In a few weeks I will conclude my work as the diocesan vocation director and become a parish pastor. It has been a joy to serve Bishop Joseph L. Imesch and the people of the Joliet Diocese as vocation director, even through the difficulties of the past few years. It has been a special satisfaction to journey with the seminarians and newly ordained priests who have given God a chance with their lives in priesthood. I am grateful for the warm receptions I have received in our parishes and schools. I am thankful for all of the prayers and actions that are offered to further the cause of vocations.

Sometimes people will ask me about the vocations crisis that they hear about. The usual inference is they are interested in knowing why the numbers of priests and religious continue to drop. After these many years of promoting vocations, screening candidates, and working with seminarians, I am more convinced that the real vocation crisis is not with priesthood and religious life. The real vocation crisis is in our homes and with our families. The first sense of vocation—that God has a plan for our lives—needs to be fostered first and foremost in family life.

In the past several months I have had the opportunity to share the “Beatitudes for Nurturing Vocations within our Families” with several groups. These eight simple ways for family blessing seem to resonate well with many people today. I would like to share some personal reflections on four of these beatitudes.

The first is probably the most important: Blessed are the children of parents who witness love for their spouse, their children, their neighbor and the world. When children see their parents live in such a way as they find meaning and purpose through marriage, children learn that they too have a purpose and reason for being here. My brothers and sisters first learned the importance of love not from the church but from our mom and dad. We call marriage “holy matrimony” for a reason; marriage should lead couples and children to greater holiness and love.

Another beatitude: Blessed are the children of parents who remind their children that they are loved by God and have been given gifts to serve others. All of us need to know that God loves us no matter what, and knowledge of this blessed assurance comes first from our parents, not from priests. Also parents teach us to say “Thank you” and to share what we have. Within the context of our spiritual life, gratitude and sharing gifts lead to a deeper awareness of the blessings and graces we need to give back to God in some form of service or ministry.

A third beatitude: Blessed are the children of parents who lead their family in prayer. I saw my dad get on his knees to pray each night long before I realized what the priest was doing at church. His actions taught me that getting on one’s knees to pray is not just for little boys and girls, but that prayer is a life-long conversation with God. He also taught me not to be afraid to sing at Mass. My mom continues to be a daily communicant and an inspiration for faithful commitment to the Mass. Praying as a family and bringing children to church for Mass and devotions are important factors in raising a blessed family.

The final beatitude: Blessed are the children of parents who encourage their children to consider priesthood and religious life, as well as marriage. One might think that this would be the first beatitude, but it is the last. It only makes sense to introduce the notion of a life-time commitment to a consecrated life as a priest, sister of brother, once the foundations of vocation, prayer and generosity have been laid. This beatitude also addresses how we talk about their futures with our children. Do we say things like, “When you get married … ,” or “When you have children …”? Perhaps it would be better to use “if” instead of “when.” As we talk about the positive aspects and hopes for marriage, we also need to talk about the positive aspects and possibilities of priesthood and religious life with children. Regardless of the decisions children might make concerning their futures, they will know that their parents are generous with the Lord if they are simply open to the possibility of their son or daughter answering the call to priesthood or religious life.

If we are able to reclaim and build up the sense of vocation within our families, we will benefit not only from a more vibrant church and more priests to serve her, but our families will be blessed indeed.

This list of beatitudes was developed by the National Religious Vocation Conference and is printed on cards that can be distributed in parishes. The phone number for NCCV to order the cards and to request a catalog of many other vocation resources is 1-800-671-6228.