Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger | Diocese of Tucson website

Pray for Holy Vocations. How many times have you heard your priest say it at Mass? At Saint Ambrose Catholic Church in midtown Tucson, the pastor Fr. Mark Long does it every Mass. His request also comes during Prayers of the Faithful, and now there’s a prayer in every weekly bulletin. More recently, the words have been put into action. Fr. Long has asked parishioners to take the “Traveling Holy Family Image” home with them and pray for Holy Vocations. One family a week, it’s not too big of an ask.

Here's how it works: At Mass on the weekend, a parishioner picks up the binder with instructions; with it comes a large image of the Holy Family, and then they go home and pray every day of the week until Friday.

Marji Gonsowski leads the Vocations Ministry effort at Saint Ambrose. She said in the last year, the traveling Holy Family image has been a huge success as a family has signed up every week—the calendar is full! Gonsowski refers to volunteers as prayer warriors. In the binder she writes, “Vocations do not grow on trees. Vocations come from God. For that reason, prayers for vocations are necessary. When we pray for future priests, deacons, sisters, and brothers, God listens. More than that, God may plant a vocation seed in the families of our parish who are praying.”

Beyond her plea, the prayers are clear and direct. It’s a succinct way to pray for a monumental task. Prominently displaying the 11x14 image on an easel in your home makes it easy to remember to gather the family every night before bedtime. And it’s also a great reminder to keep stress at bay because the Holy Family is on display. For younger families, it’s a terrific way to calm children down at night while adding an extra prayer to their routine. Each night someone leads the prayers while others follow: “Lord, you are a good and loving Father. We have great confidence that You are listening to us. Today we need many priests, deacons, and consecrated men and women to serve Your Church... O God give us strength to pray constantly through Jesus Christ Our Lord Amen.”

On the last day, participants are asked to pray for the next family who receives it; before long, another week ends with dropping off the Holy Family image back at church office.

For Gonsowski, every prayer makes a difference. This past school year she spearheaded National Vocations Awareness Week at Saint Ambrose Catholic School where three priests and one sister visited campus engaging students about their vocations through games lunch sessions ending with rosary prayers seeking increase in Holy Vocations.

Another vocations awareness event began with sheep garden dedicated Fr Mark bearing message “Your flock loves ewe.” If attending Mass that weekend stopping by art display was unavoidable according Gonsowski midweek students gave Fr Mark banner expressing appreciation culminating week's celebration thanking him service Church

The mystery of Divine Providence governs how prayers for holy vocations manifest but discernment among men women diocese supporting through prayer remains promising development

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