Our First Vocation: Holiness
- Holiness is life to the full and the complete joy that will bring our hearts to rest (see John 10:10, John 15:11, and Matthew 11:30).
- Part of answering this first calling to holiness is discerning our vocation – the particular way that God wants us to be holy.
- Priesthood, consecrated life, and marriage are three ways of following the Lord in holiness. From all eternity, God has planned one of these vocations for you: “I know well the plans I have for you… plans for your welfare, not for your woe, plans to give you a future full of hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).
Pray for Vocations
Another part of answering the first calling to holiness is praying for and promoting vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.
- Jesus felt compassion in His Sacred Heart when he saw that the crowds were like sheep without a shepherd, and then he told his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38).
- In a letter to the Church in America, St. John Paul II wrote, “The entire People of God is responsible for promoting vocations, and does so chiefly by persistent and humble prayer for vocations.”
Pray for Vocations
The first thing that the Lord tells us to do when seeking more shepherds is to ask the master of the harvest (Mt. 9:38). Only God can move the hearts of men and women to consider the priesthood and religious life—no homily, invitation, or other initiatives will bear fruit without His grace. Join hundreds of others in praying that young men and women hear and respond generously to the Lord’s call to the priesthood and religious life.
Learn to Discern
Vocational discernment is the diligent pursuit of knowing whether God is calling you to the priesthood, to consecrated life, or to marriage. The process of vocational discernment can be summarized in three steps: learn the basics, take a step, and follow God’s direction.
Discernment 180
Discernment 180 is a six-month guide to help you discern priesthood or the consecrated life. Somewhat like Exodus 90, Magnify 90, and similar programs, it outlines a rule of life and provides meditations for daily prayer to facilitate vocational discernment through the pursuit of holiness.
Vocations Chalice
The Parish Chalice for Vocation Ministry is a program for parishioners to take the chalice home to display it in a prominent place for the family to see as a reminder for prayer. At a special time each day, the family comes together to pray for answered calls for priests, deacons, brothers, sisters, marriages and lay ministers. To sign up to receive the chalice for a week, place your name and phone number on the sheet outside the glass doors into the church, call the Parish Office (254-773-4541).
O Father, you desire all of us to be happy.
Stir up the grace of a religious vocation in the hearts of many men and women.
Grant to them the willingness and generosity to give of themselves, their lives, their time and their talents to the service of Jesus Christ, Your Son, Our Lord and Savior, and to His Holy Church.
May more men and women go forth as priests, deacons, brothers and sisters to bring the truths of our Catholic faith to all others so that soon they, too, may know You better and love You more… and serving You, be truly happy.
Amen.
