A Future Full of Hope

A National Strategy for Vocations to the Priesthood
and Religious Life in the Dioceses and Archdioceses
of the United States




January 1, 1996 - December 31, 1998
Abridged Edition
Bishops’ Committee on Vocations
1996


Description of the logo

Any Christian’s hope for the future must be rooted deeply in the fundamental realities of Christian life. The proclamation of the saving action of Christ’s passion, death and resureection is the purpose and the goal of the bishops’ desire to encourage men and women to live lives of generous service as priests, religious and members of secular institutes.

The logo proposed as a symbol for the national vocation strategy contains three elements that express well where our hope for the future lies. The promise of life is indicated by two horizontal waves representing the waters of baptism and the paschal reality of Christ’s passion, as blood and water flowed from his side on the Cross. It is this life-giving stream that is the cause of our hope for new growth, symbolized by the olive branch, which both recalls God’s promise to Noah and his descendants and beckons us to trust in that assurance for the future.


Preface

During their 1995 November assembly, the Bishops of the United States unanimously approved A Future Full of Hope: A National Strategy for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life in the Dioceses and Archdioceses of the United States.

Since its publication, many requests for this Strategy have been received and many more are anticipated. In an effort to make this Strategy more available to yet a wider audience, on October 2, 1996, the Bishops’ Committee on Vocations authorized an abridged edition.

It is the Committee’s hope that this more concise document will prove beneficial to all those who collaborate in the pastoral work of vocations in the months and years ahead.

Most Reverend Paul S. Loverde
Chairman
Bishops’ Committee on Vocations


Prayer

 God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ,
we find encouragement and renewed strength in Your promise:
“I have plans to give you a future full of hope . . .
you will find me with you and I will change your lot.”
(Cf. Jeremiah 29, 11- 14)

As we collaborate in the pastoral work of vocations,
deepen our union with You
and with one another through Jesus Your Son.
Bless our efforts in identifying,
nurturing and supporting vocations
to the ministerial priesthood and the consecrated life.

Inspired by the example of Mary, Mother of Jesus and our Mother,
and assisted by her intercession,
help us give of ourselves generously,
so that Your will for the future of the Church
may be fulfilled for the glory of Your name
and the salvation of all people.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord.


Introduction

A Future Full of Hope (Jer. 29:11) -- these inspired words from the prophet Jeremiah are chosen as the title of this National Strategy for Vocations in the United States. The words of the prophet from the Old Testament were shared with the people of Israel at a very bleak time in their history in the midst of the Babylonian Captivity. Jeremiah reminded the Israelites to call upon the Lord and seek after God with all their heart. In answer to their prayers and faithful listening, God responded, “You will find me with you . . . and I will change your lot.” (Jer. 29:14)

The Bishops’ Committee on Vocations and the vocation directors of the dioceses and religious communities in the United States represented by the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors (NCDVD) and the National Religious Vocation Conference (NRVC) respond with the same sense of hope and act on the Holy Father’s invitation to the Church to collaborate with prayer and action for the desire to increase vocations to the ordained ministries and to the various forms of special consecration.1

This National Strategy takes into account the ecclesial situation in the United States and the sociological and cultural aspects of life in this country which have an impact on vocations. The plan is first of all addressed to the Bishops of the United States in their pastoral ministry of vocations and, secondly, to vocation directors and national organizations that have shown a concern for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life in its various forms.

The Bishops’ Committee on Vocations believes that there is a more favorable climate for vocation discernment in the United States at this time in the wake of World Youth Day, the Holy Father’s recent visit, and the success that several local bishops and religious communities have had in recruiting young men and women to the priesthood and consecrated life. Several national lay organizations have also expressed a strong desire to assist the bishops in this important work on vocation discernment, prayer and recruitment. This Strategy seeks to capitalize on this encouraging climate which exists in many areas of our nation.

In building a positive climate for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, the family plays an important role. Christian parents are called to prepare, develop and protect the vocations that God stirs up in their family. They must enrich family faith life with worship and prayer as well as strong moral values and a deep religious spirit. The family home is “a little church” with Christ at the center. Through witness and apostolic service, parents instruct their children after the mind of Christ who said, “I did not come to be served but to serve.” Any National Strategy must look upon parents as important partners.

