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July 9, 2013Modern media is a great tool, and the Church has taught us that it should be embraced and used wisely as a tool for the salvation of souls. The reason it is so effective is that it can produce a strong emotional response which can help confer important information. In vocations work, especially, good media is extremely important to capture the minds and hearts of young people.
Because youth are surrounded by media, not just anything will catch their attention. It’s important that the media is aesthetically inspiring and that it soundly portrays the doctrine and life of the Church. While there are many videos available online, a few gems rise to the top. Below is a "Top 10" list of videos that are great for viewing by young people. (You'll notice there are more than 10, but who has a "Top 12" list?)
Depending on the situation you are in as a promoter of vocations, there are many different ways to use these videos effectively: in a class or youth group, watched together in a family, even posting a link on Facebook or sending a link by email.
Perhaps you may have seen some of these before, or maybe not. Regardless, they are quite captivating.
Videos promoting the Priesthood
1. Fishers of Men (2006, 18m22s)This first video is well-known; it was created and published by the USCCB as part of a program to help revitalize the priesthood in the U.S. It contains a description of priestly ministry, inspiring stories of vocation discovery, and an invitation to men to discern the priesthood.
2. NYPriest 2008 (1m) / NYPriest 2009 (1m33s)
These two short videos are put out by the same company who filmed the Fishers of Men (Grassroots Films - they have a knack for doing this kind of film just right). The films are filled with great sound and imagery, both of which can be very effective at moving young minds to consider the priestly vocation as a heroic challenge.
3. A Day in the Life (14min 59s)
Experience a day in the life of a young Roman Catholic Priest, Fr. John Muir. This video shows a priest's regular daily life as well as his extraordinary priestly and sacramental ministry.
4. A Week in the Life of a Priest (10m 44s)
From Australia (a great way to give a universal sense of the Church!), this video also shows the ordinary and extraordinary life of priests.
Videos Promoting the Religious Life for Women
5. Sr. Anne Elizabeth - Wash. Post (2m29s)
6. Sr. Allison - Hearing The Call - EWTN (2m25s)These two videos are interviews with young sisters; they both show how normal young women can leave the world to do the work of God and be very happy doing so.
7. A Day in the Life of Nuns - Oprah Show (3m13s)
8. Marrying Christ - Oprah Show (2m18s)Both of these videos portray the lives of the Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The first is about the life of the sisters, and the second is about the formation and commitment of the sisters after they enter the convent. These videos show the beauty of life in a vibrant religious community.
9. Catholic Nun Commercial (31s)
Great short "commercial" promoting consecrated life for women.
10. A Divine Vocation (5m30s)
While active religious orders are not always readily visible to the world, contemplative orders are even less so. This video interviews a younger and an older cloistered sister, showing a series of beautiful still shots of the sisters at work, prayer and recreation. It addresses both the joys and struggles of religious life.
(Bonus) Video Explaining How to Discern any Vocation
Pray, Listen, Act, Repeat (3m07s)Laying out the basic components of vocation discernment, this contemporary video is appealing and informative, and is a great tool for every young Catholic starting to discern a vocation. It stresses the importance of persisting in prayer and being open to God's will, knowing that God will lead us to our ultimate happiness if we give our lives to him.