Across the country, dioceses, parishes, schools, and other organizations host events and activities to promote vocations to priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life, especially through prayer and education. All are encouraged to pray especially for those discerning one of these vocations.

Many parishes and Catholic schools participate in activities such as praying the Rosary for vocations, writing letters to seminarians, or special holy hours. During this week, sixth grade Catholic school students in the Diocese of Saint Petersburg participate in Focus 11. This event, facilitated by the Office of Vocations, is a day spent learning that God has a call for each of them, spending time in prayer, and hearing from individuals living out a variety of vocations.

Observance of Vocation Awareness Week began in 1976 as a way to express the importance of vocations and praying for those discerning. In 2014, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations moved this to November so that it could engage students of all ages during the school year.

Please remember to pray for our 28 seminarians in formation as well as for all within the Diocese of Saint Petersburg who are discerning their vocation.

Resources for Vocations Awareness Week including homily aids, discernment tips, prayers of the faithful, and bulletin-ready quotes are available. For resources, click here.

For more information about the Office of Vocations, click here.

The Office of Vocations is funded by contributions to the Catholic Ministry Appeal. For more information or to make a contribution, click here.