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vocation

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Vocation

God calls each of us personally, out of love, to follow His great plan for our lives. We're called to have life and have it to the full. So...it's important that we spend a bit of time discerning and gathering information to see where He may be calling each of us.

The word "vocation" comes from the Latin vocare, meaning "to call". When Catholics talk about vocation we mean a life-long commitment to a particular state of life lived in the following ways: Married life, Single life, Religious Life (brother, sister, priest), Priesthood. Catholics believe that we each must make a life-long commitment to one form of vocation.

Fr Jacque Phillipe of the Beatitudes Community describes the need for a discernment 'climate'. If you want a seed to become a tree, you need to create the right climate - water, soil, sunlight and a bit of tender loving care. Discernment for a vocation is no different...we need a solid prayer life, a spiritual companion or guide, openness to the Spirit, self-awareness, a willingness to break through fears and of course, plenty of time and patience.

By yourself

Imagine yourself at the far end of your life and looking back. The choices that will give you the most gladness then are the choices that are right for you now. The way you choose to live your life is your repsonse to God’s call even if you are unaware of it. Knowing yourself and the place where you will respond to God’s call involves talking to God and knowing that you are heard; listening, being faithful, and being in tune with yourself. Sometimes we have to choose between options that are all good. When you come to a crossroads – when choosing one direction excludes other options – don’t get paralyzed by trying to keep all your options open! Freedom and piece of mind comes through decision and commitment.

Take some time to think of some decision you have made that you will be glad about at the end of your life.

(cf, Bishop Peter Cullinane, Who are you really?, 17, "Responding to God in your Life" )

With your friends

A vocation is not a single act, but a life-long process, a journey of faith - ‘All vocations are for the good of others’.
Take some time reflecting with those who know you best. If they’re a great friend they should be able to answer these questions when you ask:

   What is my best attribute?
   When do you think I am happiest?
   Who is a famous person I remind you of?
   Why do you choose to be my friend?
   In your mind how do you see me in 10 years time?

Use these questions as basis for looking into ways of ‘being for others’ for life!

With the Church

Connect with a religious order, or church movement, club or group in your area. Often these groups and orders have people that are expert in discernment. Working or hanging out with a religious order, priest or community like this is also a good change to see single, married, religious sisters & brothers and priests working together. These experiences enable you to see the gifts of each way of living out a vocation.

Of course the greatest way to discern your place in the community is to be part of the community! Participation in the life of the Church, in your parish, takes place with other people who are also pushing us along.

Someone who thinks they may be called to a certain way of life does not need to know straight away if they are suitable, because others will help you decide that. After all, a vocation is not just about what we want to do. It is a calling from God through the Church.

(cf Bishop Peter Cullinane, Who are you really? 30, "Particular Callings")

Recent Features

Need help discerning?

There are over 40 Religious orders in NZ...check them out!

Lay Movements & Mixed Communities with links in NZ are getting more numerous as we speak – find one near you.

Considering Priesthood in NZ? Check out the sites of the seminaries. Also, check out the Good Shepherd House in Christchurch, a pre-seminary experience for those considering priesthood.

Each Diocese has Marriage preparation courses and information – some have offices. Contact your Diocesan Centre. Catholic Engagement Encounter and the Archdiocesan Family Life Office are Wellington-based preparation courses and offices. Marriage Preparation is an Auckland-based site. The Diocese of Christchurch has this page for marriage preparation on its site.

Maybe you are looking – check out Catholic Matchmaker! The New Zealand-based worldwide Catholic venue to meet your match and make new friends

And if you want some online resources to help you with discernment, check out these sites belows...
Catholic Vocations Ministry Australia
Vocation.com
Vision Vocation Network - for those discerning religious vocations and the priesthood