Last updated on 11/13/2019
November 3-9, 2019, is National Vocation Awareness Week. The dozen books below thoughtfully consider vocations (marriage, consecrated life, priesthood, and single life) through characters who consider, discern, or actively live their vocation. They range from a picture book and a chapter book to stories for teens and adults.
- Molly McBride and the Purple Habit by Jean Schoonover-Egolf (religious life, priesthood)
- Sisters of the Last Straw by Karen Kelly Boyce (religious life)
- Guarding Aaron by T.M. Gaouette (priesthood)
- Standing Strong by Theresa Linden (religious life, priesthood)
- Brothers by Corinna Turner (priesthood)
- Bane’s Eyes by Corinna Turner (marriage)
- The Mermaid and the Unicorn by Elizabeth Amy Hajek (marriage, religious life)
- Playing by Heart by Carmela Martino (marriage, religious life)
- A Soldier Surrenders by Susan Peek (religious life, priesthood)
- Charlotte’s Honor by Ellen Gable (marriage)*
- A Subtle Grace by Ellen Gable (marriage, priesthood)
- Stay With Me by Carolyn Astfalk (marriage, priesthood)
* I included Charlotte’s Honor here not necessarily because of marriage, although the characters do contemplate marriage. What strikes me most about Charlotte’s Honor in relation to vocations is what Mother Teresa referred to as a call within a call. While Charlotte may be called to marriage, she is also specifically called to accompany dying men on their journey.
What fictional stories would you recommend that address vocations? Add them in the comments below.
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Here’s one I overlooked. A Life Such as Heaven Intended by Amanda Lauer.
Here’s another that was recommend on Facebook: Leave if You Can by Luise Rinser.
The Boys Upstairs is about a disabled priest and his estranged brother, an atheist cop. The story of the priest’s conversion and discernment is part of why they’re at odds with one another, and there’s a point where he’s talking to one of the teens about the priesthood.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BN2SR1M/
Thanks for adding The Boys Upstairs, Jane. Father Jay definitely needs a place on the list.