How to Build a Vocation Culture

The Third Continental Congress on Vocations in North America (2002), invited to a paradigm shift on vocations ministry from a recruitment approach to a long term process of building a vocation culture in which every Christian is empowered to identify and respond to the mission to which he or she is called as a member of the Body Christ, in and for the world.

In the words of the Congress document, this means “to foster an atmosphere in which young Catholics are open to a personal invitation to discern accurately and embrace freely the form of permanent commitment in the Church to which they are being called.” (Third Continental Congress on Vocations in North America 2002, p. 62)

To create this atmosphere or vocation culture, the Congress suggested five actions which comprise its Plan:

• To Pray: to be holy, to be converted, to worship
• To Evangelize: to teach, to form, to catechize
• To Experience: worship, community, service, witness
• To Mentor: to accompany, to guide, to model
• To Invite: to discern, to choose, to commit

The resources here will help you implement these actions. These are some ways in which youth directors can collaborate in building a vocation culture (see p. 101):

• When planning programs for youth, find opportunities to vitalize and nurture their faith and spiritual renewal.
• Live with passion and conviction your vocation to proclaim the Gospel inviting young people to discern their own call.
• Invite religious and priests to be present in youth activities and program.

Compliments of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry