Opinions of the nature of a vocation

[St.BJLabre]

I was just wondering how people see what a vocation is. I know a vocation is a call from God. But what exactly does that mean? Does it mean that God “stamps your forehead” so to speak when you are conceived with a vocation to either marriage, religious, or single. I find that a little difficult to believe. Isn’t it more true that there is but one vocation and many ways of living it out. Instead of stamping our foreheads God gives us each talents, gifts, and interests that would make us particularly suited for one of the vocations? Thanks for the (name removed by moderator)ut.

 

[JMJ_Theresa]

I’d have to add that our training as a child and our response to the need to grow in virtue are important. I read somewhere that God calls people who have been trained in orderliness and self-disciplined to live in a religious community.

Certainly, there are many Protestants who would make wonderful Catholic religious but will never live that vocation.

However, reading saint biographies, it seems obvious that some are strongly called to religious vocations. And other saints vigorously pursued religious life only to be told that their vocations were to Married life. I’m also thinking of the Blessed Virgin who was called to both virginity and married life. She had a very specific call.

Our dynamic associate pastor was a fallen away Catholic active in an evangelical college group when he heard an audible voice say, “Be a priest.” It blew him away. He is an awesome priest who will lead so many to Heaven. He has all ready inspired several men of our parish to enter seminary.

I guess my speculation on the topic would be…depends.

 

[St.BJLabre]

I would agree. It is easy to see that the more devout a family is and the more kids they have the more likely they are to have religious in their family. Some families most of their children become religious. I don’t think that means that God is calling kids from that family is disproportinate numbers… but i might be wrong

 

[Prometheum_x]

There is but one Vocation: to Love.

Marriage, Priesthood, Religious life – they are but particular manifestations of that one vocation.

One should concern themselves first and foremost with living out their vocation to Love, for if they are not doing that, then being married, a priest, or a religious is pointless.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

St.BJLabre:

I was just wondering how people see what a vocation is. I know a vocation is a call from God. But what exactly does that mean? Does it mean that God “stamps your forehead” so to speak when you are conceived with a vocation to either marriage, religious, or single. I find that a little difficult to believe. Isn’t it more true that there is but one vocation and many ways of living it out. Instead of stamping our foreheads God gives us each talents, gifts, and interests that would make us particularly suited for one of the vocations? Thanks for the (name removed by moderator)ut.

In my case, and that is all I can really speak to, I believe that it was layed upon me from the beginning.

 

[lvngembrs]

Speaking for myself alone, I’d say that a vocation arises out of the faith you have in God, your life experiences, and the compulsion you feel to sacrifice your life in God’s name for the betterment of His Church, and in thanksgiving for all your blessings. Perhaps you could view it this way: A friend recently told me that I have a strong faith, and upon reflection I’d have to say that I don’t. It is God who has a lot of faith in my ability to Love and serve Him and His Church. That might not clarify it at all for you?

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Speaking for myself alone, I’d say that a vocation arises out of the faith you have in God, your life experiences, and the compulsion you feel to sacrifice your life in God’s name for the betterment of His Church, and in thanksgiving for all your blessings. Perhaps you could view it this way: A friend recently told me that I have a strong faith, and upon reflection I’d have to say that I don’t. It is God who has a lot of faith in my ability to Love and serve Him and His Church. That might not clarify it at all for you?

I can see what you are saying here but it wasn’t this way with me.

From the earliest I can remember I felt a call to be something different yet I did not know God until I was much older. So in essence I felt a calling yet I did not know what this calling was. I just knew the things I did try did not fit what I felt called to.

Now I do know and I thank God daily for that. Now if I can make it though the formation.

 

[plato3]

A vocation will withstand the test of time. Our permanent deacon formation process runs 7-8 years. By the time a candidate gets to the final stage of asking the bishop for Ordination, he usually knows if he has a vocation.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

A vocation will withstand the test of time. Our permanent deacon formation process runs 7-8 years. By the time a candidate gets to the final stage of asking the bishop for Ordination, he usually knows if he has a vocation.

Ah…but… He will not know if he truely has a calling, a vocation, to the diaconate, until the bishop calls him to ordination.

That is something that I think has been lost today. We can think we have a calling but until we are actually called forward by the Church though the bishop (or religious superior) there is no calling no matter what we feel.