Let’s go all out for Jesus and His Church!
The Diocese of Wheeling Charleston is having an encore Rosary Crusade for Vocations beginning in May 2025 and extending a full year to May 2026.
In 2023, the Diocese of Wheeling Charleston’s Rosaries for Vocations resulted in literally hundreds of thousands of Rosaries pledged on our website for an increase in vocations for the Mountain State. Even more were said that weren’t tallied online, but instead recited with loving hearts to Mary.
So….
“Let’s do it again,” Bishop Mark Brennan exclaimed in the Cathedral of St. Joseph Sacristy full of priests and seminarians on the day of the recent Chrism Mass.
Are you in?
Let’s step up to the plate – using one of Bishop Mark Brennan’s beloved baseball analogies – and once again go all out for Jesus and His Church!
You’re up!
As Delegate for Consecrated Life Sister Martha Gomez works with chancery staff, Vocations Director Fr. Brian Crenwelge, our Vicars Forane, and lay leaders to roll out details, let’s start talking in our families, schools, churches, offices, campuses, religious communities, etc., to brainstorm how we can dedicate ourselves to the Rosary Crusade for Vocations in WV. Have a great idea? Share it with Sister ([email protected]) or Manager of Writing and Social Media Joyce Bibey at [email protected]. That way we can share with you and work together as Heaven wants us.
Back in 2023, individuals and groups from WV, all over the US, as well as Mexico, the Philippines, and abroad became our prayer warriors. Even the USA Council of Serra International included our intentions for increased vocations in this Mountain State during their (last Saturday of each month) monthly global Rosary for vocations during the 2023 campaign.
Rosaries & Results – Boom!
It is no secret that the 2023 One Million Rosaries for Increased Vocations in WV did more than offer our prayers through the intercession of Mary Our Blessed Mother for vocations.
It was a renewal of a beloved devotion.
It was even a re-introductory for those who never or rarely said the Rosary.
It gave responsibility and ownership to those who want to see and support faithful vocations in WV. Most importantly, it united us across the state to raise our voices young and old alike to Heaven.
Last Fall Bishop Mark and Fr. Brian introduced us to 17 seminarians! Plus, three more young men from WV entered seminaries for religious orders, and more missionary sisters and other women in formation have come to WV to serve our growing parishes and Hispanic brothers and sisters.
We have 12 men preparing for the permanent diaconate, and that is on the heels of 20 men ordained last June.
Bishop Mark truly believes those reverent prayers produced great hope and fruit.
“I’ve spoken to several men and a couple women about discernment for the priesthood and religious life respectively,” he said. “The Church, our diocese, and our parish communities need to encourage vocations to the priesthood, consecrated life, and strong Catholic marriages as well.”
Good Intentions Or Good on Your Word?
Let’s be intentional.
“I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I know that prayer changes us, and we change things,” said St. Teresa of Calcutta.
Open your hearts, minds, and voices to join and get others to join this new Rosaries for Vocations Crusade in our Almost Heaven WV, the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, Sister Martha said. “Let us make our Bishop’s wish come true for the glory of God.”
Let us live out the call to mission and become spiritually responsible for vocations in our families and our community.
As we prayerfully contemplate our pledges and commitment to our Rosary for Vocations Crusade let us pray:Oh, my Jesus,
listen to my prayer today.
Bless more young people,
more men, and more women
here in West Virginia
to say yes to your call
to be religious brothers,
sisters, and priests.
Bless my family
and my Church family
so, we can support them,
and remain close to you.
We ask Blessed Mary
and St. Joseph to come to you
in our need to build up the Church
in the great Mountain State.
AmenOfficial Crusade Kickoff
The official kickoff for the Rosary Crusade for Vocations will be at 7 pm on Tuesday, May 13th – the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima – organized by the Cathedral of St. Joseph along with St. Alphonsus in Wheeling as part of their Rosary procession.
