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!
