CAN WE CONSIDER OUR CAREER A VOCATION TOO?

I was in my vocation promotion journey when one of the students asked about the meaning of vocation. He said I have never heard that word before. What is that all about? This student seemed serious enough to ask and engage in exploring the meaning of it. I was moved by then. That for me this student was one of the million young people who search for more in their lives and yet have a very limited venue to reach them out and to accompany towards vocational enlightenment. 

This is the reason why I am encouraged to share my simple and humble understanding of Vocation here in the Canossian Page. I want to explore some important elements of vocation; however, this is not intended for those who have already advance knowledge about the matter.

By doing this, I hope that those young men who search for their calling may be helped.

To start with our exploration regarding vocation, I would like to start by defining vocation in a classical way. Let us start with the etymology of the word: vocation. The following definition is taken from the Wikipedia: A vocation (Latin: vocātiō "a call, summons"^[1]) is an occupation to which a person is specially drawn or for which he or she is suited, trained, or qualified. Though now often used in non-religious contexts, the meanings of the term originated in Christianity.

 

For Christian, specifically Catholic, the word VOCATION is associated with a divine call to service to the Church and humanity through particular vocational life commitments such as marriage to a particular person, consecration as a religious, ordination to priestly ministry in the Church and even a holy life as a single person. In the broader sense, Christian vocation includes the use of one's gifts in their profession, family life, church and civic commitments for the sake of the greater common good.(Wikipedia)

CAN WE CONSIDER OUR CAREER A VOCATION TOO?

Christian Vocation is different from a career, though sometimes they overlap. We confuse Vocation and career with regards to their character. Most of the people would say that to be a Religious, Priest, Married, or single blessedness is nothing but the same as a doctor, teacher, and etc. Now, it is good to give clarity on this matter.

The decision to dedicate one’s self to the service of God is a much different one than that of choosing a career. 

To choose a career is to select certain occupation. By doing it, it involves personal decision about education that is motivated by likes and dislikes. It includes in it the personal skills, favoured job position, the desired income levels, and the place of work that a person wants.  The person who chooses a career answers the fundamental question, “what shall I do with my life?” And, it is not necessary have faith.

The decision to dedicate one’s self to the service of God answers the important question in life, “What will I be?” By virtue of our baptism, everyone is called to live and be with God, whether single, clergy or religious, and married. Some offer themselves at the service of the Church and Humanity as a priest, consecrated religious and lay missionary. Vocational commitment entails personal faith. Indeed, it is a call to a state of being.  

CAN VOCATION AND CAREER BE TOGETHER?

                 

Yes, certainly. A priest or a sister can also be a teacher or doctor by profession. For the religious congregation, each institution has a specific charism such as taking care of the sick, teaching the poor and abandoned children, and so on and so forth. By their charism, the sisters or priests have their inclinations in connection to their Charism. They will make themselves enthusiastically involve in charity works where they can express their Spirituality and Charism at the service of the Church and humanity. Therefore, one person can be a priest and teacher or engineer at the same time.   

N.B. in my next page, I am going to tackle the different states of life... see you! God Bless!