Introduction
A vocation is the call to facilitate an encounter between a person and God which allows the person to understand they are loved.
The aim of this page is to provide an opportunity for anyone who may consider or be thinking about a vocation to the priesthood or religious life, as well as to ask and encourage people to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
Explore Vocations
‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening’
Samuel was lying in the sanctuary of the Lord, where the ark of God was, when the Lord called, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ He answered, ‘Here I am.’ Then he ran to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, since you called me.’ Eli said, ‘I did not call. Go back and lie down.’ So he went and lay down. Once again the Lord called, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, since you called me.’ He replied, ‘I did not call you, my son; go back and lie down.’ Samuel had as yet no knowledge of the Lord and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. Once again the Lord called, the third time. He got up and went to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, since you called me.’ Eli then understood that it was the Lord who was calling the boy, and he said to Samuel, ‘Go and lie down, and if someone calls say, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.”’ So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
The Lord then came and stood by, calling as he had done before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ Samuel answered, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’
Samuel grew up and the Lord was with him and let no word of his fall to the ground.
1 Samuel 3:3-10,19
In the modern world, few would think that they are ‘religious’ or ‘holy’ enough to have a vocation; most would dismiss or even feel uncomfortable with the notion – many would fear the response from family, friends and wider society. In truth, there is little support or encouragement, but the call of men and women has not stopped. The purpose of this page is to allow anyone who has thought about a vocation to priesthood or religious life an opportunity to further explore what a vocation means.
Pray for Vocations.
The Harvest is Rich, but the labourers are few.
And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Matthew 9:35-38
As a faith community, we are called by Jesus to pray for vocations – in good times and in difficult times. We are called to pray and support vocations. This is not easy to do; many feel uncomfortable talking about this with family or friends; some feel the life could be too difficult or hard in the current environment. As Christians, we are called to let go of our thoughts and prejudice and allow God to guide. A better understanding and appreciation of what vocation to the priesthood and religious life is about and means can be found in the links below.
https://www.galwaydiocese.ie/diocese/apostolic-activity/vocations