Although this Strategy does not focus on permanent deacons because vocation promotion and discernment to the permanent diaconate involves a different set of circumstances, nevertheless, most permanent deacons have families and can be important collaborators in vocation promotion to the priesthood and religious life2 , particularly at the level of families and local parishes..

We especially appreciate the support and the work of the Vocation Directors from the dioceses and religious communities in the United States. Many of the suggestions and recommendations presented in this Strategy are already in place in some areas and have been developed out of the experience present at the local level. The leadership of the NCDVD and the NRVC have been very helpful in sharing their collective experience and in assisting in the preparation of this Strategy.

In developing a National Strategy, we affirm that the best vocation program is the priest himself -- a priest who is committed, faithful, joyful, and prayerful in the exercise of his priestly ministry. At the same time, we are aware of certain negative attitudes present in the Church in the United States that provide obstacles to successfully promoting vocations to the priesthood and religious life. These attitudes are the result of materialism, the fact many Americans are unwilling to make life-time commitments, the lack of support from parents, smaller families, attitudes toward celibacy, and the discouragement of those who have left the priesthood and religious life. We also realize that the secularization of our nation and the affluence of Catholics are other factors to consider. However, in the face of these negative influences and with great confidence in our people, we respond with a “a total act of faith in the Holy Spirit” and pray to the Lord of the harvest that he send laborers into his harvest (Mt. 9:38) as we courageously offer a vocational challenge to the men and women of our day.

The National Strategy, therefore, should not and must not be perceived as a reactionary measure made in desperation. Rather, it is a proactive, visionary program to reaffirm the priesthood and consecrated life as vibrant and life-giving callings; to educate the entire Church in the most modern, effective means of vocation ministry; to call forth, for the first time ever, a united, collaborative vocational effort on a nationwide scale; and to recognize the deep-seated calls to virtue, holiness and service that continue to exist in men and women today.

We note that the third year of this strategy falls in 1998, the second year of the preparatory phase for the Jubilee at the close of the second millennium. This particular year of preparation is dedicated to the Holy Spirit, and we pray that the Holy Spirit will call to the Church’s service in our country and around the world an abundance of vocations of the caliber and holiness of Elizabeth Ann Seton, John Neumann, Blessed Katherine Drexel and Blessed Andre Bessette. Veni, Creator Spiritus!


Rationale for this Strategy


Goals of this Strategy

The National Strategy for Vocations will focus on the following goals:

  1. To foster a national campaign of prayer asking God for an increase of vocations to the priesthood and religious life. (Mt. 9:38)

  2. To engage more men and women in the vocation discernment process through national and local programs of education, invitation, recruitment and testing.

  3. To foster the role of "inviter" as a privilege and responsibility that belongs to each member of the body of Christ in encouraging others to consider priesthood, religious life and secular institutes.

  4. To promote collaboration among bishops, diocesan priests, religious, and lay organizations on diocesan, regional and national levels in the area of vocational pastoral ministry.

  5. To encourage parish communities and their individual members to accept their responsibility for encouraging and calling forth vocations.

  6. To recommend quality educational programs and enrichment opportunities for vocation ministers.

  7. To engage in vocational pastoral ministry through promotion and education which will significantly broaden the base of those contacted and invited to consider priesthood and religious life, and expand those lay organizations, such as Serra, directly involved in vocation recruitment in the United States.

  8. To endorse and create vocation awareness and educational materials/tools/media which convey a contemporary, positive image of priesthood and religious life. [e.g., in cooperation with the National Coalition For Church Vocations]

  9. To direct vocation awareness and invitation to specific audiences -- a) families, b) parishes, c) campuses, d) communities of color, e) rural areas, f) apostolic groups and organizations.

  10. To engage priests to encourage and invite young people to consider priesthood and religious life.


There are a variety of age groups being considered in this National Strategy:

  1. In the development of a National Feeder System we are focusing on those in grades 1 - 12 particularly through catechesis.

  2. For diocesan programs such as "Called by Name", "Operation Andrew", and "Operation Miryam", we are focusing primarily on those in high school and college, but we realize in some cases God’s call comes to those beyond the traditional college years.

