’s call. It serves as both an introduction to religious life as well as a comprehensive guide for discerning vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. With clear language, engaging examples, and solid theology, the book tackles the big questions: “Should I date while discerning?” “Should I be a diocesan priest or a religious brother?” “What community should I join?” “What should I expect during formation?” “What is religious life anyway?” and “How do I know for sure if I’m being called?” Importantly, A Living Sacrifice includes an overview of most forms of religious life in the U.S., as well as contributions from priests and brothers in many different communities, such as the Franciscans, Jesuits, Holy Cross, Norbertines, and many more. While authored by Dominican priests, the book is deliberately written for men discerning any religious community. A Living Sacrifice offers a solid alternative to “cyber discernment” by addressing men’s most common questions in a single volume. Perfect to bring into the chapel to spark a heart-to-heart conversation with Christ.
- VISION Vocation Guide and its VISION VocationNetwork.org are the most comprehensive resources available in print and online for those seeking information on Catholic religious vocations and men’s and women’s religious communities. Order copies of their vocation guide in print at no cost. For more information on the content, see their article index or read the current digital edition.
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