As a Catholic, you may have heard of Vocation Sunday, a day that is celebrated annually in the Church to raise awareness and encourage discernment of vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Vocation Sunday typically falls on the fourth Sunday of Easter, which is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday, when the Gospel reading focuses on Jesus as the Good Shepherd.
The Norbertines, a Catholic religious order founded by St. Norbert of Xanten in the 12th century, have a rich history of promoting and fostering vocations to the priesthood. This order, also known as the Premonstratensians, has a special charism of promoting peace and reconciliation, which is reflected in their motto “Prepared for Every Good Work.”
Daylesford Abbey in Paoli, Pennsylvania, is a Norbertine community. The men at Daylesford life a live dedicated to common prayer and continue the work of St. Norbert.
The Norbertines place a strong emphasis on prayer, community life, and the sacraments, which are essential components of the priesthood. They believe that a vocation to the priesthood is a calling from God, and they strive to help young men discern this call through prayer, spiritual direction, and guidance.
One of the ways in which the Norbertines promote vocations to the priesthood is by providing opportunities for young men to experience their way of life through retreats, discernment weekends, and other events. These experiences allow young men to get a glimpse of what it means to be a Norbertine priest, and to discern whether they feel called to this way of life.
Another way in which the Norbertines promote vocations to the priesthood is by providing a strong formation program for their seminarians. The Norbertine seminary program is based on a four-year cycle of academic, pastoral, and spiritual formation, which prepares seminarians for the priesthood both intellectually and spiritually.
As a Catholic, you can play a role in promoting and fostering vocations to the priesthood by praying for vocations, encouraging young men to consider a vocation to the priesthood, and supporting seminarians and religious orders financially. On Vocation Sunday, you can join with the Church in praying for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life, and for the grace to discern God’s call in our lives.
The Norbertines are a Catholic religious order with a rich history of promoting and fostering vocations to the priesthood. Their charism of promoting peace and reconciliation is reflected in their motto “Prepared for Every Good Work,” which emphasizes the importance of prayer, community life, and the sacraments in the priesthood. As a Catholic, you can join with the Church in celebrating Vocation Sunday and supporting vocations to the priesthood and religious life.