  3. For the diocesan and regional gatherings we are primarily focusing on those who have at least completed their junior year in high school through adulthood or 16 - 39 years of age.

Finally, the National Strategy cannot be viewed as a single document that is etched in stone. Future Vocation Committees of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops will, hopefully, view the National Strategy as on-going, strategic and in need of modification and updating.



Strategy

The success of this Strategy relies on the assistance of many individuals and groups. The following will outline the main elements of the Strategy as they may be developed by the Bishops’ Committee on Vocations in cooperation with others.

  1. National Vocation Conferences

    1. The National Religious Vocation Conference (NRVC) and the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors (NCDVD) are professional organizations that serve their members by providing education, resources, research and other supportive services to help assure the presence of competent vocation ministers in today’s church, in both dioceses and religious communities. NRVC and NCDVD are therefore committed to and involved in the planning and implementation of the National Strategy.

      NRVC and NCDVD will be invited to:

      1. continue to provide ongoing educational opportunities and other resources enabling vocation ministers to grow in confidence and competence in this ministry,

      2. collaborate with each other as organizations, as well as with other groups, having vocation ministry as a focus,

      3. create, provide and promote vocation awareness and educational materials through the National Coalition for Church Vocations (NCCV),

      4. encourage members of NRVC and NCDVD to participate in the gatherings and hearings on the regional and diocesan levels,

      5. involve members of NRVC and NCDVD in promoting the goals of the Strategy and encouraging dialogue about the vocation scene within a diocese and among members of religious communities,

      6. encourage members of both organizations to collaborate with each other on the local level in initiating or participating in programs like "Called By Name, "Operation Andrew" and "Operation Miryam", as well as parish vocation committees, etc.


  2. National Lay Organizations

    The involvement of the following national lay organizations is a result of their expressed interest in vocations or their willingness to help shape the National Strategy.


    1. A Catholic Foundation

      A Catholic Foundation will be invited to sponsor a symposium of national leaders in the Catholic Church to reflect with the Bishops’ Committee on Vocations on the purpose of vocations to the priesthood and religious life and offer comments and suggestions for developing vocational pastoral ministry.

      The goal would be to gather experts from a variety of disciplines to share their wisdom, knowledge and experience with the bishops. The Bishops’ Committee For Vocations will develop a list of those to be invited and several Bishops from the Committee will participate.


    2. Serra International -- (U.S.A. /Canada Council)

      Serra will be invited to:

      1. expand the number of Serra Clubs, especially in those dioceses that currently have no Serra presence, and become more ethnically diverse.

      2. mobilize Serra members to take an active part in the implementation of the plan at the local level both of arch/diocese and parish.

      3. sponsor through local clubs several young people for the diocesan or regional gathering for vocations,

      4. send information on the Ministry Potential Discerner and The Story of My Life Vocational Guide to every Bishop, religious community, Serra Club and vocation director in the United States. (c.f. Appendix IV and Appendix V)

      5. encourage through the efforts of local clubs, "Called By Name", “Operation Andrew", "Operation Miryam", parish vocation committees and other programs particular to their diocese or archdiocese, e.g., Life Awareness program in several dioceses in Texas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Minnesota and Nebraska,

      6. assist the Bishops’ Committee on Vocations through the Serra Foundation in finding donations to help underwrite a portion of the cost of the National Strategy,

      7. feature articles in the Serra Magazine during the period 1996-1998, highlighting the National Strategy.


    3. The Knights of Columbus

      The Knights of Columbus will be invited to:

      1. sponsor a national prayer campaign through member councils including prayers for vocations, council Masses for vocations and Holy Hours during the 1996-1998 National Strategy. The Knights will be asked to provide copies of materials for these Holy Hours, etc., for each diocese in the United States. The Bishops’ Committee on Vocations will work with Knights in preparing these materials,

      2. Mobilize to participate actively in the implementation of the vocation plan for the diocese.

      3. Feature regular articles in the Columbia magazine, highlighting the National Strategy.


    4. The National Council of Catholic Women

      The National Council of Catholic Women will be invited to:

