Vocation Basics: Essentials for the vocation journey
Questions | Other vocations | Prayers | Basic terms | Types | Way of life | Process | Timeline of religious life through the ages
Vocation Basics | Vocation and discernment 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.
Four steps to vocation discernment
Follow these four time-honored steps as you discern where God is calling you.
Find your spirituality type quiz
Take a short quiz to find out your spirituality type.
Celibacy quiz: Can you live a celibate life?
Take this quiz to test your ability to live a life of celibacy.
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.
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.
E-Vocation Newsletter Sign Up
Stay up-to-date on all the latest news from VISION.
VOCATION RESOURCES: Myths busted and questions answered
Here are some additional VISION articles that help separate the fact and fiction about religious life.
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.
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.
FOR PARISHES & PREACHERS: Sample homilies that encourage vocation discernment
Here are some quick tips and sample homilies on vocation-related themes.
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 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 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.
FOR DREs | TEACHERS | CATECHISTS
Tips, insights, and lesson ideas for Catholic religious educators for encouraging prayer, discernment, and vocations.
National Vocation Awareness Week
The National Vocation Awareness Week always falls on the first FULL week of November.
PODCAST: Celebrate and wake up the world!
Celebrating the Year of Consecrated Life with some rocking tunes.
Year of Consecrated Life posters, song, banner for use in your parish, school, institute
Posters | bookmarks | banners | VISION Vocation Guides: Please feel free to use these Year of Consecrated Life resources from the VISION Vocation Network and the National Religious Vocation Conference. Click here for the Year of Consecrated Life logo.
Why consider a church vocation in times like these?
In the midst of great difficulties, the church more than ever needs a new generation of priests, sisters, and brothers.
Tips for Vocation Discerners
Tips on finding good vocation matches
Resources for older discerners or those with physical and developmental differences
While most religious communities have age restrictions or restrictions for candidates with certain disabilities, many consider candidates on a case by case basis. There are also other options for community, fellowship, or support for candidates faced with impediments who feel called to religious life.
Blog Index
Blogs by people and communities involved in Catholic religious life and vocations to religious life.
I'm not receiving email from VISION Vocation Network! What happened? How to whitelist VISION Vocation Network
Some subscribers find our mailings to them to be erroneously marked as spam, which prevents them from arriving at their intended destination.
HOMILY: Just ask: Ways to nurture vocations
SEVERAL YEARS AGO I read an article in a Catholic newspaper in which the author told a story about a college student whom he felt might have a vocation to the priesthood. He talked to the young man and asked whether he had ever considered becoming a priest. When the young man said no, the author asked why. The young man's simple reply: "Nobody ever asked me." After that, the young man began to explore the idea and later entered a community of religious men.
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: Erin Go Bragh
WARNING: EXCESSIVE GREEN!! Happy St. Patrick's Day!! This playlist willl have you Irish Dancing all over the town!
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.