Archbishop Hicks: Answer God's Call With Courage and Joy
U.S. Catholics will mark November 1 to 7 with events and bilingual resources, drawing on Pope Leo XIV's invitation to joyful generosity.
The Catholic Church in the United States will observe National Vocation Awareness Week from November 1 to 7. Dioceses, schools, parishes, and national organizations will host events and distribute resources aimed at promoting vocations to ordained ministry and consecrated life.
Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks issued a statement ahead of the week. "As we draw near the busiest time of the year, a season marked by thanksgiving and joy, National Vocation Awareness Week reminds us of the beautiful witness of those who have responded to God's call to serve in ordained ministry as priests and deacons and men and women who serve in consecrated life," he said.
The archbishop called on the faithful to give thanks for every vocation and to pray that joy may deepen in each of them. "This National Vocation Awareness Week, we thank God for all vocations and pray for a deepened spirit of joy in marriages, in the priesthood and diaconate, and in all forms of consecrated life," he continued. "Your witness to a joy-filled vocation inspires young people to follow God's call with courage."
An Immeasurable Gift for the Church
Archbishop Hicks also turned to the teaching of Pope Leo XIV, citing the Holy Father's message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. "God dwells in our hearts. A vocation entails an intimate dialogue with the One who calls and invites us to respond, despite the deafening noise of the world, with true joy and generosity," the Pope wrote.
Through friendship with Christ, Pope Leo XIV explained, men and women discover how to give of themselves — in marriage, in the priesthood, in the permanent diaconate, or in consecrated life. He described every vocation as "an immeasurable gift for the Church."
The week invites Catholics to pray for those discerning a call and to support priests, deacons, and consecrated men and women already living their vocation. Bilingual resources in English and Spanish are available on the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to help parishes, schools, and families take part in the observance.