What is a Vocation?

“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you” (Jeremiah 1:5). 

First and foremost, a vocation is a gift from God. We do not create a vocation. We receive our vocation. God calls and offers us the gift of our vocation, and we choose to accept it or not. Just as we read in the prophet Jeremiah, the Lord, from all eternity has a plan for our lives. And His plan is what will bring us true and authentic happiness. How do we know our vocation? We ask the One who made us. Only in the silence of prayer to we come to know His plan and our vocation. Will we ask Him? What is stopping us from receiving the greatest gift of our lives?

Holiness: Our Common Vocation

First, it is important to understand that we all have one common vocation: holiness. For the Lord’s greatest gift is Himself. He gives himself and his salvation to us freely. If we choose to receive the gift of Him, and allow Him to live in us, we will become holy, complete, happy, healed, restored. All are called to holiness: “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matt 5:48).

How We Live it Out… 

Traditionally, there are three ways to live out this call to holiness:

First, as a married person. This is the most common way on earth. In marriage, husband and wife walk together, supporting one another and helping to bring one another and their children to heaven.

Married couples reach holiness by giving themselves to one another as a gift - a gift that is free, total, faithful, forever, and fruitful. By making themselves a gift to the other, and by living out faithfully their marriage vows, they bring one another and their children to heaven.  

Second, as a priest.

A priest is “another Christ.” Priests are God’s special gift to the world, for through them, Christ remains present among us. Priests are the way that Jesus continues to heal, forgive, and make himself present to us today. What an incredible gift are our priests! Through their hands we recieve the Body and Blood of our Jesus in the Eucharist; forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation; new life as children of God through Baptism; the power of the Holy Spirit through Confirmation; strength and grace for sickness and death through the annointing of the sick. How can we ever be grateful enough for the gift of the priesthood....

Third, the consecrated life: Nuns, monks, religious brothers, religious sisters, consecrated virgins, etc.

These men and women takes the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. They vow to live as Christ lived on earth: poor, chaste, and obedient. As well, they are meant to be a “sign of heaven” to all on earth, reminding us all of our eternal destiny. 

 This is only a small, tiny little sliver of what a vocation is and how to live it out. For more information, please see some of the resources below.


As well, please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or would like more information.

Fr. Peter: fatherzorjan@yahoo.com
Sr. Silvia: srsilvia@piercedhearts.org
Sr. Sara: srsara@piercedhearts.org

The following links provide articles that discuss more about vocations and define specific vocations within the Catholic Church, as well as provide other discernment resources....

Joyfully and Serenely: Booklet of 33 Questions on Religious Life

Catholic Diocese of Peoria Vocational Office

Feel called to the Religious Life? Take our brief exam....

More information on the Priesthood and Consecrated Life

"Be Not Afraid - to Seminarians" by Mother Adela Galindo

"To be Inflamed in Love for Christ" by Mother Adela Galindo