Prayers, fasting, Eucharistic adoration and a return to the basics of Catholic faith are among the ways the faithful can encourage priestly and religious vocations in the church.
Those were some of the suggestions offered by a panel of lay and religious leaders discussing the state of vocations in the church today during the 2025 Legatus annual summit in Naples 6-9 February.
Sister Pia Jude of the Sisters of Life shared her personal story, highlighting the influence of strong parish engagement, Eucharistic adoration and pro-life Holy Hours in fostering her own vocation.
She recalled how, even as a young altar server, these experiences planted seeds that later led her to religious life.
Father John Burns, a priest from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, emphasised the importance of religious life as the fullest way to imitate Christ, offering the world a powerful witness of total devotion.
He recommended parishes and the laity adopt prayer, fasting and alms to ask God for an increase in vocations even if the fruits of those efforts are not realised in the short run.