Fostering Religious Vocations at Home
Books: Read a Book about Religious Life
Reading books such as “It’s Fun to Be a Nun” or “Becket Wants to be a Priest” or “The Monks Make Amends” is a great way to introduce children to religious life.
Baking and Cooking: Bake or Cook a Catholic Recipe Related to a Saint or Order.
Baking or Cooking a Catholic recipe related to a saint or Holy Order (i.e. Heavenly Rose Garden Rose Cupcakes for Saint Thérèse or Oatmeal Carmelite Bars).
Visit the Community with Your Children
Catholic children are the future of the Catholic Church. If religious life is close to their hearts as children, it is more likely to be in their hearts as adults.
Religious Arts and Crafts:
Nun Paper Dolls, Paint a Chalice, Make a Nun’s Habit, Cloister Shoebox Diorama, Make a Monstrance.
Toys
Purchase or fashion toys that reflect religious vocations (i.e., Catholic nun dolls, Saint Becket costume, Mass play-kit). An old cloth can make a perfect cowl for play.
Vigils and Ordinations
Bring your family to the next ordination mass or prayer vigil for religious.
Pray for Those Who Minister
Remember in prayer by name those who minister to your family. Include in your family prayers petitions for those called to priesthood and consecrated life.
Play Dress Up and Imagine
Just as kids play “House,” encourage games of imagination such as “Nun/Sister” or “Priest/Brother.” Help children imagine the life of a priest, brother, or sister. A sheet or towel can serve as a sister’s habit. A Ritz cracker makes a good host for Mass.
Positively and Enthusiastically
Talk positively and enthusiastically about the priests, sisters, brothers, and deacons in your parish and share with your children the stories of priests, sisters, or brothers who have inspired you and how (e.g. priest at your wedding, or baptized your children, priests or religious from school etc.) play a vital role in serving God’s Church.
Films and Television
If your family watches television, have them watch films which incorporate religious life (i.e., Madeline, Brother Francis, Disney’s Robin Hood, Bells of Saint Mary’s, Lilies of the Field). When the media gets it wrong about what leads to happiness, set the record straight.
Discuss and Normalize
When you discuss your children’s future with them, speak on how religious life and Holy Orders are options.
Pray from the Heart
In your family prayers, pray for more priests and religious. Let your kids hear you praying for their futures. “Lord, watch over Richard today and give him the grace to grow up to be a strong man of God. Keep him close to You, always in Your perfect will.”
