CHARLOTTE — This Nov. 2-8 marks the annual celebration of National Vocations Awareness Week across the United States. The week is dedicated to promoting vocations of priests, deacons and consecrated men and women religious (nuns and brothers) through prayer and education. It’s also a time to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these vocations, which is particularly important for families of young adults.
“Vocations week is an excellent chance for us to focus on God’s will for our lives,” said Father Brian Becker, director of formation at St. Joseph College Seminary and vocations promoter for the Diocese of Charlotte.
Father Becker encourages family members and friends not to underestimate the positive influence they can have in the lives of young people discerning vocations.
“I speak to so many young men and women about their vocational journey, and usually somewhere in their story is a question from a parent, teacher, coach or catechist: ‘Have you thought of being a nun? Of being a priest?’” Father Becker said. “Most young people need a little encouragement. They need to know that others see in them what they’re suspecting that they see in themselves, a call to follow Christ more closely.”
Currently, the Diocese of Charlotte has 45 seminarians discerning a call to the priesthood.
National Vocations Awareness Week began in 1976 when the U.S. bishops designated the 28th Sunday of the liturgical year for special recognition of those discerning vocations. In 2014, it was moved to the first full week of November.
While this week celebrates religious vocations, Pope Leo XIV s recently emphasized the importance of sacramental marriage as a vocation. “Among the vocations to which men and women are called by God, marriage is one of the most noble and exalted,” he said, noting that it can increase joy in the good times, give strength during hard times and is a path to true holiness.
Vocation resources
If you or someone you know is contemplating a vocation, talk with your pastor, reach out to the diocese’s vocations promoter, read up on consecrated life and the various religious communities that exist, and contact communities that interest you. Many offer “come and see” days or retreats that are opportunities to learn more and meet others who have accepted God’s call to religious life.
For young men and women, there are summer discernment retreats offered by the Diocese of Charlotte and hosted at Belmont Abbey College: Quo Vadis Days for young men, and Duc in Altum for young women. Information about 2026 retreats is posted online at www.charlottediocese.org/vocations.
Diocesan Vocations Office
- Father John Eckert, vocations director: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Father Brian Becker, vocations promoter: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
General information
www.foryourvocation.org: Set up by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the site is dedicated to the promotion of vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life for both men and women. They are also on Facebook and YouTube. Find resources for parents and teachers, questions to ask yourself if you feel God is calling you, videos of vocation stories from priests and religious all over the U.S., and more.
Considering becoming a deacon?
If you are interested in serving as a permanent deacon in the Charlotte diocese, visit www.charlottediocese.org/vocations/diaconate to learn more about who deacons are, what they do, and how to become one. Ready to take the next step? Contact Deacon David Faunce, formation director, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
— Catholic News Herald
Prayer for vocations
God our Father, we thank You for calling men and women to serve in Your Son’s Kingdom as priests, deacons and consecrated persons.
Send Your Holy Spirit to help others to respond generously and courageously to Your call.
May our community of faith support vocations of sacrificial love in our youth and young adults. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
Amen.