The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Diocese of Winona-Rochester joined Pope Francis in discussing vocational pursuits within the Catholic Church.

National Vocation Awareness Week is an annual tradition where dioceses across the U.S. bring attention to the options of the priesthood, religious life and marriage. It takes place from Nov. 6-12 this year. 

The Diocese of Winona-Rochester’s Vocations office quotes Matthew 4:19, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 

Rev. Jason Kern, head of vocations, posted a prayer for vocations, part of which reads: “Loving Father, source of all that is good, we beg you to look upon us with mercy and love. … We beg you now to pour out Your Holy Spirit upon the Diocese of Winona-Rochester and help each member of this diocese to live out the call to holiness given to them in baptism. Please grant us many priests and consecrated persons to serve Your Church, strong and holy marriages that serve as a sign of Your self-giving love and single men and women who are intent on living out Your plan for their lives. Amen.” 

The USCCB issued a press release about the week.

“As Christians, we do not only receive a vocation individually; we are also called together. We are like the tiles of a mosaic,” Pope Francis said, according to the release. “Each is lovely by itself, but only when they are put together do they form a picture. Each of us shines like a star in the heart of God and in the firmament of the universe.” 

“At the same time, though, we are called to form constellations that can guide and light up the path of humanity, beginning with the places in which we live,” Pope Francis continued. “This is the mystery of the Church: A celebration of differences, a sign and instrument of all that humanity is called to be.”

Bishop James F. Checchio of Metuchen, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations, included a message about the week.

“Each year, the CCLV Committee commissions the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate to conduct surveys of those recently ordained and religiously professed in the past year,” Checchio said. “These studies consistently show that vocations are the fruit of communal accompaniment. The family, healthy and holy friendships, youth group, campus ministry and the broader parish and diocesan community form supportive environments in which vocations are first nurtured and grown.” 

Vocation Awareness Week started in 1976 when one Sunday was set aside for the matter. In 2014, the effort was extended by the USCCB Committee on Clergy to a week-long period. 

The USCCB website includes a prayer for vocations: “God our Father, we thank you for calling men and women to serve in your Son’s Kingdom as priests, deacons and consecrated persons. Send your Holy Spirit to help others to respond generously and courageously to your call. May our community of faith support vocations of sacrificial love in our youth and young adults. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.” 

The USCCB also suggests reading material for those discerning their vocation. Some of the included books for men are "Pastores Dabo Vobis (I Will Give You Shepherds)" by St. Pope John Paul II, "To Save a Thousand Souls: A Guide for Discerning a Vocation to Diocesan Priesthood" by Fr. Brett Brannen, "Priests for the Third Millennium" by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, "The Spirituality of the Diocesan Priest" by Fr. Donald Cozzens and "A Living Sacrifice: Guidance for Men Discerning Religious Life" by Fr. Benedict Croell, O.P and Fr. Andrew Hofer, O.P.

Recommendations for women include "On the Dignity and Vocation of Women" by St. Pope John Paul II, "Discerning Religious Life" by Sr. Clare Matthiass, CFR, "The Fire in These Ashes: A Spirituality of Contemporary Religious Life" by Sr. Joan Chittister, "An Introduction to the Vocation of Consecrated Virginity Lived in the World" by United States Association of Consecrated Virgins and "And You Are Christ’s: The Charism of Virginity and the Celibate Life" by Fr. Thomas Dubay.