WHAT IS A VOCATION?
The word ‘vocation’ is derived from the Latin verb vocare, meaning ‘to call’. It is a reminder that God has called us to “go and bear fruit” by the living sacrifice of our lives (C.f. John 15:16; Romans 12:1).
Prior to any particular condition or state of life, all Christians have been called by God to be holy as He is holy (1 Pet. 1:16). We find this holiness principally in the “perfection of charity” (CCC n.2013). In short, we have all been called to become saints by the grace of Christ. This calling is not easy and requires we make use of the strength given us by Christ to do the Father's will in all things. It is only in devoting ourselves to the glory of God and service to our neighbour that the fullness of Christian life is found (C.f. Lumen Gentium, 40).
A CALL TO LOVE
God is love (1 John 4:16). Since we have been called to become like God (1 John 3:2) we have been called to love. The goal of the Christian life can be expressed with the two great precepts; the love of God and the love of neighbour as oneself (Mark 12:30-31).
The common vocation of all the faithful is, therefore, the call to love. The church recognises two specific ways that God calls His children to realise this fundamental vocation to love; marriage and virginity or celibacy (Familiaris Consortio, 1). These two states of life have been instituted by God, help us realise that deeper calling to love, and are ordered towards upbuilding the Kingdom of God in the world.
Love is therefore the fundamental and innate vocation of every human being.
- Familiaris Consortio, 11
Marriage and consecrated celibacy (lived within the priesthood and consecrated life) are states of life lived within the broader life and mission of the Church and are ordered towards our common vocation to holiness. When we respond to God’s calling, we become a gift of self to Him and to others. It is in a faithful fiat to the Lord that we also find our deepest joy (Acts 20:35).
HOW TO DISCERN A VOCATION
God has a plan for all of us. This plan is better than any we could imagine for ourselves. One part of His plan may include a call to marriage, priesthood, or consecrated life. These vocations lead a person to serve by taking up a special role in the Body of Christ and modify the way they relate to God and neighbour.
The process of discerning one’s vocation requires practice in the Christian life. A strong prayer and sacramental life, familiarity with the Scriptures, good habits in Christian virtue, etc. are all essential to help a person to discern well. Forming a good and holy disposition also provides an important foundation for discernment. Saint Ignatius of Loyola encourages those discerning to pray for this disposition using a preparatory prayer, “to ask grace of God our Lord that all my intentions, actions, and operations be purely directed to the service and praise of His Divine Majesty” (Spiritual Exercises, n.46).
As a vocation is directed towards life with the Church, the same Church will also play a role in a vocational calling.
Soon after his election, Pope Leo XIV offered words of encouragement to young people discerning a vocation in the heart of the Church - "Do not be afraid! Accept the invitation of the Church and of Christ the Lord!" A vocation is, therefore, not just a calling from God, but also an invitation of the Church. Jesus, for example, asks all of us to pray “the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matt 9:38). The Church will play a role in the discernment of a person’s vocation. A spiritual director and the Director of Vocations are examples of people appointed by the Church to help a person recognise God’s plan and assist them in making a free response.