The call of expectation

[DL82]

I mentioned this in another thread, but think it probably needs a discussion of its’ own.

Probably the main force exerting a ‘call’ to religious life in my life is the sense that it’s what you do when you want to completely serve the Lord. Or, put differently, it’s what’s expected when you’re a single guy in your late 20’s who goes to daily Mass and rosary and is actively involved in parish life.

I know the Church has been trying to stress the equality of the role of the laity in recent years, but the dominant image in Christifideles Laici, of the workers at the 11th hour - “you also go into my vineyard” - suggests that they are a bit of an after-thought. I still get the feeling as a lay person I’d still be second best.

This is compounded by my highly traditional view of my professional field (academic study in religious education), which seems like a field that would traditionally have been a clerical one, even if I can hardly think of a single priest who has been influential in my academic field since World War II. As an academic in the UK, I probably wouldn’t earn enough to support a large family on a single income, and I am quite a traditionalist about marriage too. I know many academics who are married to others in academia, but I can’t imagine that being me.

At the same time, if I follow this argument to its logical conclusion, it suggests that there is no need for young lay people to be devout, or no role for devout people to be married lay folks working in the world. Clearly that’s not what I think.

A related issue is the call of desperation - the idea that there is a ‘vocations crisis’ in the Church, i.e. that there are few people listening to the call. Since I’m someone who takes the Church seriously, maybe I should just forget self and go fill this gap. After all, if you undertake the Sacrament of Holy Orders, you do, from that point on, have a vocation to the priesthood, regardless of whether you did before, because the sacrament accomplishes what it signifies.

So, I’m asking, has anyone else had cause to wonder whether they have a vocation solely on the basis that they’re one of the few young, single people who take their faith seriously?

 

[the_phoenix]

Who cares what society, on its own, expects you to do?
What do you believe is God’s Will for your life?

 

[DL82]

Who cares what society, on its own, expects you to do?
What do you believe is God’s Will for your life?

Thing is, I’m not talking about ‘society’, I’m talking about the Church, not the Magisterium of the Church, but the sensus fidei, the Church operating through the voice of ordinary faithful Catholics.

It’s not about God’s Will for my individual life, that’s a very modernist/protestant way to view life, an individual call for an individual life. It seems to me that a lost art in discernment is to look to the needs of the whole Body of Christ first, and place myself in the best place to benefit His Church the most.

Of course, that’s a very counter-cultural approach, and one I can talk about but find very painful to actually live out. I mean, there’s a reason the individualist, autonomous approach has become so dominant over the community-focussed approaches of the past, but Holy Church is still our mother, and she still comes first, no matter the cost.

 

[skallal]

Hey DL,

I agree with you and B16 that “the Church and the world need a new generation of apostles rooted in Christ’s Word, able to respond to the challenges of our time, and ready to spread the Gospel far and wide…” I also agree with Trent’s dogmatic teaching that the consecrated life is superior to marriage. I even agree that “the world’s great hunger” is a part of your vocation… so is your deep desire.

In that sense, I agree with the phoenix: What is your deep desire? What makes you come alive? What kind of man do you want to be? Because what the world needs is *you *fully alive. I would say that your vocation lies at the intersection of your gifts, your passion, and the world’s deep hunger. May you find this point of meeting and live it to the full… all the way to glory…

 

[Hidden_One]

It’s not about God’s Will for my individual life, that’s a very modernist/protestant way to view life, an individual call for an individual life.

I would like to see you expound upon this idea.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Thing is, I’m not talking about ‘society’, I’m talking about the Church, not the Magisterium of the Church, but the sensus fidei, the Church operating through the voice of ordinary faithful Catholics.

The Call comes from the Church, the Magisterial Church, not the sensus fidelium.

This is very important to remember.

There are certain requirements and conditions to receive the Call.

 

[Hidden_One]

There are certain requirements and conditions to receive the Call.

Might it be beneficial (particularly for lurkers) for you to briefly explain these, ByzCath?

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Might it be beneficial (particularly for lurkers) for you to briefly explain these, ByzCath?

Requirements vary with religious order/community and diocese but most of them revolve around being debt free and that the applicant take and pass a psychological exam as well as a medical exam of some sort (this may be nothing more than a letter from your current physician).

Also educational requirements, such as having a bachelors degree. Then if one is going for the priesthood there is the additional requirements for the major seminary but most religious orders/communities and dioceses will work with a candidate to get these after they are accepted if they do not have them before they enter.

There are also ministerial things that are looked at like do you volunteer in your parish and what is it that you do.

There will be multiple letters of recommendation from friends, co-workers, and your pastor.

So if you do not volunteer in your parish and or you pastor does not know you or has issues with you, you might not make it too far.

 

[RedSoxFan]

Thing is, I’m not talking about ‘society’, I’m talking about the Church, not the Magisterium of the Church, but the sensus fidei, the Church operating through the voice of ordinary faithful Catholics.

It’s not about God’s Will for my individual life, that’s a very modernist/protestant way to view life, an individual call for an individual life. It seems to me that a lost art in discernment is to look to the needs of the whole Body of Christ first, and place myself in the best place to benefit His Church the most.

Of course, that’s a very counter-cultural approach, and one I can talk about but find very painful to actually live out. I mean, there’s a reason the individualist, autonomous approach has become so dominant over the community-focussed approaches of the past, but Holy Church is still our mother, and she still comes first, no matter the cost.

Sounds to me like you have your answer in your response. I would start the process of looking into vocations with your diocese and research any orders you might think of joining.

If you are not right for the job one way or another you will find out.

Though I think what you are looking for is someone to tell you to get off your butt and go to seminary. So here you go.

“Get off your butt slacker and go to the seminary!..NOW!”