Vocations Starts at Home

The word vocation comes from the Latin word ‘Vocare’ which means to call. Vocation means “A calling from God” in the Church, and there are so many different ways that you can be called! Just like Jesus called the disciples, God calls us all to do a greater service, so how can the home play a role in helping children to discern whether they’re being called to religious life or to married or even a single life in the world?

We are reminded by Sr. Faustina Maria Pia that “cultivating vocations begins in the family, where Jesus is alive and prayer is conversation with him”. To this end, the family is aptly referred to as the “domestic church” where everything that a church provides at the social level, a family provides to its members at the family level. In his pastoral letter on the domestic church, Bishop Llanos refers to it as the ‘load bearing wall of civilization”. He says further that “its strength determines whether civilization and the church stand or fall.” In short, the family is called to strive daily to meet the spiritual needs of its members, to spread the good news to others, to meet the needs of the poor and underprivileged, to be a moral exemplar to human society, while also serving as “faithful pilgrim in this world in preparation for the fullness of the kingdom of God”.

Many Catholic parents are very apprehensive about their children becoming priests or religious. However, in time, these concerns all disappear as the their vocation matures. Be inspired by the video below which shares some few practical things that can be done within the home to ensure that vocations are encouraged and nurtured.

 

 

 

Single Life

“Virginity for the sake of the kingdom of heaven is an unfolding of baptismal grace, a powerful sign of supremacy of the bond with Christ and the ardent expectation of his return, a sign which also recalls that marriage is a reality of this present age which is passing away.” (CCC 1619)

Consecrated Virginity

"In the Church, which is like the sacrament- the sign and instrument - of God's own life, the consecrated life is seen as a special sign of the mystery of redemption. To follow and imitate Christ more nearly and to manifest more clearly his self- emptying is to be more deeply present to one's contemporaries, in the heart of Christ." CCC 932

Marriage

"The intimate community of life and love which constitutes the married state has been established by the Creator and endowed by him with its own proper laws. . . . God himself is the author of marriage. The vocation to marriage is written in the very nature of man and woman as they came from the hand of the Creator.” CCC 1603

Religious Life

“In the consecrated life, Christ’s faithful, moved by the Holy Spirit, propose to follow Christ more nearly, to give themselves to God who is loved above all and, pursuing the perfection of charity in the service of the Kingdom, to signify and proclaim in the Church the glory of the world to come.” CCC 916

Permanent Deacon

"Deacons share in Christ's mission and grace in a special way. The sacrament of Holy Orders marks them with an imprint ("character") which cannot be removed and which configures them to Christ, who made himself the "deacon" or servant of all." CCC 1570

Priesthood

The sacrament (of Holy Orders) configures the recipient to Christ by a special grace of the Holy Spirit, so that he may serve as Christ’s instrument for His Church. By ordination, one is enabled to act as a representative of Christ, Head of the Church, in his triple office of priest, prophet and king.” CCC 1581

GENERAL PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

O loving and gracious God, Father of all,
You bless Your people in every time and season and
provide for their needs through Your providential care.
Your Church is continually in need of young men and women
to offer their lives in service of the Gospel as
Priests, sisters, and brothers.
Open the hearts of Your sons and daughters to listen to
Your call in their lives.  Give them the gift of understanding
to discern Your invitation to serve You and Your Church.
Give them the gift of courage to follow Your call.
May they have the spirit of young Samuel who found fulfillment
In his life when he said to You,
“Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening.”
 
Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church,
teach those who are called by Your Son
to give a joyful “YES!”
as you did to the Angel Gabriel at the Annunciation.
 
We ask this, through Christ, Our Lord. 

Amen.

Prayer to Know My Vocation

Lord, I want to be happy in this life
and spend eternity with You in the life to come.
 
From the first moment of my existence,
You knew my vocation.
Please help me discover Your plan for my life.
 
Help me to know myself.
Help me to overcome my fears.
Help me to want what You want.
Help me to trust You completely.
 
Send Your Holy Spirit into my mind and heart.
so I can see the gifts You have given me
and hear Your call to serve the Church
Increase my desire to bring others to You
and to help them reach heaven.
 
Mary Most Holy, Mother of God
pray for me, that I can discover my vocation
and have the courage to respond in faith.
 
Amen.