      1. contact the local bishop of each diocese to offer assistance in organizing the consultation process so important to the National Strategy in his diocese. The Council of Catholic Women at the local level will establish several different hearings, inviting the widest possible participation,

      2. contact the local bishop and/or the diocesan vocation director, to determine if they want assistance establishing diocesan, regional or parish vocation committees, to assist with "Called by Name", "Operation Andrew", "Operation Miryam", The Ministry Potential Discerner or other vocational pastoral ministry activities,

      3. Collaborate with the Knights of Columbus and Serra groups in the local diocese to foster the Knights of Columbus prayer campaign, sponsoring youth attendance, especially among women interested in religious life to any diocesan or regional gatherings.


    5. The National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry

      The NFCYM will be invited to:

      1. have a presentation on vocations to the priesthood and religious life as part of their annual National Youth Conference, inviting leaders in vocation ministry to attend the conference and participate through talks, workshops and liturgies,

      2. prepare materials for diocesan youth offices and youth ministers, to invite these important church ministers to include priestly and religious vocation ideas and talks, in their ministry to youth. The Federation can work closely with the NCDVD and NRVC in carrying this out,

      3. encourage youth ministers to bring young people to diocesan and regional vocation gatherings.


    6. The Catholic Committees on Scouting and Camp Fire Girls

      These groups will be invited to:

      1. encourage the Ad Altare Dei and Pope Pius XII awards, including the section on the concept of a personal vocation for each baptized Catholic and specific vocations of marriage, priesthood and religious life,

      2. prepare vocational materials for Catholic committees to use in Scout activities, and to use the "Ministry Potential Discerner" with those Catholic Scouts and Camp Fire youths who hold leadership positions and/or are working on their religious awards,

      3. encourage the use and further development of youth leadership programs, such as the Saint George Trek for selected senior Catholic youth, and which emphasizes the personal call to holiness which is rooted in the baptismal commitment,

      4. Have a vocation segment and prayer as part of all Catholic committee activities,

      5. Sponsor Scout and Camp Fire involvement in diocesan and regional vocation gatherings.


    7. The National Evangelization Teams

      NET will be invited to:

      1. include a segment at each youth retreat on the concept of a personal vocation for each baptized Catholic and the specific vocations of marriage, priesthood and religious life,

      2. participate in the planning and help staff diocesan and regional gatherings on Vocations.


    8. The Catholic Campus Ministry Association (CCMA) and The National Association of Diocesan Directors of Campus Ministry (NADDCM)

      1. With the assistance of the NCDVD and NRVC, using computer technology, attempt to place materials on vocations to the priesthood and religious life in college and university career centers.

      2. Include responsibility for discernment, prayer and other activities focusing on priesthood and religious life in the job descriptions of all campus ministers working for the Catholic Church.

      3. Use programs available from Serra, the Knights of Columbus, the NRVC and NCDVD, have vocation retreats, First Friday Clubs for vocations, vocation Holy Hours, and Vocation literature available through all Campus Ministry Programs.

      4. Ask the Bishops’ Committee on The Laity to include a section on the personal vocation of all baptized Catholics and specific points on vocations to the priesthood and religious life in the National Plan for Young Adults.

      5. Encourage campus ministers and young adults to attend the diocesan and regional gatherings.

      6. To be open to and welcome Diocesan Vocation Directors to be present at campus ministry centers.


    9. The National Association for Lay Ministry will be invited to:

      1. continue to include vocation discernment as part of the lay formation program curriculum, or develop methodologies where they do not already exist,

      2. encourage workshops on the subject of “vocation” at the annual conference,

      3. pray for vocations to priesthood, religious life and lay ministry,

      4. support diocesan and parish efforts towards vocation awareness.


  3. National Media Effort

    1. Catholic Media

      Catholic Media will be invited to:

      1. promote successful models and programs for vocation discernment, prayer and recruitment providing video for "Called By Name", "Operation Andrew", "Operation Miryam", the "Ministry Potential Discerner", the "Priest Perceiver", etc.,

      2. prepare media resources to highlight and enhance the local diocese consultation on such topics as the diocese and parish vocations committee, the Church in terms of the Body of Christ, the People of God developing the biblical and theological foundation of vocations, the vocation of priesthood, the vocation of consecrated life, the religious life in its essence and in the variety of its form,

      3. highlight the findings of the national Symposium and regional hearings around the country for bishops and vocation office staffs.


