In the United States, National Vocation Awareness Week (NVAW) is celebrated each November, this year from November 2-8, 2025. NVAW is a time to highlight and promote vocations to ordained ministry and consecrated life and renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations. Follow SSND on Instagram and Facebook for special posts throughout NVAW.
There are several ways you can observe NVAW, such as special intercessions at Mass, sharing a personal message of gratitude for the gift of religious life with those in your circle of influence, visits to a nearby Catholic school or campus ministry to share your vocation story, etc. The possibilities are abundant, as are these resources on the National Religious Vocation Conference (NRVC) website. For vocation prayers, click here. Enjoy the week, have fun, take a picture or two, and let us know what you did!
The SSND North American Vocation Team serves the congregation in the U.S. and Canada by promoting a culture of vocation, with an understanding that we are all called by God to continue the mission of Jesus in some particular way. Feel free to invite others to connect to the NAVT here, where you’ll find upcoming events and resources, including a monthly discernment newsletter, Vocation Reflections and our vocation brochure in English and in Spanish.
SSND SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN – NVAW 2025
Follow SSND on Instagram and Facebook for special posts throughout NVAW.
Sunday, November 2 – ASK ME ABOUT RELIGIOUS LIFE
It’s National Vocation Awareness Week! A vocation to religious life is many things. Follow us this week to learn more!
Monday, November 3 – Religious Life is… COMMUNITY
For SSND, “Life in our faith community is a giving and a receiving of love and respect, a living together in trust, openness, sincerity, and forgiveness. Through this kind of presence to and for one another, through our prayer, dialogue, and ministry, we become a community of one mind and one heart. …We embrace this style of life as a means of continuing Christ’s mission.” (From You Are Sent, the SSND Constitution)
As we celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week and highlight and educate others about vocations to religious life, we share Sister Bridget’s reflection on community as a blessing of the consecrated life.
Tuesday, November 4 – Religious Life is… MINISTRY / SERVICE
“Urged by the love of Christ, we choose to express our mission through ministry directed toward education. For us, education means enabling persons to reach the fullness of their potential as individuals created in God’s image and assisting them to direct their gifts toward building the earth. Thus, our ministry demands a Christian vision of what the human person is called to be and what the world is destined to become…Responding to varying needs, we engage in a diversity of ministries, specific services through which we work for the enablement of persons.” (From You Are Sent, the SSND Constitution)
The stories of how God calls people to religious life are as varied as the people in that life. Sister Limétèze’s story is unique but with some common threads. Like others, her story shows how God’s call is persistent, requires openness, and may just surprise you with a sense of belonging that you never thought possible.
Wednesday, November 5 – Religious Life is… PRAYER
“In prayer we acknowledge, accept, and freely surrender to the reality of who God is and who we are, creatures unconditionally loved by our Creator. We come before God, willing to be changed and to accept our mission more intensely as we are drawn into closer union with him. Prayer brings our whole religious life into focus; it supports the rhythm of our lives emphasizing now the person, now the community, now the world we serve. Thus, prayer is our continuing response to God’s continuing call to mission…. Our encounter with God in prayer sustains and nurtures our consecrated life, both as individuals and as community.” (From You Are Sent, the SSND Constitution)
Sisters share about the importance of prayer in their lives.
We have invited young adults to gather for evening prayer online once a month for more than five years! These opportunities to share our prayer and community life is a ministry that we treasure and continue to grow. Read more in this month’s e-newsletter from the SSND Central Pacific Province (link forthcoming). You can also learn more and register for future evening prayers here.
Thursday, November 6 – Religious Life is… EUCHARIST
“We are called to be one and to bring all to oneness with God. The Eucharist is the principal source and expression of the love and unity we strive for in our community and in our world…We are most truly who we are when we celebrate and live this sacrament of unity. Thus, Eucharist is the center of our vowed life, the strongest impetus and challenge to our community in mission.” (From You Are Sent, the SSND Constitution)
Friday, November 7 – Religious Life is… JOY
“Caught up in Christ’s unconditional love, we joyfully commit the totality of our person to him. …We cling to nothing but the Lord, who gifts us with peace and joy, enables us to be content with what we receive, and sets us free from the selfish desire to possess. / Festive events of life, the church, and the congregation provide natural opportunities for us to share joyfully.” (From You Are Sent, the SSND Constitution)
Religious life is anything but boring and lonely. Sisters know how to have fun too! Listen to Sister Mary Kay’s joyful introduction to SSND.
Saturday, November 8 – Religious Life is… MAKING A DIFFERENCE
“Our mission is to proclaim the good news as School Sisters of Notre Dame, directing our enhttps://vimeo.com/908057990tire lives toward that oneness for which Jesus Christ was sent. As he was sent to show the Father’s love to the world, we are sent to make Christ visible by our very being, by sharing our love, faith, and hope.
“Amid the diversity which exists in our church and in our world, our continuous striving for unity in our faith communities is a valuable witness. Realizing that unity can be expressed in and enriched by diversity, we endeavor to be a unifying force among God’s people. In turn, those to whom we are sent aid us in our union with Christ and challenge us to renewed commitment to his mission.” (From You Are Sent, the SSND Constitution)
SSND throughout our international congregation educate, advocate and act to support human rights around the globe and care of our common home, Earth. Read how Sister Linda works to help immigrants know their rights.
Thank you for following us this week as we reflected on the call to religious life. SSND across the generations can tell you that discerning and living a religious vocation isn’t always easy, but it is worth it – just ask!
If you find yourself wondering if you might be called to religious life, we are happy to support you in the joys, hopes, anxieties, and questions. Here are some ways you can go deeper in discernment and connect with us:
● Check out this website and follow us on social media. You’ll learn about our congregation and find discernment resources. Sometimes you just need to browse and learn first!
● Sign up to receive Vocation Reflections, our monthly discernment newsletter. You’ll get reflections from sisters, helpful resources, and learn about upcoming discernment opportunities.
● Join us for our monthly online evening prayer to journey in community with those who have similar dreams and questions. You are not alone!
● Connect with a sister on our vocation team to chat about whatever would be most helpful for you. We’re happy to answer questions, connect you to resources, or simply be a listening ear. No pressure and no strings attached!
You could be part of the next generation of religious women. As you discern, you have the support and prayers of all the generations before you. The God who calls has always been and will always be faithful. Imagine the possibilities!