Statement on Vocations

"I want to ask you, dear sisters and brothers, to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life in a very particular way.

"I am not asking you to pray for vocations in general, for example,

“Dear God, please choose someone, like the person next door.'

"Rather, I am inviting you to pray this way:

'Dear God, if you will, please choose someone from my family – my family – to be a priest, sister or brother. And if you do, I will support that person with my prayers and encouragement.'

"Admittedly, this is a more difficult prayer because it reaches the heart of each family. But it is also a more generous prayer and God responds to generosity!"

Most Reverend Paul S. Loverde, Bishop of Arlington
from the Vocations website of the Diocese of Arlington