Vocations update September 2025
“And let us become saints!” This was a phrase St. Gaspar used from time to time to close his letters to those seeking his guidance and council. Reflecting upon the crucifix and the gift of the Precious Blood of Jesus, St. Gaspar recognized the dignity of each person as a beloved child of God. Because of his gift of unconditional love, Jesus has opened for us the path to sainthood.
In January, we celebrated the beatification of Blessed Giovanni Merlini, one of St. Gaspar’s closest collaborators in the Precious Blood congregation. In September, the Church celebrates the canonization of Pier Biorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis, and in October, seven other faithful men and women will be canonized saints — ordinary people whose vibrant faith and witness to holiness radiated Christ. In a culture where many wrestle to know their true identity as children of God, these saints are a breath of life and hope.
In this autumn season, the Office of Vocation ministry is picking up on this call to holiness and the potential each person has to become a saint. In October, we will continue the workshops, training volunteers to become animators of vocations. The third week of October, we will be at Calumet College of St. Joseph in Whiting, Indiana, facilitating the Busy Student Retreat in collaboration with their Office of Campus Ministry.
November begins with National Vocation Awareness Week, Nov. 2–8. The Vocation Office will distribute materials to all our members, Companions, and ministry sites, helping each of us to be animators of vocations at the local level.
Nov. 8 and 9, we will host our next Vocational Discernment Retreat at St Charles Center, Carthagena, Ohio. The focus of this retreat is for men who are in our inquiry formation program or who are just beginning to ask the question of a call to consecrated life. Our reflections will highlight our baptismal call to holiness as the path to sainthood.
Finally, we are excited to announce a special event for families and young adults entitled, “Saints in the Making! An Evening of Music and Worship.” Saturday, Nov. 22, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at St. James Catholic Church, Liberty, Missouri.
Join us for an evening of prayer and praise with Tony Meléndez, a Nicaraguan-American guitar player, composer, singer, and songwriter who was born without arms. Through music and the sharing of personal life stories, Tony’s message is one of hope, encouragement, and faith. This event is sponsored by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood Office of Vocation Ministry in collaboration with St. James Church and the Precious Blood Renewal Center.