Pray for More Vocations to Religious Life

PRAY FOR MORE VOCATIONS TO THE RELIGIOUS LIFE

by Kristen West McGuire

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​Vocations of all kinds have seen a drastic decrease in the Catholic Church. In addition to the number of seminarians decreasing over time, vocations to religious life AND sacramental marriages AND infant baptisms are in a freefall. This is particularly confusing because the number of registered Catholics in the U.S. is currently 67.3M– an increase of 38% since 1975.

Sacramental marriages lead to more baptisms…and more religious vocations.

Is it a coincidence that vocations among more traditional orders such as the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecelia in Nashville are booming? They welcome dozens of novices per year. And the Eucharistic Congress held in 2024 was a roaring success—so much so that the bishops are planning another for 2029.

​Vision Vocation Network is a free matching service for persons exploring a religious vocation, with links to religious orders who match the preferences of the seeker. It is operated by the National Religious Vocation Conference.

​The Vocation Tree depicts the unique ways of life which, in accord with the plan of the Lord Jesus, make up the life of the Church. Rooted and grounded in the baptismal call to holiness, the vocation tree shows different ways to live that life.

​U.S. Association of Consecrated Virgins serves consecrated virgins in the U.S. and provides information about the vocation of consecrated virginity lived in the world. www.consecratedvirgins.org

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Lord, We Pray:

• for more women to respond positively to a call to religious life or to consecrated virginity for the sake of the Kingdom;
• that women discerning religious life would find needed support and spiritual direction;
• for women struggling to persevere in religious life, that they would be blessed with holiness and constancy by the Holy Spirit;
• for women who are persecuted for serving Jesus as a religious sister or consecrated virgin, that they would be protected from all harms;
• for women who question the worth of their vows in an age that is openly hostile to the faith, that they would regain their conviction; and
• that all Catholics would find inspiration and joy in the vocations of religious sisters and virgins.

Amen

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Volume Three of My Secret is Mine newsletter includes essays and discussions on Mulieris Dignitatem, On the Dignity and Vocation of Women, an apostolic letter written by St. John Paul the Great in 1988.

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