The Call
All of us, by virtue of our baptism, are called by God to holiness. As members of the Christian community, we are asked to respond to that call according to our circumstances in life: our talents, our interests, our obligations, and so on.
" The faithful exercise their baptismal priesthood through their participation, each according to his own vocation, in Christ's mission as priest, prophet and king." (Catechism: 1546).
Most Christians fulfill their call to holiness through lay vocations.
"The majority of the Christian laity live out their vocation as followers and disciples of Christ in all spheres of life which we call 'the world': the family, the field of work, the local community and the like...It is in this way that they sanctify the world and collaborate in the realization of the kingdom of God." (Seventh Ordinary Assembly, October, 1987).
The vocation to marriage, and the establishment of the Christian home, where children first receive the faith, play a most important part in the building of the Christian society and the kingdom of God. Thus "this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament." (Catechism: 1601)
Although all the baptized faithful are called to holiness in their particular state of life, some respond to that call by serving Christ and his Church in the ministerial priesthood, in the religious life, or in the permanent diaconate.
Diocesan Priesthood
Some members of the ministerial priesthood are known as diocesan priests. Diocesan priests are formally attached to a particular diocese, and are obedient to its bishop. This relationship is known as 'incardination'. People are generally most familiar with diocesan priests, since they serve in the vast majority of parishes, offering the Sacrifice of the Mass, baptizing, hearing confessions, anointing the sick, preaching the Gospel, and witnessing marriages.
The "ministerial priesthood is at the service of the common priesthood" of the faithful (Catechism: 1547). The priest acts 'in persona Christi'; that is, he has the task of representing Christ before the assembly of the faithful, "above all when offering the Eucharistic sacrifice." (Catechism :1552)
Religious Orders: Priests, brothers and sisters
Other priests belong to religious orders--institutes of consecrated life--such as the Franciscans or the Jesuits, where they take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and promise to abide by the Rule of their particular order. Some work in parishes, others may lead a contemplative life, while others may have special apostolates, such as missionary work. Religious orders also include men known as 'brothers', who either do not intend to become priests, or who are preparing for ordination.
Religious orders also encompass communities of women, known as sisters or nuns, who likewise profess solemn vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Some of these sisters lead a contemplative life, centred mainly on prayer and sacrifice, while others engage in a variety of apostolates, such as teaching, nursing, caring for the aged, and so on.
"The religious state is thus one way of experiencing a more intimate consecration, rooted in Baptism and dedicated totally to God. In the consecrated life, Christ's faithful, moved by the Holy Spirit, propose to follow Christ more nearly; to give themselves to God who is loved above all and, pursuing the perfection of charity in the service of the Kingdom, to signify and proclaim in the Church the glory of the world to come." (Catechism: 916)
The Permanent Diaconate
The word 'diaconate' refers to the order of deacon. A permanent deacon, who receives Holy Orders, assists the priest and people in many ways, including preaching and administering the Sacraments of Baptism and Matrimony. The office is open to unmarried men 25 years of age and older, and married men 35 years and older. Preparation for the diaconate involves at least three years of study and formation.
Discernment
The process of discovering our calling is known as 'discernment'. When choosing any path in life, we must be aware, at the deepest level, of our own desires and interests, and have a clear understanding of what is involved in any way of life we might be considering.
Such a process requires us to explore and examine the many options open to us, both in the lay and the religious life. We must read, ask questions of ourselves and others, and in particular seek the counsel of those who are experiencing fulfillment in their chosen occupation. Above all, we must pray to God to assist and direct us in our deliberations.
Those considering the priestly or the religious life should speak with the Vocations Director of their diocese, or of a particular religious order, who will be most willing to assist them with the discernment process. Such assistance can range from visits and discussions with the Director and others, to opportunities to attend day or weekend vocation discernment retreats. |
