Religious Vocation

What is a Vocation?

In the simplest terms, “vocation” means a “call.” So, in general terms your vocation is what God calls you to do with your life.

Everybody is called by God to know, love and serve him. The difference is how each one does this.

Individual vocations vary between being single, married, consecrated, religious or a priest. However, we usually use “Vocation” to mean a call to the consecrated, religious or priestly life. That is what we do on this website, but the principles and much of the advice are also applicable to the married and the single life. .

In the one life God gave you to live, you have one overriding purpose, to fulfill the will of God, because this is the key to your true destiny, eternal happiness.

God gives each one of us a particular mission in life. As we grow and life progresses, he makes it known to us, usually in indirect ways, more as an invitation than an imposition.

Discovering and ultimately following your vocation gives the greatest glory and praise to our Creator. It is what we were meant to do.

“Take up your cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34).

Links:
1. Articles-Pope John Paul II- Life as a Vocation 
2. Articles-Pope Benedict XVI- God continues to call Adolescents, Youths…
3. Articles-Vocation- Against All Odds 
4. Books- Fr. Anthony Bannon- Peter On the Shore

God tells us an amazing thing: that even before he created us he knew us and called us. However, this does not mean that we always automatically know for sure what we are called to do in life. God reveals his will gradually, we can always make a mistake and we can even say no to him. Fortunately, God always takes us where we are and so our concern should be only where does he want me to go from here, and not anguish over the past. God is always with us as long as we keep close to Him through prayer and do our best to live up to His will in the present moment.

Links:
1. Q&A-Does your God-given vocation ever change?
2. Q&A-Can my vocation be changed? 

If you are discerning or would like to explore your vocation, contact the parish office to set a time to meet with Fr John or Fr Thomas.