A Catholic bishop has linked declining family prayer to fewer priestly and religious vocations, encouraging parents to teach children to pray from early age.
Bishop Roberto Gaa of Novaliches said families must foster a culture of prayer where children can learn to listen to God and discern their calling.
“We have been praying less and less as a family. And as a result, less and less vocations are discovered,” Gaa said during a Mass at the Manila Cathedral on Oct. 31.
Gaa, chairman of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Vocations, said regular prayer from childhood could help young people recognize God’s call.
“When we start them young, when we start prayer in a steadfast manner, then more and more vocations may be discovered,” he said.
The Mass opened the third National Vocations Month, observed every November, with vocation directors from various dioceses, consecrated persons and seminarians.
After the Mass, participants held a “Walk for Vocations” through the historic walled city of Intramuros to promote awareness of different paths of religious and priestly life.
Drawing from the biblical accounts of Samuel and St. Peter, Gaa said vocational discernment requires prayer and patience, stressing that entering a seminary or religious community does not guarantee a priestly or religious vocation.
“Not all those who are being called by God, those who enter the seminary, those who enter the monastery, end up being priests or being sisters,” he said.
Gaa, who served as a formator for 15 years, said he welcomes candidates who leave formation after realizing religious life is not their calling.
“I’m happy for them because they have discovered where they are not called,” he said.
He urged priests and religious communities to accompany candidates without pressuring them to join a particular congregation, allowing them the freedom to discern God’s will.
Gaa also called on dioceses to organize joint vocation campaigns involving priests and religious sisters, giving young people opportunities to explore the priesthood, consecrated life and marriage.
Sharing his own journey, Gaa said he entered the priesthood at 30 after working as an engineer for eight years. Prayer gradually helped him recognize his calling.
“It is such a gentle nudge from God that you can easily miss it. But when you really listen to God in prayer, you are convinced that you are being called by God,” he said.
He urged Church workers to deepen their prayer lives and accompany those discerning their vocations while respecting their freedom to choose their path.
