On Mondays, I answer questions frequently asked by those considering a return to the Catholic Church. How do I know this stuff? I was away for more than 30 years myself, and am the co-author of When They Come Home: Ways to Welcome Returning Catholics, a book for pastors and parish leaders interested in this ministry.
At my parish, we’re always praying for vocations. Why is that? Is the Church that desperate for priests?
In its broadest meaning, accepting your vocation is saying yes to 
where the Lord is calling you, whether it be as a mother or father, single person, teacher, caregiver, writer, artist, and so on, to serve Him and His people.
Vocations, in Catholic shorthand, doesn’t just mean priests. It also includes men called to be deacons, and all those called to the consecrated life (monks, sisters, nuns, and so on who take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. It can be difficult in our society to say yes to such calls from God; being a priest or nun, for example, sets you apart from the people you love in some ways. It requires great surrender of ego and pride to serve. Those who are discerning whether they are being asked to make such sacrifices to serve the Lord and His people surely need our prayers as they ponder.
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