Documents
Affirmation
Seminarian Welcome Back Gift
All seminarians need affirmation throughout their process of discernment. As a ministry, consider giving those seminarians from your parish or all diocesan seminarians a small gift when they return to the seminary at the beginning of the fall semester.
World Day for Consecrated Life
- World Day for Consecrated Life Banner (PDF)
- World Day for Consecrated Life Banner (Spanish) (PDF)
- Intercessions for Consecrated Life (PDF)
- Consecrated Life Bulletin Series (Word)
Download the following prayer cards from usccb.org:
- Prayer for the YEAR OF CONSECRATED LIFE
- Oración para EL AÑO DE LA VIDA CONSAGRADA (Spanish version of Prayer for the Year of Consecrated Life)
- Intercessions for the Year of Consecrated Life
Awareness and Education
Book Rack Materials
- Vision Magazine: Comprehensive resource available in print and online for those seeking information on Catholic religious vocations and men’s and women’s religious communities; since 1987. 800-942-2811. www.vocationnetwork.org/
- ABCs of Fostering Vocations: Parental guide on how to foster vocations within the home from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/parents/abcs-of-fostering-vocations.cfm
- Vianney Vocations: Catholic company that provides professional services to vocation ministries, including brochures, videos, pamphlets, and more.877-585-1551. www.vianneyvocations.com
- Litany for priests: Simple but incredibly moving litany by The Discalced Nuns of New Caney, Texas, whose mission is to promote prayer for priests.281-399-0270. 1100 Parthenon Place New Caney, TX 77357-3276
- A 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
Discerner’s Packet
We know there are youth at every parish discerning their vocation, but most do not have the information needed to make informed choices during this time. A Vocation Ministry can easily help by placing this information at their fingertips in the church book rack, website, or youth room.
Discerning Religious Life
A parish can never have enough resources to give those discerning the priesthood or consecrated life. 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 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. Make sure to have copies on hand at your church to give to those seriously discerning a call to consecrated life.
Available at Vianney Vocations
Festival Table
Purchase items for your festival table:
Melchizedek Project
- Request a start-up packet
- Request Group Materials
- Request Promotional Posters
- Buy the Book: To Save a Thousand Souls: A Guide for Discerning a Vocation to Diocesan Priesthood.
Available at Vianney Vocations in English or Spanish. - In e-reader and International version, find at www.amazon.com
- If you have a discernment group, go to www.melchizedekproject.com for free books.
Ministry Fair
Promotional Materials
- Cafepress.com: Bumper stickers and buttons that promote the priesthood.
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.
Every Vocation Ministry should have copies of this book on hand to present to a young man discerning the priesthood. Furthermore, every ministry member should read the book to gain knowledge of the discernment process for these young men.
To Save a Thousand Souls: A Guide for Discerning a Vocation to Diocesan Priesthood is Available at Vianney Vocations in English or Spanish.
Witness to Love
Witness to Love has been proven to be very effective in preparing couples for marriage and successfully integrating them into their parish. Newly married couples still attend Mass and are active in their parish years after their wedding day. A recent case study found that the full implementation of Witness to Love at a parish in 2012 took the divorce rate from 23% to 0% each year over the next four years.
You may review the program risk-free by visiting WitnessToLove.org
World Marriage Day
World Marriage Day can be celebrated in various ways, but most importantly it is done by uplifting those who have said YES to one another in the sacrament of marriage.
- For more information, including blessings, intercessions, prayer service, and more ideas. visit:
http://wmd.wwme.org/downloads/ - Prayer for our Marriage (PDF)
Young Adult Ministry in a Box
The program offers several sessions dedicated to vocations, as well. Young Adult Ministry in a Box is an online subscription to a resource kit that will help you create and sustain a vibrant young adult ministry with minimal staff time at minimal cost with maximum results. Check it out here: https://www.youngadultministryinabox.com/
Leadership
Prayer
Adoration for Vocations
- Novena of Prayer for Priestly Vocations (Word)
- Prayer Booklet (PDF)
- Rosary for Priests (PDF)
- Scriptural Rosary for Vocations (PDF)
- Adoration for Vocations Banner (PDF)
- My Adoration Prayer Journal (PDF)
- My Adoration Prayers Journal – Spanish (PDF)
- My Adoration Prayers Journal (Word)
- My Adoration Prayers Journal – Spanish (Word)
Purchase the following from
Vianney Vocations website:
Blessing over Married Couples
Let the Children Come to Me
Intercession
Along with asking for God’s help and Our Blessed Mother’s prayers, ask for the intercession of the saints who strived for holiness on earth and are now saints in heaven praying for our ministry and its activities. While many venerable and saints can be called upon for prayers for vocations, a few, in particular, are well-known intercessors for these activities.