    2. National Media

      1. Will be invited to promote the Strategy with programs, articles and other information.


    3. NCCB Office of Communications

      1. Provide assistance with press packets for the national Catholic media outlets highlighting the National Strategy for Vocations.

      2. Assist in the calling together of Catholic newspaper editors and Catholic magazine editors to inform them on the Strategy and assist them with information as the Strategy is implemented.

      3. Assist the Bishops’ Committee on Vocations in identifying what Catholic magazines will publish the results of the Strategy and keep the plan before the eyes of the public, as well as encourage people to participate both at the diocesan level in the consultation and in the regional and local gatherings.

      4. Assist the Bishops’ Committee on Vocations in the necessary work of counteracting negative images of Priests and Religious prevalent in the media, especially with regard to celibacy, and ordination questions involving women.


    4. Sister Katarina Schuth and the Hilton Foundation Grant (c.f. Appendix I)

      In response to Goal 8, and to other goals to a lesser degree, Sister Katarina Schuth will work on media education for diocesan directors and religious directors in cooperation with the Bishops’ Committee on Vocations, the NCDVD and the NRVC.


  4. Research Component

    The NCCB Office of Research will be asked to summarize the results of current research that might inform discussions of Vocational Pastoral Ministry at the diocesan level indicating what characteristics successful candidates to the priesthood and religious life possess and what invitations attract candidates at different levels and moments.

    Questions to be considered include:

    • Who has done the recent research, and what suggestions do they have? (Hemrick, Schuth, CARA, Meyer, Hoge, etc.)

    • What attracts candidates at different levels and moments? (e.g. excitement, excellence, independence, challenge, counter-cultural, idealism, mission, inner peace, etc.)

    • What is the profile of today’s candidates; what are the trends?

    • What are the obstacles to Vocational Pastoral Ministry in the U.S.A. today, and how can they be dealt with in Vocational Pastoral Ministry?

    • Historically does the research from the 1940’s and 1950’s have anything to add to this picture?

    • What role do parents and families play in vocational discernment?


  5. The Strategy in the Local Archdiocese/Diocese

    It is the duty of bishops to encourage their people to foster vocations and to see that all their energies and undertakings are closely coordinated. At the same time, bishops must assist those who in their judgment have been called to the priesthood and religious life.

    The vocations apostolate in the diocese must present the Catholic priesthood in the radicalness of its demands. The young man who hears the Lord’s call must be able to respond to it freely and courageously in total fidelity to the Church’s Magisterium and to the Successor of Peter.

    The diocesan bishop must be involved in the selection of the candidates (recruitment and discernment) and come to know his seminarians well during the formation process. Special attention has to be paid to what motivates candidates to pursue the priesthood and to the crisis in family life today and the environment in which young people develop as this sometimes leaves scars on their personality. Coming out of a culture of permissiveness and hedonism young people today sometimes have values that go against a spirit of sacrifice and the total dedication which priesthood demands.

    The bishop must make sure that the discernment process is ongoing with care given to psychological, human and spiritual formation. The Church is bound not only in charity but also in justice not to accept those who show obvious signs of personality disturbance which, if assessed superficially, could have serious consequences and jeopardize both the future of the sacred ministry and the People of God.

    The characteristics of good, happy and effective priests should also be present in those who are preparing for the priesthood.

    1. Experience God’s love for their life.

    2. See Jesus as a model for their behavior.

    3. Have deep spiritual lives (including a love for the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Penance).

    4. Have a strong sense of the Mystery of God that underlies the life of the Church and their own personal lives and ministries.

