Holy hours for vocations in deaneries offer opportunity to pray for those discerning God’s call

By Sean Gallagher

Beginning later this month, the archdiocesan Vocations Office will sponsor holy hours for vocations in all 11 deaneries of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

The first will take place at 7 p.m. on Jan. 30 at St. Paul Catholic Center, 1413 E. 17th St., in Bloomington.

Not all holy hours in each of the deaneries have been scheduled.

(See full listing here)

These one‑hour periods of eucharistic adoration will include time for silent prayer, various prayers for vocations and a reflection on vocations. They are taking place for several purposes, said Andy Miller, associate director of vocations in the archdiocese.

They are a way to have Catholics across central and southern Indiana come together to pray for people discerning the vocation to which God is calling them.

This, in turn, said Miller, will hopefully encourage them to speak with such people and encourage them in their discernment.

“So often, vocations work for us has been a matter of encouraging others, to give them a voice to talk to young people,” Miller said. “So many of our older individuals in our parishes, even our young adults who are married, … are afraid to bring it up with people who are discerning.

“These events hopefully make it more realistic and possible, encouraging people to stand up for their faith and talk to others about it as well.”

In addition, the holy hours will be a way for archdiocesan Catholics to support with their prayers the upcoming meeting of the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican in October when it will discuss the topic, “Young people, the faith and vocational discernment.”

“It’s our way to participate,” said Miller. “We can’t go to Rome and be a direct voice on the synod floor. But we can offer our support, encouragement and prayers.”

Father Eric Augenstein, archdiocesan director of vocations, said that prayer “is the foundation of all discipleship and vocations” and that, in the holy hours, “there is no better way to start that foundation of prayer locally.”

“It is a way to connect our individual spiritual life to our local parish, to the archdiocese, to the universal Church, especially in this area of vocational discernment,” he said. “And that connection is made through prayer.”
 

(For more information about the holy hours for vocations sponsored by the archdiocesan vocations office, visit HearGodsCall.com, send an e-mail to amiller@archindy.org or call 800-382-9836, ext. 1490 or 317-236-1490.) †