Vocation
Vocation
03/27/2011 16:11
The Call!
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We know the word “vocation” has Latin roots and simply means “call”. Today, many use the word “vocation” in the plural as if there are many different calls with all being equal. However, Catholics should know that there is really only one “call” and it is to holiness. How that vocation is lived out may take several different paths and those paths are not all the same and are not all equal. The “call” is always the same and for some it will follow the path of priesthood or consecrated life. This particular path is very different from the path of marriage and it should not be viewed as a “choice” between equals -- the two are not the same path and are not equal.
Maybe this is one of the areas in which we are missing the mark -- we are busy with “programs” that cater to the “choice” generation -- programs that focus on helping young men and women make choices about their “path” in life. Yet, such “choices” must flow out of a life of holiness, out of a life of prayer and discernment.
A prayerful young person being reared in a well formed domestic church does not feel the burden of making a life “choice” because a prayerful and holy person remains close to God and is capable of discerning God’s Will. To follow the path of religious life or priesthood will require a person to completely focus on God. To believe we can make such life “choices” on our own is part of the reason our seminaries and convents are now empty. Only God knows the future and ONLY He can guide a person along the right path. Only God provides the grace necessary to live the Spousal commitment a religious path demands.
There are many efforts and programs in place to help young people discern God’s will and to hopefully understand that the path of priesthood and religious life is one initiated and sustained by God. Our diocesan vocation office is putting together some videos which will hopefully answer some questions. Feel free to take a look or join the youtube channel they have established:
Getting the Message out there! Subscribe today...
We know the word “vocation” has Latin roots and simply means “call”. Today, many use the word “vocation” in the plural as if there are many different calls with all being equal. However, Catholics should know that there is really only one “call” and it is to holiness. How that vocation is lived out may take several different paths and those paths are not all the same and are not all equal. The “call” is always the same and for some it will follow the path of priesthood or consecrated life. This particular path is very different from the path of marriage and it should not be viewed as a “choice” between equals -- the two are not the same path and are not equal.
Maybe this is one of the areas in which we are missing the mark -- we are busy with “programs” that cater to the “choice” generation -- programs that focus on helping young men and women make choices about their “path” in life. Yet, such “choices” must flow out of a life of holiness, out of a life of prayer and discernment.
A prayerful young person being reared in a well formed domestic church does not feel the burden of making a life “choice” because a prayerful and holy person remains close to God and is capable of discerning God’s Will. To follow the path of religious life or priesthood will require a person to completely focus on God. To believe we can make such life “choices” on our own is part of the reason our seminaries and convents are now empty. Only God knows the future and ONLY He can guide a person along the right path. Only God provides the grace necessary to live the Spousal commitment a religious path demands.
There are many efforts and programs in place to help young people discern God’s will and to hopefully understand that the path of priesthood and religious life is one initiated and sustained by God. Our diocesan vocation office is putting together some videos which will hopefully answer some questions. Feel free to take a look or join the youtube channel they have established:
Catholic Convenience
03/26/2011 09:23
Schedules...
It seems the remnant Catholics have come to expect schedules of convenience. Years ago, there were plenty of priests available to say Mass and hear Confessions. For the most part, parish schedules reflected that number. Going to Mass in the local Catholic Church was convenient as there were plenty of Masses scheduled each Sunday from which to choose.
Today, the number of priests continue to dwindle yet many expect the Sacramental schedules to remain the same. Has anyone noticed how empty the seminary is? In the Diocese of Rockville Centre, there are 1.5 million Catholics, 134 parishes, and currently only 12 seminarians. In a few short years, even our densely populated areas may have one “homegrown” priest serving two or three parishes. In addition, as the population continues to change, many who were born in this country may have to attend Mass in another language or accept having priests say Mass who are not native English speakers. This is simply the reality we currently face.
It seems the remnant Catholics have come to expect schedules of convenience. Years ago, there were plenty of priests available to say Mass and hear Confessions. For the most part, parish schedules reflected that number. Going to Mass in the local Catholic Church was convenient as there were plenty of Masses scheduled each Sunday from which to choose.
Today, the number of priests continue to dwindle yet many expect the Sacramental schedules to remain the same. Has anyone noticed how empty the seminary is? In the Diocese of Rockville Centre, there are 1.5 million Catholics, 134 parishes, and currently only 12 seminarians. In a few short years, even our densely populated areas may have one “homegrown” priest serving two or three parishes. In addition, as the population continues to change, many who were born in this country may have to attend Mass in another language or accept having priests say Mass who are not native English speakers. This is simply the reality we currently face.