He said to them, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest."
(Lk 10:2)
Welcome and thank you for your special commitment to the increase of vocations to the priesthood, permanent deaconate, and consecrated life—for the good of all His Church!
The Traveling Crucifix program is an opportunity to have your family focus on the wonders and joys of religious vocations as well as foster an increase in vocations. During the week you have the crucifix, your family is asked to set aside time DAILY for this program.
To start, place the crucifix in a prominent place of honor in your home. Then, each day of the week, as a family, gather around the crucifix to pray for vocations. Prayers could include the Serran prayer for vocations, a decade (or more) of the rosary, or specific prayers for priests, sisters, deacons, and seminarians.
In addition to praying for vocations, this is a good time for other vocation promoting activities. For example, your family may wish to discuss briefly how someone knows if God is calling him or her (see Diocese of Peoria resources on vocations, steps of discernment, suggested reading list, etc.), or identify which specific priests and other religious you are thankful for and why. Another idea could be to watch, listen, or read something on vocations, e.g. the outstanding Grass Roots Films DVD Fisher's of Men (available at the parish library/office). (Note to parents of younger children: Because of a motor vehicle accident scene, parents are encouraged to preview the movie before showing it to children.)
Also, during the week you have the crucifix, you may wish to focus on vocations in other ways. For example, your family could write a note to a priest or other religious thanking them for their service to the Lord. Making a sacrifice or two during the week, and dedicating this to an increase in vocations, is also a wonderful thing to do. Sacrifices could be those characteristic of Lent, the so-called "giving things up" type sacrifice, e.g. giving up sweets for a day, or fasting in some other way. However, sacrifice could entail doing something more than you typically do, e.g. spending time with the Lord in the perpetual adoration chapel, reading the Scriptures or serving the poor in a special way. Be creative, and no matter what you do, trust that the Lord will hear and answer your prayers for an increase in vocations. Thank you again for your efforts for vocations, and may God bless your family!