Support Vocations

Pray

There are multiple ways to support men interested in becoming diocesan priests. Please see below for ways to support through prayer. 

Host a Holy Hour for Vocations

We are often asked to pray for vocations and should do so in our daily intentions and at Mass, but sometimes, holding a special holy hour for vocations provides a more intensive focus for our intercession. It’s through this, that we join in adoration of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament and earnestly ask him to send more laborers into the harvest.

Planning a vocations holy hour takes coordination, creativity and leadership, but what better way to ask God for vocations than directly before Him in the Eucharist? At a time when our Church so badly needs more priests, it’s worth the effort to do our part.

 

“Vocations to the ministerial priesthood and to the consecrated life are first and foremost the fruit of constant contact with the living God and insistent prayer lifted up to the ‘Lord of the harvest’, whether in parish communities, in Christian families or in groups specifically devoted to prayer for vocations.”

— Pope Benedict XVI
 

“Considering that the Eucharist is the greatest gift Our Lord gives to his Church, we must ask for priests… We must ask insistently for this gift. We must ask for it on our knees.”

— Pope John Paul II

 


Before hosting a holy hour, please consider the following:

  • It is best to have the participation of your parish priest and work with him to choose an appropriate date. 

  • It’s helpful to have a small group, such as a local Serra Club, plan the holy hour to assist in spreading the word, ensuring better attendance. 

  • Work with a cluster of nearby parishes to plan one single area-wide holy hour. 

  • To promote the holy hour, plan it in conjunction with another event, or include other groups in the planning process. 

  • Try to make it a parish-wide event, promoted widely via your parish’s website, social media, pulpit announcements and displays outside of Mass. If holy hours are not common in your parish, make sure you explain what is involved and why they are so important.

  • There is a standard format for holy hours that can be adapted for different themes. Most follow a basic outline: an opening hymn while the Blessed Sacrament is placed in the monstrance, scripture readings, time for silent prayer, devotions, Benediction and a closing hymn. Remember that the format of your holy hour needs to be approved by the priest who leads it.

Below are useful resources for structuring your holy hour: 

  • Booklet about Praying for Vocations (Link)

  • Holy Hour to Know My Vocation (Link)

  • Eucharistic Procession for Vocations (Link)
     

Visit Chicago’s Invisible Monastery

The Vocation Office built Chicago's Invisible Monastery as a way of spiritually housing prayers that generous people offer at various times and locations. We can't all live in a monastery, but we can join our prayers with one another for the benefit of our Church.  

Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament is very powerful. We invite you to help us provide 24/7 prayer support within Chicago's Invisible Monastery by pledging holy hours for priests, seminarians and an increase in vocations. 

To do this, please follow these steps:

1. Find a Chapel that Has Adoration

If your parish isn't open for the time you would like to have Adoration, please see the Pope John Paul II Eucharistic Association site for locations and hours. 

2. Make Your Adoration Prayer Pledge

Consider making a regular prayer pledge within Chicago's Invisible Monastery. Prayer at any hour will be greatly appreciated. Sundays seem to be a time when men think about being called to the priesthood. Give them the prayer support they need to make the call to the Vocation Director.