When Sara Vetch was approached by the members of the diocesan Spiritual Motherhood group, she never knew that there was a group out there specifically praying for the intentions of her son, seminarian Max Vetch, and helping her to pray for her child. “It was a comfort to me, to have them acknowledge and vocalize my desires to them and trust that other women with that mom’s heart were lifting him and his intentions,” she explained. “Being a mom of a seminarian, I covet those prayers for him and those men because it’s so important.”

Spiritual Motherhood is described by the Office of Vocations as daily, intentional prayer for our priests, seminarians and discerners of our diocese, “in imitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and her love for Christ the Eternal High Priest.” Each woman is assigned a number that corresponds with their commitment to pray for a priest, seminarian, and/or a discerner. She can pick one, two, or all three to anonymously to offer up sufferings, prayer, and acts of reparation to lift those who are in religious life or to help discerners more clearly hear God’s call. It is open to all women in the diocese.

Karen Gebes initially was shocked by the one year commitment to the group, but thought she could pray for a discerner. At that time her son Blase was discerning his vocation and if he wanted to enter the seminary. “I saw this post on Facebook a few years ago and it’s like, oh come to this retreat, it’ll be great. I guess I didn’t read all that closely, because we got to the point where it asked if I wanted a priest, seminarian, or discerner, I said to myself, ‘what did I get myself into?’ It’s not something that you go looking for.”

“Knowing that other people have a heart for and pray for the seminarians — there is strength in numbers. That’s beautiful,” agreed Vetch.

And she’s seen the prayers working in her son. “I’ve seen Max grow in so many ways. It’s exciting to see the evolution from when he graduated from St. Thomas More High School and then Immaculate Heart of Mary. Making the leap to study in Rome when he’s a South Dakota boy was a big stretch for him, but he’s made those transitions beautifully.”

Gebes feels that community prayer as well. “The idea that you are praying in community brings you strength because you, you’re not doing it alone,” she explained. “That community aspect of spiritual motherhood brings an added bonus that just praying by yourself doesn’t. I pray for him as a mother, and knowing that the other spiritual mothers are there lets you know that you’re not alone, and it fortifies you. “I know I’m not the only one praying for Blase. I know that my son is being held up in prayer, on a daily basis from all points of the diocese. Knowing that my prayers are being united with other spiritual mothers, who have made it their mission to pray for these men every day is … there are no words.”

According to both women, there is no right or wrong way to participate when you sign up to be a spiritual mother.

“Part of the commitment is sacrifice. I just ask the Lord, ‘what can I sacrifice today for our current seminarians.’ I’m not perfect at it, but it’s part of my spirituality and growth,” said Vetch.

Gebes emphasized that there is no wrong or right way to be a spiritual mother. “You can’t do it wrong. When all you have time for is a Hail Mary, make it your best and God will multiply that,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be overwhelming, and it doesn’t have to be what someone else is doing. It can be you making a decision to commit to this and praying the way that God calls you to pray for that number you were assigned. This is what we were made for. To give of ourselves.” “It’s an honor,” said Vetch.

“It’s an honor to pray for our future priests. Without the priests there is no Eucharist. It’s an essential call. It’s very clear the importance, weight of it.”

To learn more about Spiritual Motherhood, contact Tanya Cooper in the Office of Vocations, 605-343-3541 or tcooper@ diorc.org or visit www.Gods-call.org.