3 Ways Catholic Radio Encourages Vocations: Why It Matters

Catholic radio is more than just a source of spiritual inspiration; it’s a powerful tool for fostering vocations. From sharing the stories of those who have answered God’s call to creating opportunities for prayer and discernment, Catholic radio plays a unique role in shaping the future of the Church. In a world filled with competing voices, Catholic radio provides a space where listeners can reflect on their purpose and deepen their relationship with God. This article explores three key ways Catholic radio encourages vocations and why its impact is so vital to the life of the Church today.

 

Catholic Radio Is More Than “Just Christian”

 

A hallmark of Christian radio programming is to invite people into a relationship with God. However, Catholic radio goes a few steps further to encourage:

 

• Continual conversion leading to a deeper life in Christ, encouraging appreciation for the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist

 

• The proclamation of the truth of the Catholic church, which incorporates not only Sacred Scripture, but Sacred Tradition, and the Magisterium

 

• living an authentic life in the Holy Trinity, including participation in the sacraments and living out one’s vocation.

 

 

There Are Four Types of Vocations

 

“Vocation” from the Latin, “vocare”, means, “to call”. A vocation is not a job, career choice, or what we do. Instead, it is a call to holiness that can be lived out through:

 

• The sacrament of Matrimony. This union is designed for spouses to grow in holiness as each helps the other get to heaven.

 

• Religious life. As a Sister, Nun, Monk, or Brother, a person lives in community with the purpose of building up the kingdom of God.

 

• The sacrament of Holy Orders to the diaconate or priesthood. This sacrament is an unbroken line from the times of the apostles in which men serve God’s people in a diocese/archdiocese or religious order.

 

• The single life. Sometimes men or women serve God in a way that utilizes the freedom characterized by the single lifestyle.

 

 

Catholic Radio Encourages Vocations in Three Ways

 

1. Catholic radio evangelizes its listeners.

 

Catholic priests, Scripture scholars, apologists, and other program hosts will help you understand the facets of the Catholic faith and Church. You will grow in knowledge of the Christian life and vocations.

 

 

2. You Will Grow in Holiness by Listening to Catholic Radio

 

You will grow grow in understanding of the Church’s teachings. Knowledge and understanding are foundational for experiencing a deeper relationship with Jesus to grow in holiness.

 

Holiness is attractive to people who are struggling or do not have a relationship with God. You will become a light to others.

 

 

3. Personal Holiness is the Foundation for Discerning Vocations

 

In any relationship it is important to spend time with a person you want to know, and a relationship with God is no different. Whether you are called to matrimony, religious life, holy orders, or the single life, there is one common element: God comes first.

 

It is only when you hear the voice of God and experience the Presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit that you can discover who you are created to be.

 

 

Why Encouraging Vocations Matters

 

Discerning a vocation for Matrimony isn’t about finding the right person to marry, but being the right person before God to help your spouse get to heaven.

 

Discerning Holy Orders, religious life, or even the single life isn’t about giving up a career, money, marriage, or independence. It’s surrendering oneself to God to live authentically. It’s responding to a call of service to the Church, the spouse of Christ.

 

Vocations matter because:

 

1. The Foundation of Life in the Church Is Family.

 

The Holy Trinity is three Persons in One God: a family. Family is established in Genesis with Adam and Eve with the command to be fruitful and multiply. Christ is the Bridegroom and His Church is the Bride.

 

Humanity is ordered in the context of family. Matrimony fulfills the Will of the God and is a manner through which God bestows grace to not only a married couple, but to communities and the world.

 

 

2. Without Priests, There Is No Eucharist or Sacramental Reconciliation.

 

Through the sacrament of Holy Orders that priests act “in persona Christ”, “in the Person of Christ”. These graces flow from an unbroken chain (apostolic succession).

 

Only priests consecrate bread and wine so the Real Presence of Jesus is manifested in the Eucharist. No priest, no Eucharist.

 

Although we can approach God in prayer, asking forgiveness for our sins, it is incomplete without absolution. The priest does not forgive sins, it is the priest, “in persona Christi”. No priest, no absolution and spiritual healing.

 

 

3. People with Vocations to Religious Life and the Single Life Are the Hands and Feet of Christ

 

The apostles carried the good news of Jesus to foreign lands. They taught others what Jesus spoke and lived. Vocations to the religious life and the single life carry on this mission of the Church.

 

Religious orders have unique charisms including evangelization, missionary work, teaching, promoting the Love and Mercy of Jesus, and living a cloistered life of prayer and intercession for the world, among others.

 

Before there were government institutions and programs, there were Catholic religious communities who undertook the work to assist the poor and needly in countless ways.

 

Today, those in religious life and those with a vocation to the single life continue to work to solve social problems in society. They live the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.

 

 

To learn more about vocations in the Catholic Church, click here. You will find informational websites, videos, and other resources for discernment.

 

 

Catholic Radio Assists People in Discovering Their Vocations

 

You can listen online to one of our five livestreams, find your local station, or download our free app for Apple and Android.