- Saint Alphonsus Marie Liguori, Patron of Vocations and Theologians
- Blessed Junípero Serra, Patron of Vocations
- Saint John Mary Vianney, Patron of Priests
- Saint Charles Borromeo, Patron of Seminarians
- St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, Patron of Clergy
- Saint Monica, Patron of Married Women
- St. Scholastica, Patron of Nuns
Prayer Cards for Vocations
- Morning Offering (PDF)
(more can be purchased by contacting Accel Print Shop in Houston at accel@aprintshop.com or call 713-952-9599 (500 for $215, extra for shipping) - Vocation Prayer Cards (PDF)
(more can be purchased by contacting Accel Print Shop in Houston at accel@aprintshop.com or call 713-952-9599 (1000 for $95, extra for shipping)
Purchase the following from
Vianney Vocations website:
Prayer Drive
Prayer for a Seminarian
Spiritual Adoption Program
Traveling Vocations Cross Program
Vocation Prayers
- Vocation Prayer from Sioux Falls and Rapid City (PDF)
- Adapted for Parents and Grandparents (PDF)
- Litany for Vocations (Word)
- Litany for Priests – Oremus pro Invicem (Word)
- Litany for Priests – Spanish version (Word)
Prayer cards available for purchase from religiouslifecatalog.com and vocationsandprayer.org:
Way of the Cross for Vocations:
- English: Full Sheet | Booklet
- Spanish: Full Sheet | Booklet
- Bilingual: Full Sheet | Booklet
A collection of amazing prayers for seminarians, priests, and vocations in general:
World Day of Prayer for Vocations
- Program – World Day of Prayer Holy Hour (PDF)
- Inspirational Prayer Material (PDF)
- Optional Novena (PDF)
- World Day of Prayer for Vocation Worship Aid (Word)
- Adoration for Vocations Aid (Word)
- World Day of Prayer for Vocations Banner (PDF)
- World Day of Prayer for Vocations Banner v2 (PDF)
- My Adoration Prayer Journal (PDF)
- My Adoration Prayers Journal – Spanish (PDF)
- My Adoration Prayers Journal (Word)
- My Adoration Prayers Journal – Spanish (Word)
Check out these amazing bulletin inserts and prayer card:
Youth
Altar Server Recognition at Mass
- Altar Server Certificate (Word)
Art Contest
Children’s Mass Kit
Christmas Carols
- Text lyrics of most Christmas carols: click here to visit catholicdoors.com for a library of 178 song lyrics.
National Vocation Awareness Week
Panel Discussion
Seminarian Trading Cards
Table Tents
- Bulletin – Mass Announcement (Word)
- Bulletin – Mass Announcement (PDF)
- Downloadable Table Tent Bi-Lingual (Word)
- Table Tent Bi-Lingual (PDF)
Parishioner Parent letter to accompany table tent:
Teacher’s Vocation Guide
Teachers are called amidst already busy schedules to be more than knowledge transmitters. Students send out signals as they tackle academic and life issues. As a teacher, you have been gifted with the opportunity to respond to your students and to touch their lives by example, by listening, and by providing meaningful feedback.
The purpose of this Quick Reference Guide is to suggest ways that you can encourage vocations to priesthood, religious life, and other Church leadership without sacrificing time needed to complete your curriculum.
Vocation Bible School
Discovery Mission uses a traditional VBS format, with half-day lessons for five days and is every bit as fun and engaging as some of the “big players” in the VBS market. It’s 100% Catholic, and is focused on teaching kids about marriage, priesthood, and religious life. Discovery Mission is not just good for kids, it’s good for the Church! Check it out here: https://www.vocationbibleschool.com/
Vocations Jeopardy
Walking Rosary for Vocations
- How to Pray the Rosary for Children: Buy Package of 50 at catholiccompany.com
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