The pastoral work for vocations therefore incorporates the results of the best sociological, psychological and other research available. A survey among young seminarians in the US a few years ago reported that one of the chief places they reported having sought information on the Catholic Faith in general, and vocations in particular, was on the pamphlet stand at the back of their parish church. Young people also want anonymity, at least in the early stages of their discernment of a vocation. Many young people are impressed by the personal testimonies of those who have asked the same questions.

In light of this, Catholic Vocations Melbourne has published a series of brochures on topics related to vocations. The first series provides testimonies about the various vocations to a state in life: marriage, priesthood, and religious life for men and women. The second series, just published, gives insights into some of the issues and questions people have about vocations. What does a seminarian do while at the seminary? How can parents encourage their sons to become priests?

Perhaps the reason young people look at the back of their church is that vocations tend to be triggered by a catalyst: God speaks in the silence of the heart at prayer, meditating on the sacred scriptures, during an inspiring film, while reading a saint’s life. God is opportunistic, we might say. Precisely after they have prayed and sincerely asked God for guidance, they are hungry for knowledge and are searching for answers. They might go home and do a Google search, but there is something immediate about picking up a brochure and reading a brief but inspiring personal vocation story. n

Go to www.melbournepriest.com to read more about the work of the Catholic Vocations Office, or, to order copies of our brochures for your parish, prayer group, school or youth group, phone 9926 5733.