Resources
VOCATION PRAYERS
Vocations begin with prayer. Please make use of our growing collection of prayers for vocations and prayers for vocation discernment that have appeared in VISION in print or online.
Consecrated life through the ages (Religious Life Timeline)
From ancient desert monasticism to contemporary forms of religious life, a small band of Christian men and women in every generation choose to consecrate their lives to God with unique vows of love and service that give radical witness to the gospel.
Infographic: Who is answering the call to religious life?
Who is considering a vocation to consecrated life? How old are they? Where do they live? What kind of community interests them? Find out here.
FOR BULLETIN EDITORS & DISCERNERS: Reflections on consecrated life
Insightful quotes and reflections on consecrated life for use in parish bulletins or on the parish website for every week of the Year of Consecrated Life and beyond.
VOCATION FACT SHEET
Myths and misconceptions abound when it comes to consecrated life and religious vocations. We are happy to bust those myths by putting facts at your fingertips. VISION Vocation Network tracks vocation trends annually. Don’t forget to sign up to receive our award-winning E-Vocation newsletter to stay up-to-date on vocation news.
PRAYER CARD: Pope Francis Prayer for Vocations
Please make use of this prayer for vocations by Pope Francis in your homes, classrooms, youth ministry gatherings, and parish liturgies.
Find your spirituality type
Take a short quiz to find out your spirituality type.
TAKE FIVE WIDGET
Would you like today's Take Five reflection to appear on your website every day?
FOR LITURGISTS & PRAYER MINISTERS | petitionary prayers | song | vocation prayers
Please include a petitionary prayer in honor of the Year of Consecrated Life at every liturgy, and sing our specially commissioned song, Wake the World With Dawning Joy.
FOR PARISHES & PREACHERS: Sample homilies that encourage vocation discernment
Here are some quick tips and sample homilies on vocation-related themes.
Beholden to no one but God
A Catholic journalist had an assignment to interview religious sisters about their work. As she made call after call, a theme emerged: The sisters saw the journalist, and publicity in general, as a nuisance to endure or, if possible, to avoid. Perhaps these sisters, and other men and women in consecrated life, need a crash course in how to grab their 15 minutes of fame.
VOCATION RESOURCES: Myths busted and questions answered
Here are some additional VISION articles that help separate the fact and fiction about religious life.
FOR PARENTS: Fostering happiness, holiness, and faithfulness
Suggestions to help you in your role as your children's primary teachers about life, love, and the joys of being Catholic.
FOR DREs | TEACHERS | CATECHISTS
Tips, insights, and lesson ideas for Catholic religious educators for encouraging prayer, discernment, and vocations.
Consecrated life: Words of wisdom
A gathering of quotes about consecrated life. We continue to add to the list. Feel free to send quotes our way.
FOR YOUTH, YOUNG ADULT & CAMPUS MINISTERS
Ideas gathered from VISION Vocation Network's rich store of articles and online features for young men and women to learn more about their Catholic faith, their spirituality, and the vocation options available to them as they seek to find the path in life that will give them the most joy and fulfillment.
Back in God's embrace: How to make a good Confession
Confessing our sins helps us to recognize our weaknesses and our need for God's forgiveness and embrace.
Catholic social teaching: a guide
You shouldn’t have to learn about Catholic social teaching on the streets—but that’s not a bad place to start!
Point and click to pray
A guide to websites that bring prayer and spiritual development right to your computer.
Reader Statistics: Current and Archived
Look who's interested in a religious vocation.
Help is at hand: Guidebooks on the way to religious life
VISION ASKED VOCATION MINISTERS in the U.S. and Canada to recommend some of the best books on life as a priest, religious sister, or religious brother. What follows is a list of some of the good reading they recommend.
Give us this day our daily blog
The blogosphere is not lacking when it comes to Catholic religious life and discernment.
HOMILY: The biblical notion of call
Noted biblical scholar Fr. Donald Senior, C.P. outlines the fundamental qualities in the scripture stories where Jesus calls disciples, including the fact that discipleship begins not with a choice but a call.
U.K. Vocation Links
Let us help you explore your spirituality and gather information about religious communities and religious life in the U.K.
Start with these helpful websites:
HOMILY: For what purpose have you come?
World Day for Consecrated Life, February 8, 2015 (Lectionary number 74)
HOMILY: Take a moment of silence
Cardinal Timothy Dolan passes on the important lessons he learned about the vocations from two sheep herders and the Good Shepherd.
A sample homily for WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS; READINGS FOR FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER. Adaptable for other vocation-related homilies throughout the year.
FAQs: Frequently asked questions about vocations
Many people use the word vocation (from the Latin vocare, meaning "to call") in reference to the call to be a priest, sister, or brother. However, the Catholic understanding of vocation is much broader: every baptized person has a vocation--a call--to love and serve God.
Podcast: What is faith?
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1).
Podcast: America, the Beautiful
Happy 4th of July!! Let Freedom Ring! Make sure to sport your best red, white and blue attire and prepare to R-O-C-K in the USA with this ultimate 4th of July playlist!!
How to use Vocation Match
This short instructional video explains how to use VISION Vocation Match to help you discern your calling.
Podcast: Spring Showers
April Showers bring May Flowers! We've shed some tears this April and in Aprils past. This playlist will offer you the hope you need to appreciate those May flowers!
PODCAST: Cupid Shuffle
Love is in the air! Watch Out Cupid!! He won't be needing his arrows this year with this amazing playlist of ultimate love songs just in time for Valentine's Day!
PODCAST: Christmas Jingles
HO! HO! HO! It's Christmas time and tis the season to be jolly! These Christmas favorites will have you rocking around the Christmas tree all night!
PODCAST: Thankful Thanksgiving
Gobble gobble!! No need to worry about the tryptophan setting in after your Thanksgiving meal. I plan to have you and the turkey up and dancing!
PODCAST: Tricks and Treats
BOO! Hopefully there won’t be too many tricks this Halloween, but as for Treats, oh do I have the playlist for you.
PODCAST: Called to be saints
Do you think you have what it takes to be a saint? Here is a playlist dedicated those who are saints and those who are working on becoming saints.
PODCAST: Runner's delight
Find your happy pace! Get up, get moving, and have a good time!
PODCAST: Welcome Back!
As the summer fades, reflect on the good times and prepare for the year ahead.
PODCAST: Sacred Music
Spiritual music takes you into the heart of Christ
Spinning with the Spirit - VISION music podcasts
Having trouble finding your groove---let me--DJ Phyre--help you find it.
How to create a culture of discernment
Creative ways to use VISION in your home.
Family movie night
Film lovers, you might be surprised at the movies that have received the Vatican’s thumbs up. Read the Vatican Commission’s reviews of each film here. And then pick one to watch with your family. Popcorn required.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
As parents, it is worth exploring your children’s answers to this question at each stage of their lives.
Explore VISION Vocation Guide
VISION is an essential tool for anyone interested in learning about specific religious vocations or religious orders, or to find upcoming events for prayer, reflection, and service. Check out the current issue and reflect on and discuss an article.
Vocation Match: Discover where God may be calling you
Use VISION Vocation Match, a fun, simple tool to help you figure out where God is calling you.
Explore vocation through service
Work as a youth or campus ministry group to explore the importance of service in action, then discuss the experience.
Interview a priest, sister, or brother
Meet with someone in religious life--a Catholic brother, sister, or priest--and ask these suggested questions.
For Religious Educators: Vocation Lesson Plans
Creative ways to use VISION in the classroom.