Vocations to the priesthood and religious life come from the People of God. They are our family members. It is important that families create an atmosphere conducive to foster vocations. Teaching children that they should consider priesthood and religious life is vital to increasing vocations. The Lord calls many but some do not respond or do not know how to. Here are a few ways the faithful may help:

1. Pray for Vocations. Prayer is fundamental for increasing vocations. Pray that young people be generous in responding to the call of God to serve the Church. Pray that they have encouraging and supportive families.
2. Teach your children. Teach your children to love and respect the priest. Teach them that it is worthwhile to consider the priesthood or religious life. Encourage them to pray for priests. Encourage your children to be active in their parish either through a youth group, as an altar server, or various other activities provided in your local parish. Always bring them to Sunday Mass and teach them to be faithful in prayer.
3. Simply Encourage. Encourage a young person to consider a vocation to the priesthood and religious life. Perhaps you could encourage your grandchild, your child, a brother or a sister, a nephew or a niece, or a child of a friend, to dedicate their lives as priests or sisters. Encourage your parish altar servers, your parish youth group members. It takes someone to plant a seed for one to discover that perhaps God is calling them to the priesthood or religious life. Perhaps you could be that inspiration.
4. Pray for and support those in formation. Obtain addresses and pictures of the men studying for the priesthood in our diocese (https://godiscalling.me/meet-our-seminarians). Encourage them and offer them your prayers. Perhaps you could spiritually adopt a deacon or a seminarian and pray for him in your prayers, remember him on his birthday, remember to pray for him during his exams, and one day God willing attend his ordination. Say a prayer for them.
5. Never forget to pray for your priests and religious. They have dedicated their lives in service of the Church and they need your prayers. Support them and encourage them, for they are human and need to hear you appreciate their work, and that you pray for them unceasingly.
6. Make a contribution. You can make a contribution to help the Diocese form priests. Their education and formation can be costly. You can also help contribute to the work of promoting vocations in programs throughout the Diocese and the work of the Office of Vocations (https://austindiocese.org/vocations).

Prayer #1
Almighty and eternal God,
in your unfailing love you provide
ministers for your Church.
We pray for those whom you call to
serve the Church of the Visitation
as priests. 
Inspire in them a generous response.
Grant them courage and vision to
serve your people.
May their lives and service call your
people to respond to the presence
of your Spirit among us that,
faithful to the Gospel and hope of
Jesus the Christ, we may:
announce glad tidings to the poor,
proclaim liberty to captives,
set prisoners free,
and renew the face of the earth.  Amen

Prayer #2
O God, Father of all Mercies,
Provider of a bountiful Harvest,
send Your Graces upon those
You have called to gather the fruits of Your labor;
preserve and strengthen them in their lifelong service of you.
Open the hearts of Your children
that they may discern Your Holy Will;
inspire in them a love and desire to surrender themselves
to serving others in the name of Your son, Jesus Christ.
Teach all Your faithful to follow their respective paths in life
guided by Your Divine Word and Truth.
Through the intercession of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary,
all the Angels, and Saints, humbly hear our prayers
and grant Your Church's needs, through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer #3
O God, Who wish all men to be saved and to come
to the knowledge of Your truth:
send, we beg You, laborers into Your harvest,
and grant them grace to speak Your word with all boldness;
so that Your word may spread and be glorified,
and all nations may know You, the only God,
and Him Whom You have sent,
Jesus Christ Your Son, Our Lord,
Who lives and reigns world without end. Amen.

Prayer #4
Father you call each one of us by name
and ask us to follow you.
Bless your church by raising up dedicated
And generous leaders from our
families and friends who will serve your
people as Sisters, Priests, Brothers,
Deacons, and Lay Ministers.
Inspire us as we grow to know you,
and open our hearts to hear your call.
We ask this in Jesus name.  Amen.

Prayer #5
Thank you, Lord, for all the many great and
wonderful gifts you give to our family.
Help us to live each day with joy and humility.
Keep us totally dedicated to serving you.
Teach us to recognize the many ways you
make your Spirit known.
Then help each of us to accept your gift - the
grace to answer your call to form, strengthen
and expand the Body of Christ.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.