Grace Thompson
The Catholic Church recognizes various vocations, and individuals can discern their calling through prayer and guidance. Traditionally, the term vocation in Catholicism referred specifically to priestly or religious vocations, but the concept has evolved over time. The Church now acknowledges multiple paths, including the single life, married life, and religious life or priesthood. These vocations are not limited to natural inclinations but are considered supernatural callings, with the Holy Spirit believed to be the source of each authentic vocation. While the priesthood and religious life hold significant value, they do not undermine the importance of marriage and the single life in the Church's hierarchy of vocations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of vocations | 3 or 4 |
| Examples of vocations | Single life, married life, religious life, priesthood |
| Vocation for men | Friars, monks, brothers, permanent deacons, hermits, consecrated members of a secular institute |
| Vocation for women | Sisters, nuns |
| Vocation directors | Help individuals prayerfully consider their next step in life |
| Consecrated life | Single life vocation, vast forms, living alone or in a community |
| Diocesan priests | Involved in administration, campus ministry, hospital and prison chaplaincy, teaching, foreign missions |
| Deacons | Men 35 years or older, married or single, serving the people of God in ordained diaconal ministry |
| Diocesan Vocation Offices | Provide information about diocesan priesthood |
| Second-career vocations | Men and women leaving successful careers to join or affiliate with a religious community |
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What You'll Learn
Marriage
The concept of marriage as a vocation was popularized by St. Josemaria in the Spain of the 1920s and 1930s, and it was initially received with bemusement and laughter. Traditionally, only priests and religious figures were considered to have a state of life that could be called a vocation, as marriage was seen as a natural institution created by God for the propagation of the human race, mutual love, and family building. However, St. Josemaria's perspective challenged this notion, arguing that marriage is a vocation in its own right.
The Catholic Church emphasizes the importance of marriage preparation, encouraging couples to invest time and energy into understanding their responsibilities and the sacred nature of their union. Marriage is regarded as a lifelong commitment, and the Church offers various resources such as retreats, sponsor couples, and marriage preparation classes to help engaged couples build a strong foundation for their married life together.
The vocation of marriage is a call to a life of holiness and service within the couple's relationship and family. It is seen as a way of following the Lord and expressing God's truth and love in the world. The decision to marry and start a family is considered a process of vocational discernment, where individuals gradually recognize and accept their calling through prayer, guidance from mentors, and a deepening of conviction and commitment.
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Priesthood
The Catholic Church recognises three vocations: the single life, married life, and the religious life or priesthood. The priesthood is a calling from God to share in his mission in the world. A priest is a spiritual father to thousands of Catholics, preaching the Gospel and offering the sacrifice of the Mass. They are also ministers of the sacraments, proclaimers of the word, teachers of the faith, and stewards of the Church.
The path to becoming a priest is a thoughtful and joyful process. The first stage is the initial call, where a man feels an attraction to the priesthood for the first time. This is followed by a latency period, during which the man continues to think about the priesthood for a few years. The next step is to talk to a priest about how you feel and seek guidance from a spiritual director. Many institutes have a formal discernment process that candidates engage in before entering the seminary.
Priests are expected to be celibate, which means abstaining from any sexual relations or activity. This can be a source of anxiety and fear for those considering the priesthood, especially in today's sex-saturated society. However, it is believed that God's grace can help men overcome sexual lust and live peacefully in celibacy.
The priesthood is a full and permanent commitment that has long been a part of Catholic tradition. Diocesan priests are involved in various ministries, including administration, campus ministry, hospital and prison chaplaincy, and teaching. They also have an abiding prayerful relationship with God, to whom they minister.
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Consecrated life
The consecrated life is a gift from God to His Church through the Holy Spirit. It is a call to devote oneself entirely to God, consecrating all things present and future to Him. Consecrated persons are "set apart" to love and live for God and His Church. They are dedicated to serving God and building up the Church by assisting all to attain their eternal salvation. As they are perfected by their love of God, they become a sign of the heavenly kingdom.
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Single life
Traditionally, the term "vocation" in the Catholic Church was used to refer to priestly or religious vocations—a life consecrated to God. However, the Catholic Church recognizes three vocations: single life, married life, and religious life or priesthood.
It is important to note that the universal call to holiness, or the fundamental vocation to love as Jesus loves, takes precedence over one's marital status or ordination. All Christians are called to live a life of charity and grow towards perfection, regardless of their specific vocation.
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Diocesan priesthood
Diocesan priests, also known as secular priests, are ordained into the service of the residents of a diocese or equivalent church administrative region. They commit themselves to a certain geographical area and serve the everyday needs of the people in their parishes.
Diocesan priests make three promises to the church before their bishop: to pray daily the Liturgy of the Hours, to obey and be loyal to their bishop, and to live a celibate life. They do not make a promise of poverty and may own their own property and handle their own financial affairs. They are involved in administration, campus ministry, hospital and prison chaplaincy, and teaching. They also spend much of their time celebrating the sacraments, such as the Eucharist, Reconciliation, Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and Confirmation.
Diocesan priests are expected to be secular clergy rather than monastics, as the support of a wife is considered necessary for a priest living "in the world". However, they do forgo their natural right to marry “for the sake of the Kingdom of God”.
Discernment for a diocesan priesthood vocation can be done with the help of a Vocation Team, who create an environment where one can encounter Christ, interact with others who are also discerning, and listen to priests share their vocation stories. One can also shadow a priest in his ministry, become more involved in one's parish, and participate in vocation programs. Many institutes have a formal discernment process that the candidate will engage in before entering the seminary. Preparation for Catholic priesthood generally requires eight years of study beyond high school, including a college degree followed by four or more years of theology study at a seminary.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Church recognises three vocations: the single life, married life, and the religious life or priesthood.
Being single is a fully supported vocation in the Catholic Church. It does not mean being single by default because one is not having any luck in the dating world. Those who feel drawn to marriage will, in God's timing, find the right individual.
The religious life involves making religious vows or special commitments. Those called to this life are also single and may live in a community or alone as hermits or consecrated virgins, depending on God's will and their superior's direction.
