The Diocese of Orlando will celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week from Nov. 7-13 by highlighting priests, sisters, and deacons, and sharing their vocation stories.

National Vocation Awareness Week is celebrated in November every year as a week to pray for those who are considering a vocation to the priesthood, diaconate, or consecrated life, according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). 

“HAPPY NATIONAL VOCATIONS AWARENESS WEEK! This week we will share vocation stories from our priests, religious sisters, and deacons, filled with joy, love, and a desire to serve the Lord! NVAW is an annual week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations," said the Diocese of Orlando in a Facebook post on Sunday. 

"The diocesan website includes a wealth of resources, as well as videos from current priests and nuns about their vocation experiences for those searching for more information on vocation. National Vocation Awareness Week within the Diocese includes vocation stories from our priests, religious sisters, and deacons."

“Father Matthew Hawkins shares how vital it is to abandon fear – especially when God calls.  Father Matthew is the parochial administrator at Saint Paul Catholic Church in Leesburg and assistant vocations director," continued the diocese on Facebook. 

Currently, within the Diocese of Orlando, there are 20 young men who are studying as seminarians, according to the diocese's website. 

Founded in 1976, National Vocation Awareness Week celebrates vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life through prayer and education as a way to support all vocations, according to USCCB.