‘Shake the tree, Lord’ for more people discerning a religious vocation

In the past six months, Father David Blume, director of vocations for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, has noticed a bit of an uptick in the number of people inquiring about support for discerning their vocation. “Every year I think, ‘Lord, thank you for all those who are stepping forward,’” he said. “‘And I don’t want to be greedy, Lord, but if there’s a few more out there, shake the tree, Lord.’” 

In the three days preceding the interview, Father Blume had two inquiries from men who wanted to visit with him. “It’s a wonderful grace to be able to be with those who are discerning,” he said.  

Father Blume joined “Practicing Catholic” radio show host Patrick Conley to discuss vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life for a program debuting 9 p.m. Nov. 18 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM.  

During the interview, Father Blume recalled several vocational discernment events held this fall, including one at Dunrovin Retreat Center at Marine on St. Croix for women discerning their vocation, a dinner with Archbishop Bernard Hebda, and a vocations retreat attended by 15 men a few weeks ago. The events help attendees better understand the vocation they’re considering, Father Blume said, and “What is my next step?” 

The St. John Vianney College Seminary in St. Paul recently hosted a visit where men stay at the seminary Thursday to Saturday “to see what happens at the seminary” and attend classes with seminarians, have an opportunity for sacraments and “see that these are just regular guys and they want to be saints, they want to be holy,” Father Blume said. 

Some men do not have the support of one or both parents, which makes it difficult, Father Blume said. “They sense this call from the Lord, but there isn’t that support from home,” he said. He offered “a gentle reminder” to parents that if their son senses this call, that they express their 100% support if he decides to enter the seminary. 

Father Blume encouraged listeners to pray for those considering a religious vocation, and to pray that those attending vocations-related events have “a wonderful experience.” Offering encouragement to those they know also helps, Father Blume said.  

“Just saying, ‘Bob, I think I could see you as a priest, and have you ever thought about that?’” The comment must be genuine, of course, Father Blume said, but it “has a real impact.”  

Encourage a young man to talk with his priest, and if it’s a young woman believed to be well suited for religious life, encourage her to contact a religious sister, he said. 

Being genuine, and encouraging others about taking another step, is important, Father Blume said. 

For more information from the archdiocese on vocations visit 10000vocations.org, which is also on Facebook (Archdiocese of Saint Paul-Minneapolis Office of Vocations) and Instagram (10000vocations). To hear the full interview, listen to this episode of “Practicing Catholic,” which repeats at 1 p.m. Nov. 19 and 2 p.m. Nov. 20.  

Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes interviews with Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis, who discusses his pastoral letter and the role of the faithful; and Kevin Gearns, a member of the St. Joseph Business Guild, which is sponsoring an upcoming retreat, “Abundance — in Life and Death,” along with Amy Miller, a speaker and author of the book “Last Life Lesson: A Guide for Aging Adults and their Families.” 

Listen to interviews after they have aired at?PracticingCatholicShow.com or choose a streaming platform at anchor.fm/practicing-catholic-show.