Shoutout Father Donovan: Fostering Vocations in Our Families

Picture of St. Bernard Statue that looks oddly like Fr. Donovan

Ways to foster vocations

• Making learning about the faith and praying a part of your life. Fr. Donovan explained that we are all like fish swimming in the presence of God. We not only
• Frequent the Sacraments (Bribing with donuts, pizza or ice cream work great!)
• Ask your kids/nieces/nephews/friend’s kids if they have thought about being a priest/nun/brother, etc.
• Tell others when you think they would be good as a priest/nun/brother, etc.
• Have priests/nuns/brothers over for dinner when you can.
• Maybe don’t traumatize your kids by yelling at them to marry Jesus (or work for Jesus like this video).
• Point out similarities in the natural vocation of marriage and the supernatural call of priesthood such as selflessness, sacrifice, prayer, etc.
• Everyone is called to participate in spiritual fatherhood and spiritual motherhood. The HOW we live that out is our vocation.
• God’s will for our lives will make us the happiest and most joyful, even if that differs from your plan.
• We need to pray for our priests!
• Encourage your family to be involved in your parish! Familiarize yourself with serving the church, getting to know priests and seminarians along the way.
• WE NEED PRIESTS! Pray for Vocations!
• Pray, Pray, Pray. Develop your own relationship with Jesus and foster prayer in your kid’s lives as good as you can as early as you can.
• Adoration fosters discernment.
• What is adoration? Fr.’s response at 1:21:42
• Recommended Books from Fr. Donovan

1. Religious Vocation: An Unnecessary Mystery, Richard Butler, O.P.
2. Finding God’s Will for You by St. Frances de Sales