    5. Enjoy challenges.

    6. Thrive on change.

    7. Manage their time.

    8. Maintain their humor.

    9. Keep a sense of balance under the pressures of ministry.

    Source: NCEA Study: “Grace Under Pressure: What Gives Life to American Priests”

    Early in the process of implementation of this strategy, resource materials will be sent to each diocese and to each religious community that request them. These materials will include:

    • The Holy Father’s Statement, Pastores Dabo Vobis,
    • Developments in Vocational Pastoral Ministry from the Congregation for Education,
    • Called By Name,
    • Operation Andrew and Operation Miryam,
    • NRVC Materials,
    • Vocation Holy Hours,
    • MPD Materials,
    • Ministry Perceiver Materials,
    • Copy of the National Strategy,
    • Materials from the National Lay Organizations and
    • A resource booklet of the best vocation videos in the country


    1. The Bishop and the Arch/Diocesan Vocation Office

      1. At the local level the role of the vocation office is key to the success of the National Strategy. The bishop and the vocation director should plan how they will structure the Strategy in the arch/diocese, who will contact the priests and national organizations present within the diocese and who will carry out the parish consultation. (c.f. Appendix VI)

      2. The bishop will receive materials from the NCCB, and the vocation director will receive additional materials and suggestions from the NCDVD and NRVC.

      3. Before the process begins in the arch/diocese there should be a meeting of all archdiocesan and religious vocation directors present in the local arch/diocese with the bishop so that there is good communication and planning at the local level. The Bishops’ Committee On Vocations and the NCDVD, as well as the NRVC will help with ideas and suggestions.

      4. The bishop will ask the vocation office to explore ways of offering more support in families, parishes, schools and the diocese to those who express an early attraction to priesthood and religious life on the elementary and secondary school levels.


    2. The Diocesan Bishop and the Local Church (c.f. APPENDIX VII)

      1. The diocesan bishop meets with his staff -- Vicar General, Moderator of the Curia, Vocation Director, President of Religious Council, Religious Vicar, Catholic Schools Director, Youth Ministry Director, Campus Ministry, Leader of Presbyterial Council, Pastoral Council and Director of Diocesan Office of Religious Education to discuss the National Strategy for Vocational Pastoral Ministry and its use in the local diocese in light of Pastores Dabo Vobis.

        The bishop meets with the Presbyterial Council asking how the priests of the diocese might best be involved in this Strategy and take ownership for the process in the local Church. Further, they will have ideas on how to encourage priests and religious now serving in the diocese or archdiocese. Pastores Dabo Vobis will be an important background paper for this meeting.

        The bishop should use diocesan gatherings of young people and occasions where a large number of youth are present to invite them personally to consider the call to priesthood or consecrated life. A specific moment of grace may be the conferring of the sacrament of Confirmation.

      2. The bishop meets jointly with leadership of Knights of Columbus, Serra, Council of Catholic Women, Scouting, parents, etc., to discuss the consultation and Vocational Pastoral Ministry within the diocese. Different lay groups are given the responsibility based on the various parts of the National Strategy.


    3. The Diocesan Bishop and the Parish

      1. The bishop must encourage the pastor of every parish to implement the vocation plan.

      2. The Consultation Document On Vocational Pastoral Ministry is sent to every parish in the arch/diocese along with a suggested process developed by the vocation office so that the document is an effective tool for the parish to use. (c.f. Appendix II)

      3. Each parish receives materials on how to set up a parish vocation committee. (c.f. APPENDIX III)

      4. The results of the consultation in the parish are sent back to the vocation office for tabulation and then an action plan for Vocational Pastoral Ministry, at the parish level, is prepared for implementation.

      5. The bishop uses the study document in the diocesan consultation to assess the strength of Vocational Pastoral Ministry in terms of discernment, prayer and recruitment at the local level; the Bishop oversees action plans in his local diocese and sends the results of the consultation to the Bishops’ Committee on Vocations.

      6. Following the consultation, the bishop and vocation director working with local pastors, implement either the "Called By Name Program" or "Operation Andrew" in the local diocese; they use something like the "MPD" or Gallup’s Story of My Life Vocational Guide in junior and senior high schools, religious education programs and all Confirmation classes in 1996-1998, organizing a "local feeder system" for vocation offices and parish vocation committees.

      7. The bishop organizes dinners at his house, asking priests (two or three at a time) to come for dinner, each bringing two young men with them. During the dinner, the bishop talks about priesthood, invites each priest to witness about his own priesthood and following dinner, there is a time of prayer in the bishop’s chapel reflecting and praying on specific vocations for the young men present.

