Sarah Mitchell
The Catholic Church believes in the concept of a personal vocation, a unique calling from God that guides each individual toward a life of fulfilment and purpose. The term 'vocation' is not limited to ordained ministry or religious life but encompasses every aspect of an individual's life, including work, family, relationships, and service to others. A vocation is a profound commitment to follow God's call, and it requires thoughtful effort and care to understand that calling. This careful process of discovering God's will is known as vocational discernment. It involves deep self-awareness, a solid understanding and love for the Catholic faith, and familiarity with the different vocations. It is a lifelong journey of self-discovery and discernment, requiring prayer, reflection, and a willingness to explore different possibilities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Faith | Courageous trust in life and in God |
| Hope | Openness to the unimaginable and to surprise |
| Love | A "yes" to limitless belonging |
| Deep self-awareness | Understanding your personality, strengths, weaknesses, inclinations, spirituality, mental abilities, and physical health |
| Understanding and love for the Catholic faith | Familiarity with the different vocations, what they entail, and the life they shape for those who embrace them |
| Exploration | Being active, not passive, and having no expectation of getting it right the first time |
| Prayer | Asking "Lord, who do you want me to be?" instead of "Lord, what do you want me to do?" |
| Relationship with God | Continuous growth and development, finding new ways to live life with purpose and meaning |
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What You'll Learn
Understand what a vocation is
The word "vocation" is related to the term "vocal cords" and means "a calling". It means spending your life doing what your heart feels called to do. To follow a vocation means living your own unique life.
The Catholic Church believes in the concept of a personal vocation, a unique calling from God that guides each individual toward a life of fulfilment and purpose. This calling encompasses every aspect of life, including work, family, relationships, and service to others. It is not about achieving a certain goal or reaching a specific destination, but about continually growing in your relationship with God and finding new ways to live your life with purpose and meaning.
Discerning a vocation is simply part of the Christian life. God has called us to be something, and figuring this out is what it means to follow Christ. This careful process of discovering God's will is known as vocational discernment. It is about learning God's will for you, and his will is revealed the more we come to know and love him. Our ability to know and love God is a grace given usually through the habitual practice of the Faith.
Deep self-awareness is key to understanding your vocation. This involves understanding your personality, strengths, weaknesses, inclinations, spirituality, mental abilities, and even physical health. It also requires a solid understanding and love for the Catholic faith, as well as familiarity with the different vocations and the lives they shape. This process takes time and requires study, prayer, and patience. It is a journey of self-discovery and discernment, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer.
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Deep self-reflection and prayer
Self-reflection and prayer are essential tools for discerning your vocation as a Catholic. This process is about learning God's will for you, which is revealed as you come to know and love Him more deeply.
Prayer and Self-Reflection
Self-reflection is not just a spiritual practice but can also help you excel in your work and other areas of life. It requires courage and deliberate thought. When reflecting, you should look back on the day without bias or regret and contemplate your behaviour and its consequences. What worked, what didn't, and what can be done differently?
The Prayer of Examen is a Christian practice of daily, prayerful self-reflection. There isn't one set version of this prayer, but it typically involves the following:
- Place yourself in God's presence and give thanks for His love.
- Pray for the grace to understand how God is acting in your life.
- Review your day and recall specific moments and your feelings.
- Reflect on your actions, words, and thoughts. Were they drawing you closer to God or further away?
- Look towards tomorrow and consider how you can align yourself with God's plan.
> "Lord of compassion, show me how to reach a deeper loving. Take me past the pain when love is cast aside, to the source of healing where I can renew myself. Let me take in whatever is given to me that is unloving and cleanse it in your light and return it kind and clear. Expose my cave of darkness where I hide my fears and let me see how the light transforms all it touches. Steady me as I look into the window of my world and its perfect reflection, as it offers me the choice of correction. Reveal to me the brighter image of the one who stands within the greater possibilities, the fulfillment that is present in the acceptance of every overcoming."
Questions to Ask Yourself
As part of your self-reflection, you might consider asking yourself some basic questions to help guide you towards your vocation:
- What would I really like to do?
- What am I good at doing or learning?
- What opportunity is life offering me right now for doing what makes me come joyfully alive?
Understanding Vocation
It's important to remember that a vocation is not just an "occupation" or a "career". A vocation is God's choice for you, a particular life He has created for you and invited you to undertake for love of Him. It is a life of love, a response to His total gift of Himself to you.
Discerning your vocation is a natural part of the Christian life. God has called you to be something, and figuring this out is what it means to follow Christ. It is about conforming to Him and following Him closely.
As you engage in self-reflection and prayer, remember that your vocation is unique to you. It is your answer to a very personal calling, and it will bring you joy, even amid rough times.
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Explore different possibilities
The Catholic Church believes in the concept of a personal vocation, a unique calling from God that guides each individual toward a life of fulfilment and purpose. This calling encompasses every aspect of one's life, including work, family, relationships, and service to others.
