Pope Francis and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) recently highlighted National Vocation Awareness Week, an annual tradition in which dioceses around the U.S. call attention to the options of the priesthood, religious life and marriage.

It took place from Nov. 6-12 this year.

“As Christians, we do not only receive a vocation individually; we are also called together,” Pope Francis said in a statement, quoted in a USCCB news release. “We are like the tiles of a mosaic. Each is lovely by itself, but only when they are put together do they form a picture. Each of us shines like a star in the heart of God and in the firmament of the universe.

“At the same time, though, we are called to form constellations that can guide and light up the path of humanity, beginning with the places in which we live. This is the mystery of the Church: a celebration of differences, a sign, and instrument of all that humanity is called to be.”

Bishop James F. Checchio of Metuchen; chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations; expounded on the week.

“Each year, the CCLV Committee commissions the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate to conduct surveys of those recently ordained and religiously professed in the past year,” he said in the release. “These studies consistently show that vocations are the fruit of communal accompaniment. The family, healthy and holy friendships, youth group, campus ministry, and the broader parish and diocesan community form supportive environments in which vocations are first nurtured and grown.” 

Vocation Awareness Week was first held in 1976 in an abbreviated form, when one Sunday focused on the opportunities. In 2014, the USCCB Committee on Clergy expanded the observation to a full week. 

The USCCB includes a prayer for vocations on its website: “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, one God, forever and ever. Amen.” 

The USCCB also suggests readings for those discerning their vocation. Some of the included books for men are “Pastores Dabo Vobis (I Will Give You Shepherds)” by Pope St. John Paul II; “To Save a Thousand Souls: A Guide for Discerning a Vocation to Diocesan Priesthood” by Fr. Brett Brannen; “Priests for the Third Millennium” by Cardinal Timothy Dolan; “The Spirituality of the Diocesan Priest” by Fr. Donald Cozzens; and “A Living Sacrifice: Guidance for Men Discerning Religious Life” by Fr. Benedict Croell, O.P, and Fr. Andrew Hofer, O.P. Recommendations for women include “On the Dignity and Vocation of Women” by Pope St. John Paul II; “Discerning Religious Life” by Sr. Clare Matthiass, CFR; “The Fire in These Ashes: A Spirituality of Contemporary Religious Life” by Sr. Joan Chittister; “An Introduction to the Vocation of Consecrated Virginity Lived in the World” by the United States Association of Consecrated Virgins; and “And You Are Christ’s: The Charism of Virginity and the Celibate Life” by Fr. Thomas Dubay.