Vocations

Pope Saint John Paul II: World Youth Day speech, May 13, 1984

“What will you do with your life? What are your plans? Have you ever thought of committing your existence totally to Christ? Do you think that there can be anything greater than to bring Jesus to people and people to Jesus?”

To Be Holy

The Vocation of Every Person in the World is to Be Holy.

In brief, a vocation is: “A call from God to a distinctive state of life, in which the person can reach holiness.”

The primary and universal vocation of every person in the world is to be holy – to become like Jesus Christ.

Every vocation is about serving others, and God made us for this reason. He desires that we love others as ourselves and live selflessly. This is happiness and holiness. When a person learns how to serve others and makes this the consuming concern of their life, they are happy.

Particular Vocation refers to the particular state of life in which we are called to fulfil our primary and universal vocation of holiness.

For a Catholic in the Roman Rite, there are basically four options:

Holy Marriage
Holy Orders (Deacon, Priest, Bishop)
Religious Life
Generous Single Life in Christ

It’s essential that parents/guardians foster an understanding of ‘Vocation’ in the home. It’s important to raise the aspect of a vocation as a religious sister (for women); as a religious brother (for men) and priesthood (either in a religious order or as a diocesan priest for men). There is also the ministry of Deacon that has equal value. Do discuss these options in the home.

For more information about Catholic vocations, contact Fr Nathan McKay Nathan.McKay@cairns.catholic.org.au