Exploring different possibilities involves actively seeking out and embracing new experiences, and being open to surprises. It is about taking the time to understand yourself and your unique gifts, and discovering how your life can be a gift to others.
Start by asking yourself some basic questions: What would I really like to do? What am I good at doing or learning? What opportunities are available to me right now, and which of these will bring me joy?
Connect with other Catholics and talk to people from different walks of life. Learn about their experiences and how they found their unique calling. By doing so, you can gain insight into different possibilities and paths that may be open to you.
Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to vocation. The specific path may look different for each person, and it may take months or even years to discover your true calling. Embrace the process of continuous growth and development as you learn more about yourself and God's will for your life.
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Connect with other Catholics
Connecting with other Catholics is an important part of living in community with others and pursuing a life of holiness. Here are some ways to connect with other Catholics:
Online Catholic Dating Websites
Online Catholic dating websites such as Catholic Singles and Catholic Match can be great places to meet other Catholics. While most people join these sites for dating purposes, others are there for fellowship and community. These websites offer the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion and devotion to the Catholic faith. You can be intentional about building online friendships and even take them offline by swapping phone numbers and meeting in person.
Catholic-Based Events and Retreats
Attending Catholic-based events and retreats is another way to connect with other Catholics. Keep an eye out for local events or retreats organized by Catholic organizations or parishes. If there aren't any events happening in your area, consider taking the initiative to start your own group and invite other Catholic adults to join. This could be a great way to build a community of like-minded Catholics in your local area.
Resources for Catholic Singles
If you're a Catholic single, there are specific resources and communities tailored to your needs. Single Catholics, for example, offers a wide range of resources for never-married Catholics, divorced Catholics, and Catholic widows/widowers. They provide information on Catholic dating, prayers for single Catholics, and religious vocation discernment resources. They aim to support Catholic singles in every aspect of their lives, including marriage prep and planning a Catholic wedding.
Intentional Friendship
As adults, friendship requires intentionality, time, and commitment. Embrace your Catholic identity and be intentional about connecting with fellow Catholics, whether it's through online communities or in-person events. Seek out individuals who share your values and can encourage you in your pursuit of a holy life. Remember that Catholic friendships can push you to become the saint that God created you to be.
By following these suggestions, you can expand your social circle and deepen your connection with other Catholics, fostering a sense of community and mutual support in your faith journey.
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Respond to life's invitation
Responding to life's invitation is about answering God's call and choosing to undertake a particular form of life out of love for Him. This involves a profound commitment to following God's call and requires thoughtful effort and care to understand that calling.
To respond to life's invitation, one must first be open to receiving it. This involves cultivating deep self-awareness and a solid understanding of one's own personality, strengths, weaknesses, inclinations, spirituality, mental abilities, and even physical health. It is also important to have a strong relationship with God, through prayer and devotion, and to be familiar with the different vocations and what they entail.
Ask yourself: "What would I really like to do?", "What am I good at doing or learning?", and "What opportunity is life offering me, right now, for doing what makes me come joyfully alive?". By starting with these basic questions, you can begin to explore your unique gifts and calling in life.
Responding to life's invitation is not a passive activity, and it requires courage and trust in God. It is a journey of continuous growth and development, and by embracing this process, Catholics believe they can find deeper meaning and purpose in life, contributing to the betterment of the world and fulfilling their God-given potential.
Finally, remember that your vocation is not just about you. It is about discovering how your life can be a gift to others and contribute to the building of God's kingdom. By responding to life's invitation with love and a sense of mutual belonging, you will find joy and fulfilment on your unique path.
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Frequently asked questions
The term 'tocation' is derived from the Latin 'vocare', meaning 'to call'. In a Catholic context, it refers to a calling from God that guides an individual toward a life of fulfilment and purpose. It is not limited to ordained ministry or religious life but encompasses every aspect of life, including work, family, relationships, and service to others.
There are several ways to discern your vocation. Firstly, it is important to understand that a vocation is not primarily about doing but about being. Rather than asking, "Lord, what do you want me to do?", ask, "Lord, who do you want me to be?". Deepen your relationship with God through prayer, meditation, and reflection, and ask Him to reveal your unique gifts and calling. Understand that vocational discernment is a journey that takes time and requires thoughtful effort and care. Seek guidance from the Church, a priest, or a trusted spiritual director.
God calls us to a particular form of life out of His love for us. This call is often accompanied by a sense of excitement and wonder, and a desire to answer His call with a yes. You may feel a mysterious attraction to a certain path, such as the priesthood, and this could be an indication of God's calling. However, it is important to remember that every vocation is a mystery, and the specific path may look different for each person.
To prepare yourself to answer God's call, develop deep self-awareness by understanding your personality, strengths, weaknesses, inclinations, spirituality, mental abilities, and even physical health. Cultivate a solid understanding and love for the Catholic faith. Familiarise yourself with different vocations and the lives of those who embrace them. Connect with other Catholics and learn about their experiences and how they found their unique calling. Remember that your vocation is a lifelong journey of continuous growth and development as you learn more about yourself and God's will for your life.