      8. The bishop, in cooperation with the local religious vocation directors, should organize a similar program for young women, "Operation Miryam", especially if there are no religious sisters, brothers or religious houses available in the diocese, and either religious or parish priests can be involved as well. In larger archdioceses or dioceses, the bishop might encourage Religious communities to do this work.

        A dialogue between the local bishop and/or his vocation director and religious vocation directors would be an excellent goal in each diocese.

      9. The bishop and vocation director will encourage and organize, with the help of parish priests, youth ministers, Serrans, etc., a group to attend a diocesan or regional gathering on vocations. The theology and thrust of Pastores Dabo Vobis will be helpful in planning these gatherings.

      10. The vocation director reports on the results of the MPD, etc., and sets up a plan to work with those showing a strong interest in priesthood and religious life; the vocation director has training for parish vocation committees with assistance from the local Knights of Columbus, Serrans and Council of Catholic Women groups, etc.

      11. The local Knights of Columbus, Serrans, Council of Catholic Women and parent groups assist youth ministers and parish priests in putting together local groups to attend diocesan or regional vocation gatherings.

      12. In each diocese a series of holy hours, votive Masses, Eucharistic days and other prayer opportunities are organized by the Vocation Office interceding for vocations to the priesthood and religious life from January of 1996 through December of 1998.

      13. Working from the basic vision of Pastores Dabo Vobis, it will be necessary to develop young men and women as authentic disciples of Jesus Christ on a deeper spiritual level. This will bring great emphasis on the Holy Eucharist, Eucharistic Devotion, prayer and the example of the Blessed Mother. The spiritual dimension must be carefully attended to for this Strategy to bear fruit. Willing and good candidates may lack the basic formation to properly discern and respond to an authentic call. Regular spiritual guidance and direction should be considered a basic necessity.

      14. In each diocese, programs like Cursillo, Search, TEC, etc. should be encouraged to address vocation issues and pray for vocations.


    4. The Bishop and Family Life Office

      The Diocesan Family Life Office will be asked to develop a program for parents by 1997 indicating ways they can work to develop a vocational attitude in their family home. As a resource, the NCCB Committee on Marriage and Family Life will be asked to assist the Committee on Vocations in developing materials to strengthen a vocational attitude in the family.

      It is in the home, which the Second Vatican Council, following the Fathers of the Church, refers to as the “domestic church," that children receive their real formation. What parents do is far more important than what they say. If a child never sees his parents pray outside of Mass, or read a spiritual book or talk about what it means to be baptized or to have a vocation to the priesthood or religious life, the best strategy in the world will be for naught. As the Bishops of the United States said in Follow the Way of Love, “You raise up vocations to the priesthood and religious life as you encourage your children to listen for God’s call and respond to God’s grace. This is especially fostered through family prayer, involvement in parish life and by the way you speak of priests, sisters, brothers and permanent deacons."

      Cursillo, RENEW, Charismatic Renewal and Marriage Encounter are important groups to get involved.


    5. The Bishop and the Religious Education Office (c.f. APPENDIX VII)

      The development of a strong feeder system is enhanced when the significance of vocations is supported through religious education. The new Catechism of the Catholic Church provides a wonderful opportunity for religious education programs to share a new -- Vatican II -- mentality on vocation drawing on the teaching in the Catechism and the documents from Vatican II and from the Synod On the Laity. The Holy Father’s teaching in Pastores Dabo Vobis is also a rich source of teaching.

      Work on age-appropriate religious education materials should begin as soon as possible. Further, the NCDVD and the Bishops’ Committee on Vocations should continue to dialogue with publishers about material in their textbooks on the priesthood and religious life. A study of priesthood and religious life has to become a required part of all religious education programs.

      Pastors and DRE’s should invite priests, brothers and sisters to share their vocation stories with classes; take “field trips” to local seminaries and religious houses and ordination ceremonies and/or watch local ordination or vow ceremonies on video. There should also be frequent study of the lives of the saints from the perspective of a religious or priestly vocation.


