Among the 40,000 runners who will line up to start the 2018 London Marathon on 22nd April is one ‘fancy dress’ competitor with a difference: Sr Theodora Hawksley CJ, 32, has decided to run the marathon in religious dress to promote vocations to religious life.

‘When I told my community that I would be running the marathon this year, my provincial superior said, “Do you want to run it in a veil?” My first reaction was “Gosh, it’s a big enough challenge as it is!” but then I thought, “What a great opportunity to witness!” It’s a great way of showing the world that religious life is alive and well – and even running marathons!’

We are in the immediate run up for The Day of Prayer for Vocations, which is being celebrated on Sunday 22nd April. The theme for this year is ‘It’s Your Call’. Please click here to visit our page of resources.

If you would like to have some guidance on what kind of life God may be calling you to live out, perhaps you would be interested in having a vocation guide. You would meet up on a one-to-one basis once a month and discuss your possible calling. Please email enquiries@ukvocation.org if you would like to apply for a guide.

Alternatively, why not sign up for a retreat with a religious community for quiet reflection and time with God? See a list of upcoming retreats on our website: www.ukreligiouslife.org/events.

‘Bad Habits’, a programme shown last October following a group of wild twentysomethings who spent time in a convent, has been shortlisted for the Radio Times Readers Award in the Sandford St Martins Awards!  If you enjoyed the programme, you can vote for it here: www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-03-27

The Report on Youth, Faith and Vocational Discernment is available to order from www.cpo.org.uk. The report has been written by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, in response to a worldwide consultation that was taken place in preparation for the Synod of the same name that was held October 2018.

This report is aimed at those who work with and care for young people and aims to inspire conversation that will lead to new approaches in helping young people to hear God’s call.

We are offering a course this spring for those who would like to provide vocation guidance to discerners within the Catholic tradition. It will take place at Milleret House in Kensington, London on the following days:

Unit 1: Wednesday 30th and Thursday 31st May 2018
Unit 2: Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th June 2018

The Diocese of East Anglia has 12 men studying for the priesthood – its highest number in 30 years.

Five men started their studies in September. They are based at six seminaries in three countries – Italy, Spain and England.

Fr Pat Cleary, vocations director, said one factor behind the rise in candidates was the priority placed on vocations by Bishop Alan Hopes, who was installed in the diocese five years ago.