Vocation News

By Father David Nations, CM

As vocation director, my ministry has me visiting parishes, schools, families and individuals from California to Chicago, and Wyoming to Texas. My hope is to nurture a culture of vocations among the thousands of people with whom I come in contact every week. After helping parishioners see the importance of actively promoting vocations to the priesthood and religious life, I have the joy of visiting those men who are interested in joining our community.

I recently passed through Marble Falls, Texas, to visit José R., a young man who is discerning God’s call. José had many questions about the priesthood, both practical and spiritual: How long is formation? Where would I go to school? How do I know if this is what God wants for me? What’s the next step? José’s questions are similar to the questions that all inquirers have in their discernment.

A new development in my work is to promote vocations not only for the Vincentian priests and brothers but also for the Daughters of Charity. As a priest offering the Mass, I have many opportunities to speak about vocations, and it simply doesn’t seem appropriate to speak to half of the community, asking the young women to wait as I speak to the men of the parish. Happily, I have been able to direct a few young women to the Daughters of Charity, who are excited to receive vocation prospects.

If you have questions about a Vincentian vocation, you can email me at vocations@vincentian.org or call 1-800-DEPAUL1.