  6. Selecting a Diocesan Vocation Director

    1. The diocesan vocation director should be prayerful man with a minimum of five years of priestly ministry willing to make a commitment of at least six years to the vocation apostolate and if at all possible he should be full time.

    2. His understanding of the Church must be balanced and he must be able to articulate and affirm a clear understanding and commitment to a celibate male priesthood. He must love the Church and accept her teachings faithfully.

    3. He must be willing to talk about his own priestly ministry addressing the charism of celibacy in his own life and relate his ministry to an active prayer life. He should have a regular spiritual director and a love for the sacrament of penance.

    4. He should offer daily mass, be willing to concelebrate, be faithful to the daily recitation of the liturgy of the hours, be open to a variety of prayer forms such as the rosary - charismatic prayer - Eucharistic holy hours, etc.

    5. He should have an outgoing personality and be comfortable speaking in public and appearing before groups. He should be an above-average preacher.

    6. He should be able to relate to children, young people, adults and especially parents.

    7. He should have a deep respect and knowledge of religious life, open to collaboration with religious vocation directors and view this an important part of his work.

    8. He needs a basic respect and appreciation for lay ministry and be able to work effectively with parish vocation committees, DRE’s, youth ministers, Religious Education teachers, campus ministry directors, Catholic School teachers and administrators.

    9. He should have good priest friends and be active in the life of the presbyterate. He should be someone the bishop can work with as well as the seminary staff.

    10. He should manifest a healthy life style and be moderate in his eating and use of alcohol as well as his time away.

    11. He should make a regular retreat and participate in days of reflection and renewal. It should be expected that he would participate in regional and national vocation meetings.


  7. Regional Hearings on Vocations

    Beginning in 1997, the Bishops’ Committee on Vocations will hold regional hearings around the country in the various ecclesiastical regions, to receive the reports on the level of Vocational Pastoral Ministry and the work of dioceses, lay groups, vocation directors, etc. This information will be shared with the bishops at the November 1998 NCCB Meeting.

    The bishop and vocation director, as well as some Knights of Columbus, Serrans, Council of Catholic Women, priests, religious, parent groups and others should be encouraged to attend the Regional Hearing conducted by the Bishops’ Committee on Vocations.

    Local strategies and regional gatherings, etc. will be planned at that time.

    The regional gatherings will conclude with a special meeting of vocation directors helping them to plan and implement the various strategies, etc.


    Other Topics in the Full Text of the Strategy

    This table provides a listing of the other sections of the complete edition of “A Future Full of Hope.”

    • AD HOC STEERING COMMITTEE

    • THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATION FOR THE NATIONAL STRATEGY

      Excerpt from the Pastores Dabo Vobis
      Excerpt from the Program of Priestly Formation
      Excerpt from the Final Message of the 1994 World Synod of Bishops on Consecrated Life

    • Appendix I: Report on Projects Related To Vocation Ministry

    • Appendix II: The Consultation Document

    • Appendix III: The Parish Vocations Committee

    • Appendix IV: Story of My Life Vocation Guide

    • Appendix V: Ministry Potential Discerner

    • Appendix VI: General Audience of September 29, 1993: “Priests: Not Choosing God but Chosen by God"

    • Appendix VII: XXXIII World Day of Prayer For Vocations, 1996


    Endnotes

    1 Developments in Vocational Pastoral Ministry In the Particular Churches, the Congregation for Catholic Education. January 6, 1992.

    2 In the present text, when the term "religious life" is used, it is not intended to refer to a single juridic category to the exclusion of any other. Rather, it is used in the same sense as in Chapter 6 of Lumen gentium. Thus, it is to be broadly understood to include all those in the Church who bind themselves by vow or other sacred bond to a stable form of life approved by the Church, whether embracing the evangelical counsels or a particular apostolic purpose. It is intended to include not only members of institutes of consecrated life (religious or secular) and other forms of consecrated life, but also members of societies of apostolic life.


    For a Copy of the Complete Text:

    A Future Full of Hope
    Bishops’ Committee on Vocations
    3211 Fourth Street, NE
    Washington, DC 20017-1194
    202-541-3033/202-541-3222 facsimilie

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    Secretariat for Vocations and Priestly Formation
    United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
    3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20017-1194 (202) 541-3000