My dear Family in Christ,

As we approach the end of the Jubilee Year of Hope and prepare ourselves to enter into 2026, I am inviting us to consider deeply the call we all received in baptism to live holy and Christ-centered lives. As Pope Saint John Paul II reminded the youth gathered for World Youth Day in 1997, and as his words remind us today:

“(Baptism) means that God acknowledges you as his children and transforms your existence into a story of love with him. He conforms you to Christ so that you will be able to fulfill your personal vocation. He has come to make a pact with you and he offers you his peace. Live from now on as children of the light who know that they are reconciled by the Cross of the Savior!”

At a time in our state, nation, and world when God seems to be forgotten by many and human dignity is threatened, I am inviting all of us in the Diocese of Burlington to renew our commitment to truly be “children of light” in a darkened world. With this in mind, I am designating 2026 as a Year of Vocations for the Diocese of Burlington.

First and foremost, it must be a year when all of us remember the call and vocation to holiness that we received in our baptism in Christ and to witness to Him in the world. Whatever our state in life, young, old, married, single, priest or religious, this call to holiness must be an essential part of our lives. If we do not want to be holy, if we do not strive, by God’s grace, for sanctity, then our faith is lifeless. We are not called to the mediocrity of life, but to a life of grace leading to eternal life.

Holiness comes to us through a life of prayer, sacrifice, and service. The call we hear in a particular way during Lent to pray, fast, and give alms is the path we must embrace if we are going to be living witnesses to God’s love in the world. Understanding that this call brings with it crosses in imitation of the Lord, who bore His cross for our salvation, we must not be afraid of the demands of love placed upon us by God, but know He will sustain us, especially during trials. The world needs our witness to God’s love now more than ever.

Along with this universal call to holiness, I also want us to dedicate a significant part of our prayer in 2026 for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life among the youth in Vermont. This is not to ignore those called to marriage or those in the single life, but a recognition that our diocese is in need of more priests and those in consecrated life to ensure that future generations will have the Gospel proclaimed in the Green Mountain State. The witness to the evangelical counsels by those in consecrated life serves as a powerful reminder to all of us to live for God first in our lives. Furthermore, without priests, we do not have the Eucharist, the Source and Summit of our lives of faith as Catholics.

To this end, I am directing that at all weekend Masses a prayer for vocations be prayed either in the General Intercessions, prior to Mass, or after Communion. Parishes are free to use the Vocations Prayer provided last year or to use some other prayer of their choosing. I ask that parishes schedule regular holy hours for vocations in their churches throughout the year. I ask that parents pray with their children to be open to a priestly or religious vocation and not to dissuade those who may be trying to answer God’s call. Finally, I urge parishioners to encourage young men and women in your parishes to think about vocations. If we want our parishes and diocese to survive and thrive, we must all take on the responsibility for promoting and sustaining vocations.

Additional activities and programs for vocations will be introduced as the year progresses, including a Vocation Pilgrimage across the state, but in the meantime, please join me in praying that the Lord of the Harvest sends us more workers for the vineyard (Mt 9:38).

In closing, let us remember the words of Saint Teresa Bendicta of the Cross (Edith Stein): “To belong to God and to serve Him in love is the vocation of all.” May all of us embrace the call to holiness we have been given by God so that by the example of saintly parents and families, holy priests, deacons, and religious, more and more Vermonters come to know, love, and serve our Lord. May vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life burst forth from the ranks of our children and youth.

Thanking you for your cooperation and support for our Year of Vocations and remembering that God alone suffices, I remain,

Sincerely yours in Christ,

+John J. McDermott
Bishop of Burlington