Vocations

“A Future Full of Hope” notes these characteristics of good priests: experience God’s love; view Jesus as a model for their behavior; are spiritual (including a love for the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Penance); possess a strong sense of the mysterious presence of God in their lives; enjoy challenges; thrive on change; manage their time; maintain their humor; keep a sense of balance. [From Grace Under Pressure, an NCEA study of effective priests ordained ten to thirty years.]

According to the National Religious Vocations Conference, the following are mentioned: generally good health; adequate intellectual ability; healthy relationships, including good friends; sense of humor; ability to make a positive choice for celibacy; member of the Catholic Church; faith and sense of integrity; relationship with God; responsiveness to others; capacity to serve a variety of people; leadership ability; collaborative worker; ability to live simply, sharing a common life; can compromise for the common good.

A religious order priest belongs to a religious community, such as the Franciscans, Dominicans, etc., who strive to live out the charism of their founder and often have a particular type of ministry, e.g., education, health care. They usually live in community and they take the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Diocesan priests, also called secular priests, are ordained for a local church, a geographical area, and generally serve in parishes, although they also assist in schools, hospitals, prisons, etc., depending upon the local needs. Although they do not take the three vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, diocesan priests do promise: to lead a celibate life; to respect and obey their diocesan bishop; and to live a simple lifestyle.

A deacon is an ordained minister of the Church who can preach, baptize, witness marriages, and preside at burials. There are two types of deacons: permanent deacons, who are often married and have another occupation to support themselves; and transitional deacons, who are studying for the priesthood. Deacons provide a sacramental witness to the Church in three areas: word (preaching, teaching, etc.); liturgy; and service.

Both are ordained, but a deacon is a sacramental sign of the service which all Christians are to offer to the world and a priest is to represent Christ as the head of the Church through the three-fold ministry to teach, sanctify and lead. In terms of the sacraments, both deacons and priests can preach, baptize, witness marriages and preside at burials; only priests can celebrate the Eucharist, Penance (confession) and anoint the sick.

The primary role is to provide an authentic witness to the importance of faith, prayer, and service to others. This includes teaching their children that all that one is and has comes from God, and that if we truly want to be happy, we will discover how God wants us to use the gifts we have received. Making their children aware of the nature of vocation, a “calling” from God, is a crucial first step. After that, it is a matter of inviting, raising the question with their children whether God might be calling them to be a priest, sister, or brother. Indirectly, attitudes and comments regarding the Church, priests, religious women and men, either foster or weaken the image of such a life of service.

The parish is where most people, especially young people, experience the Church, which includes worship, education, community, and service. Vocations thrive in a parish where there is active and full participation in these dimensions of Church life. In particular, it is important that Catholic education, in Catholic schools or religious education programs, clearly teach about what a vocation is (a calling from God), what types of vocations there are (marriage, priesthood, deaconate, consecrated life, and single life), and how one makes a good decision (the process of discernment). Beyond the general awareness of vocations, parents, priests and parishioners need to invite, encourage, and nurture vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.