Praying for Vocations, from a young age

In an effort to create a culture of vocations, Incarnate Word Academy Elementary Level has begun a mobile prayer table for vocations. Sue Denniston, Atrium Catechist, expressed her hope of creating a quiet prayer space for students and a way for them to not only be exposed to different vocations, but also develop a practice of praying for vocations as a class, individually, and with their families.
 
Denniston designed the prayer table with items that would aid students in prayer, including a crucifix, candles, holy water, a rosary, and prayer cards. The prayer table travels from classroom to classroom and goes home with students on the weekend to bring the practice of praying for vocations into the home. Students are also encouraged to bring their own photos of their parish priest or someone they know who is in religious life and whom they would like to lift up in prayer. 
 Another aspect of this mobile prayer table is that a priest or a religious sister or brother will come and talk to the students about their life and living out their vocation. Sr. Margaret Willburn visited with the students on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. She spoke about her journey to becoming a religious sister with the Order of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament. The class discussed trying to live like Jesus and share his love and light with others. 


This mobile prayer table opens the conversation about vocations and invites students to consider what God may have planned for their lives. Mrs. Pape, MEJ2 Montessori teacher, said, “The children are so faithful to remember to pray for vocations at least once daily. This has opened up conversations about what they will do in the future to serve God. We have talked about quieting our minds to hear God’s calling and have discussed what we can do now to serve Him and continue to grow in our faith.”