Development of a Vocation

1. For more information or other vocations resources, please contact Graeme Munks, convenor of the Rosebank Parish PPC Vocations sub-committee, on 083 235 6813 or email abbot@iafrica.com

2. Parents’ driving desire for their children is to lead happy, fulfilled lives. When a son begins discerning the call to priesthood, it can be a confusing and uncertain time for both him and his parents. They know the joys they receive from a loving spouse and raising children and want their own children to experience those joys as well. It is hard to imagine living a life without these experiences because of a career choice. However, the priesthood cannot authentically be presented as just another “career option” because it is not. The priesthood is a call to a life radically opposed to many of the ideals held by secular culture where chastity, obedience and detachment from money are ridiculed and mocked. The priest though, by his life, proclaims to the world that something far greater than the rewards of today awaits us. In the end, the life to come is worth more than anything in this world. I don’t want my son to be lonely As a priest, your son will replace the comforts of a wife and family with a deeper relationship with God and a commitment to serving the community. He will have the support of his brethren and spiritual relationships with the members of his parish. His duties will be challenging and are extremely important to the people he serves. Each week, a priest enters the lives of dozens of his parishioners at their most vital moments: in the baptism of a newborn child, in the absolution of decades of previously unrepented sin, in the consecration and distribution of Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist, in the exchange of marital vows before God, in the anointing of the sick and in the funeral of a deceased member of the Church. Because he is “priest,” because he stands in the person of Jesus Christ, the priest is a central part of their lives in these precious occasions. In saying the prayers of the Daily Office and in celebrating daily Mass where Christ becomes truly present in the Holy Eucharist, the priest is in constant contact with our God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Will he be happy, fulfilled without a family? When God calls someone to a specific vocation such as the priesthood, it is up to that person to accept the call or not. God does not force, He only calls. But, as many priests will tell you, if the Lord wants a man to be a priest, it will be the happiest and most fulfilling life he could possibly lead. After all, God is the source of all joy and lasting fulfilment. We want him to be successful If you measure success by money, children, or other common goals to a secular life, then in your eyes your son will not be successful. If you measure success through your son’s eyes, his desire to answer the call and meet the challenges of leading a life in Christ and serving people to find the same, then you will be on the same page as he is and see the possibilities. The priesthood is an uncommon life and a few rare men are blessed with the calling and the skills to serve the Lord in this capacity. A priest holds an indispensable role. In the sacraments, Christ acts through his priests and provides the graces needed to reach heaven: it is the priest who gives absolution for sin; it is the priest who consecrates the Holy Eucharist; it is the priest who anoints the sick and dying. In short, it is the priest, standing in persona Christi, who prepares the soul for death and eternal life. The successes of a good priest echo through all of eternity, long after this earth has passed. We want Grandkids Grandchildren are a blessing, there is no denying that. And, entering the priesthood does mean that your son will not have any biological children. This is, undeniably, your sacrifice in supporting your son as a priest. Reflect, though, upon the powerful impact a dedicated priest has on the many people he meets, and upon the value of accepting God’s will in life, even when it may be difficult. A priest’s life is a life of sacrifice, because it is the life of our Lord. The parent of a priest will also make sacrifices in this life for the greater glory of the next, because their life is that of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Ask Mary to pray for you for wisdom and understanding, as your son discerns God’s will in his life. Family Life There are certain things that children must be taught in the family, for they will not get it anywhere else, especially in this day and age. The four Cardinal Virtues help to navigate the world: Prudence (making the right decisions), Strength (being able to do the right thing), Fortitude (doing the right thing when under stress) and Temperance (finding the path of life down the middle, avoiding extremes). These are balanced and expanded by the three Theological Virtues: Faith (trusting in Someone unseen), Hope (an orientation to a future life in Heaven) and Love (a willingness to die to ourselves to live closer to God). A person who embraces these teachings has a greater awareness of life, of the joys that come out of this life and how Christ ultimately leads us closer to Himself. Priests and religious do not fall out of the sky, they are born and raised in loving Christian families and parishes. Development of a Vocation A vocation must be nurtured and strengthened before it can flourish. How? 1. Silence: the world is so noisy, help your children find a comfort and ease in the quiet, for that is where God speaks to the heart. 2. Prayer: a conversation with God and an entrance into grace. Take your children to Adoration where Jesus can speak to them? 3. Listening: Prayer is not just asking God for something, and this takes a while to develop. It is a two way conversation, so if we are doing all of the talking, it isn’t really prayer. 4. Obedience: teaching your children that to follow your wishes is another way they show love to you, just as it is a way of our showing love to God, by embracing His commands. 5. Response: a vocation requires action, even when the path is not fully clear. If we sit back and wait for God to clearly outline every step we will ever take, we will never get anywhere! Implicit Modelling of a Vocation To promote vocations in the family starts very simply: by living out the faith at home. There are very simple ways to do this, including having a crucifix in the house and other religious images, praying together before meals and bedtime, celebrating the cycle of the Church year at home (seasons and feasts) and trusting God’s presence even in the rough times The faith of the family at home should be nurtured by events at the parish as well: eg. Participation at Mass, Lector, Eucharistic Minister, Usher, Choir, Singing and responding with the community, involvement in other aspects of the life of the Parish as well (Retreat programs, Adult Faith Formation, Parish socials). All of these aspects show that the faith is something that is important to you, and that you want your children to have it as well. Explicit Modelling of Vocation The specific seed of a vocation to the priesthood and religious life needs to be planted. Many little boys want to save the world. They want to be police officers and firemen. Why not give them the option of saving souls? That's the priesthood. And you have to give it to them before adolescence. If you do, then adolescence will be formed with this in the heart. Plant the seed of a vocation in the heart of your children before the cynicism of adolescents blocks it from growing. Help your children to realize that the Faith is not just a static thing, but is something that is active and alive. ~ The Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Johannesburg is Fr. Lionel Sham, at 011 402 6400 or email admincatholic@icon.co.za