WHat is a vocation?
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?
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...
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?
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...
Marriage
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.
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.
listen to Rick and Vanessa's journey to marriage... |
Hear from Derek & Lauren as they share how God revealed His plan... |
God Speaks to us...
“Wait until you are satisfied, fulfilled, and content with being loved by Me alone, with giving yourself totally, unreservedly to Me alone.
I love you, my child. But until you discover that only in Me is your satisfaction to be found, you will not be capable of the perfect human relationship that I have planned for you. You will never be united with another as you desire to be until you are united with Me, exclusive of anyone or anything else, exclusive of any other desires and belongings.
I want you to stop planning and stop wishing, and allow Me to give you the most thrilling plan that exists—one that you can’t imagine. I want you to have the very best. Please allow me to bring it to you.
Just keep your eyes on Me, expecting the greatest things.
Keep experiencing that satisfaction knowing that I AM.
Keep learning and listening to the things I tell you.
You must be patient.
Don’t be anxious.
Don’t worry.
Don’t look around at the things others have.
Don’t look at the things you think you want.
Just keep looking to Me, or you will miss what I want to give you.
And then, when you are ready, I will surprise you with a love far more wonderful than you could ever dream. You see, until you are ready, and until the one I have for you is ready…until you are both satisfied exclusively with Me and the life I have prepared for you, you won’t be able to experience the love that exemplifies your relationship with Me..and this is perfect love.”
-God
I love you, my child. But until you discover that only in Me is your satisfaction to be found, you will not be capable of the perfect human relationship that I have planned for you. You will never be united with another as you desire to be until you are united with Me, exclusive of anyone or anything else, exclusive of any other desires and belongings.
I want you to stop planning and stop wishing, and allow Me to give you the most thrilling plan that exists—one that you can’t imagine. I want you to have the very best. Please allow me to bring it to you.
Just keep your eyes on Me, expecting the greatest things.
Keep experiencing that satisfaction knowing that I AM.
Keep learning and listening to the things I tell you.
You must be patient.
Don’t be anxious.
Don’t worry.
Don’t look around at the things others have.
Don’t look at the things you think you want.
Just keep looking to Me, or you will miss what I want to give you.
And then, when you are ready, I will surprise you with a love far more wonderful than you could ever dream. You see, until you are ready, and until the one I have for you is ready…until you are both satisfied exclusively with Me and the life I have prepared for you, you won’t be able to experience the love that exemplifies your relationship with Me..and this is perfect love.”
-God
Priesthood
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 receive 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....
Catholic Diocese of Peoria Vocational Office and click here for more inspirational videos
"Be Not Afraid - to Seminarians" by Mother Adela Galindo, Foundress SCTJM
More information on the Priesthood
"To be Inflamed in Love for Christ" by Mother Adela Galindo, Foundress SCTJM
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 receive 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....
Catholic Diocese of Peoria Vocational Office and click here for more inspirational videos
"Be Not Afraid - to Seminarians" by Mother Adela Galindo, Foundress SCTJM
More information on the Priesthood
"To be Inflamed in Love for Christ" by Mother Adela Galindo, Foundress SCTJM
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Consecrated Life
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.
Sr. Silvia: srsilvia@stjpnc.org
Other helpful Resources:
Joyfully and Serenely: Booklet of 33 Questions on Religious Life
A Profound Gaze at Vocational Discernment Contemplating the Heart of St. John Paul II
Words from the Heart of Mother Adela Galindo, Foundress SCTJM
Feel called to the Religious Life? Take our brief exam....
More information on the Priesthood and Consecrated Life
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.
Sr. Silvia: srsilvia@stjpnc.org
Other helpful Resources:
Joyfully and Serenely: Booklet of 33 Questions on Religious Life
A Profound Gaze at Vocational Discernment Contemplating the Heart of St. John Paul II
Words from the Heart of Mother Adela Galindo, Foundress SCTJM
Feel called to the Religious Life? Take our brief exam....
More information on the Priesthood and Consecrated Life
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