"Do I have a religious vocation?"

Of course you do!  But it may or may not be to priesthood, the convent, monastery, or religious life.  Everyone has a vocation, a calling from God.  In one sense it is a universal calling - to wholeness, holiness, health, and fulfillment.  In another sense, your particular vocation in life is unique to you. 

Vocation:  A common calling with unique twists; Father Dics Sparks, C.S.P.

Everyone has a vocation.  A vocation is a call from God to be the person your are meant to be.

          The Church teaches that all the baptized are called to a particular vocation in their Christian lives.  A vocation is simply the state of life in which we are called to live out our baptismal call and promise.  Through baptism each person is called by God to become more like Jesus Christ- to share his life and love, to grow in knowledge and love of God, and to place our personal gifts and talents at the service of others.

          God's call is always an invitation to 'choose life' (Deuteronomy 30:19) God calls many to choose life in the vocation of marriage, some to choose life in the single vocation, and others to choose life in the vocations of consecrated or ordained life.  Within these, of course, there are innumerable ways to express our baptismal commitment which are suited to each person's gifts and talents.

          So how are you called?  Trying to discover what we should do with our lives is not an easy task. As Christians, we can glorify God in everything we do, but for each of us, there are vocations that are better for our salvation.  Discerning our vocation in life is important.  We come to know and appreciate the vocation to which God calls each person through prayer and reflection, and through speaking with others about our hopes and desires, our gifts and talents. In responding to God's call to each of us, we can experience what Jesus has promised 'I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full' (John 10:10).

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