Seminarians and clergy can be trained and asked by their bishop to spend one hour daily in adoration, with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament whenever possible. This would greatly bless their ministry and set an example that will attract souls to love, adore and worship God. Besides providing the Sacraments and opportunities for perpetual adoration, what could be more important for priests than prayer and adoration?
At the end of this page is a list of some aids for discerning a vocation to the priesthood.
Enjoy listening to seminarians teaching Gregorian Chant while reading this page:
Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen wrote in his autobiography “A Treasure in Clay”:
“On the day of my Ordination, I made two resolutions:
“1. I would offer the Holy Eucharist every Saturday in honor of the Blessed Mother to solicit her protection on my priesthood. The Epistle to the Hebrews bids the priest offer sacrifices not only for others, but also for himself, since his sins are greater because of the dignity of the office.
“2. I resolved also to spend a continuous Holy Hour every day in the presence of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.”
The Hour That Makes My Day | Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen – attached with the permission of Ignatius Insight
For more on Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen see: Bishop Sheen Today
- The Congregation for the Clergy, Claudio Cardinal Hummes, addressed a letter to every diocesan bishop in the world calling for Eucharistic Adoration for the sanctification of priests and spiritual maternity, after the example of Mary, Mother of the Eternal and High Priest, Jesus Christ.
- The Holy Eucharist and a Holy Priesthood
- The Eucharist and the Priesthood – articles on the Real Presence Association website
- Confraternity of Priest Adorers and lay associate adorers make daily holy hour
- Another confraternity making a daily holy hour – merciful priest
- Holy Hour for Priests
- Opus Angelorum Chalice of Strength Prayers for Priests:
- Foundation for priests – prayer and formation for priests and seminarians
- Archbishop Fulton J Sheen Mission Society of Canada
How did St. John Vianney resuscitate his parish?
To obtain the conversion of his parish, St. John Vianney spent up to 12 hours a day in adoration before the Tabernacle. After he obtained the conversion of the parish he spent up to 14 hours in the confessional and admired St Peter Julian Eymard who could dedicate his life totally to Eucharistic adoration.
His favourite one sentence sermon was to point at the Tabernacle and say “He is there!”
It is said that the Devil told him, “If there were three such priests as you, my kingdom would be ruined.” St. John Vianney’s parish in France has perpetual Eucharistic adoration.
Surely priests can spend just one hour a day in Eucharistic adoration. A Canadian bishop who was responsible for promoting adoration and commissioned our organization to join in this mission, invited all of his priests to make a daily holy hour, all at the same time wherever they are stationed.
- YouTube video – adoration leads to more vocations
- No shortage of vocations to the priesthood at this parish with adoration
- Pray the Divine Office
- Seminary of Christ the King – a high school, college and priestly formation seminary has been conducted by the Benedictines of Westminster Abbey since 1939
- An Invitation to Rediscover the Gift of the Eucharist
Fr. David Nugent of the Missionaries of the Most Holy Eucharist speaks about how he experienced the call to the priesthood and vocations to this clerical association:
More Spiritual Reading on Adoration:
- Eucharistic Adoration for the Sanctification of Priests and Spiritual Maternity (PDF)
- Saint Peter Julian Eymard – The Real Presence
- Saint Peter Julian Eymard – The Eucharist and Christian Perfection
- Confraternity of Priest Adorers – those who pledge to make a daily holy may want to also join this group
Most of what St. Pope John Paul II wrote, was written during adoration of Blessed Sacrament.
Adoration for Vocations:
Prayer and labour fill day for Benedictine Monks:
The Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate have religious sisters too.
Photo: courtesy of the Madonna House Apostolate
“The Madonna House Apostolate is a family of Christian lay men, women, and priests, striving to incarnate the teachings of Jesus Christ by forming a community of love. We are an ‘Association of the Faithful’ within the Roman Catholic Church, under the bishop of the Diocese of Pembroke.” Their main house and training centre in Combermere Ontario offers exposition 6/7 days of the week for members and visiting live-in guests. There is a sign-up sheet for 9am until 5pm or 8pm. They offer both the Roman rite Mass and the Byzantine rite Divine Liturgy.
St. John Vianney, Patron of Priests, pray for us and for all priests!
How partaking the Eucharist daily changed my life – by Fr. Robert Spitzer SJ, PhD
Eucharistic Adoration Encourages Vocations – Diocese of St. Catharine’s
“Considering that the Eucharist is the greatest gift our Lord gives to his Church, we must ask for priests since the priesthood is a gift for the Church. We must pray insistently for this gift. We must ask for it on our knees.” ~Pope Saint John Paul II
Consider having a holy hour for Vocations
1st Thursday Holy Hours to Pray for Vocations
On February 2, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at St. Michael’s Parish: “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest'” (Mt. 9:37-38). The vocations office is beginning a new prayer initiative in 2023. On the First Thursday of each month, there will be a Holy Hour to pray for priestly vocations. The Holy Hour will be in a different parish of the diocese each month. It will consist of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Sacred Music, a reflection by a priest, a Rosary for vocations, and time for silent prayer. The first Holy Hour will be at St. Michael’s Parish, with the reflection given by Fr. Scott. These Holy Hours are open to everyone, not just those considering a priestly vocation. The topic of the reflection this month will be “Candlemas – A Light to Reveal You to the Nations (Lk. 2:31)”.
You must be logged in to post a comment.