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31 Club: Faithfully Dedicating Prayer to Vocations and Religious Life
We all have a very great appreciation for our priests, deacons, and those in the consecrated religious life. In turn, we realize how vitally important it is to pray for more men and women to be open to God’s call to these vocations. The members of the Vocations Ministry Team recognized the need for more people to answer this call to religious vocations and started a group, the 31 Club, to pray for an increase in vocations.
“Since months can have up to 31 days, we call it the 31 Club so we have someone praying for vocations each day of the month, every day of the year,” says Joyce Yosten, a longtime member of the ministry.
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As Joyce notes, the ministry began in response to the shortage of priests in our diocese. “We have been going for nearly 10 years,” she says. “Our shortage of priests is increasing with the retirement of more of our dedicated priests. I think it is so terrible when we have to close churches because of this. This is one of the reasons that I pray so much for an increase in vocations. A priest is so important in the parish to be there for the people.”
The Vocations Ministry Team promotes all vocations including religious, married, and single life. The 31 Club prays specifically for religious vocations. Those who sign up are asked to commit one hour of prayer on the day they choose. This can be done at the church, at home, or whatever is most convenient for you.
As St. John Vianney said, “The priest is not a priest for himself; he does not give himself absolution; he does not administer the sacraments to himself. He is not for himself. He is for you.” This point is not lost on those who pray for an increase in vocations. When it comes to the administering of sacraments and the life of the parish, a priest is not something that can be replaced or substituted.
The consecrated religious life also performed a vital role within the Church. From constant service to those in need to supporting the church and even the whole world through prayer, the consecrated religious life is crucial to the health of the church. Benedictines were credited with preserving Western culture through the decline and fall of the Roman Empire. With their message of balance, stability, hospitality, and moderation, the Rule of St. Benedict was key to maintaining the survival of Western civilization. In more recent times, religious have been teachers, starting schools to educate children, and filled many roles within the Church, dedicating their lives to prayer and service to others.
“One of the things that is so great about this ministry is the flexibility,” Joyce says. “You can pray anywhere or any way. You can go to an hour of adoration, go to Mass or pray at home. It is great for those who are working or retired. This is wonderful for our homebound parishioners to be involved and also our youth. It is something that you can do in any season of life.”
