Vocations
“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?”
Pope Saint John Paul II: World Youth Day speech, May 13, 1984
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
“When I reflect on my childhood, it was the regular Mass attendance, prayer, and my mum asking the question: “Have you ever thought of being a priest?” That has certainly contributed to where I am today. Initially, I dismissed the promptings of God ‘in the present moment,’ but the family environment certainly helped in fostering my vocation as a diocesan priest.”
Fr Nathan McKay, Vocations Director - Diocese of Cairns
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