ST MARY S THE MOUNT 2016/2017 COME AND SEE PROGRAMME TOPIC VOCATION

ST MARY S THE MOUNT 2016/2017 COME AND SEE PROGRAMME TOPIC VOCATION

THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY MOTHER OF VOCATIONS

INTRODUCTION WHAT IS VOCATION WHAT IS MY VOCATION HOW CAN I DISCERN MY VOCATION CAN IT CHANGE HOW IS VOCATION RELATED TO JOB WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF VOCATION VOCATION TO THE RELIGIOUS LIFE

WHAT IS VOCATION? ANY IDEAS?

WHAT IS VOCATION? VOCATION AN ENGLISH WORD COMES FROM THE LATIN VOCARE WHICH MEANS CALLING SO, IN THE SIMPLEST TERM, VOCATION MEANS A CALL THOUGH NOT AN ORDINARY CALL.

IN GENERAL TERMS, A PERSONAL VOCATION IS WHAT GOD CALLS YOU TO DO WITH YOUR LIFE.

The fundamental vocation is the call to be baptised or for someone baptised as a child, the call to affirm that baptism personally. To be baptised is to accept Christ s call to follow him in a new way of life.

This is the way of holiness. It involves loving attention to the needs of others and to Christ, strengthened by the Holy Spirit and living as an active member of the body of Christ The Church. According to Church Fathers, Holiness is the universal vocation of every person. It is the main road unto which other types of vocation are opened up.

VOCATION VS PROFESSION/JOB/CAREER ONES VOCATION IS DIFFERENT FROM ONES CAREER/PROFESSION ALTHOUGH THERE IS AN OVERLAP BETWEEN THE TWO.

PROFESSION/CAREER A CAREER/PROFESSION IS SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE IN ORDER TO SUPPORT YOURSELF AND TO CONTRIBUTE IN SOME WAY TO THE GOOD OF THE SOCIETY. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BELIEVE IN GOD TO CHOOSE IT. YOU CAN ALSO PICK AND CHOOSE IT DEPENDING ON YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES. IT ALWAYS HAS A HORIZONTAL DIMENSION.

VOCATION WHEN WE TALK ABOUT VOCATION, WE INTRODUCE GOD IN OUR LIVES. IT IS NO LONGER WHAT I PREFER BUT, WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO BE? A VOCATION IS NOT SOMETHING YOU CAN CHANGE OR SWITCH LIKE A CAREER/PROFESSION.

HOW CAN I DISCERN MY VOCATION? GOD GIVES EACH ONE OF US A PARTICULAR MISSION IN LIFE. AS WE GROW AND PROGRESS, GOD MAKES IT KNOWN TO US USUALLY IN INDIRECT WAYS MORE AS AN INVITATION NOT IMPOSSITION.

WHEN TALKING ABOUT DISCOVERING ONES VOCATION, DISCERNMENT MEANS THE PROCESS OF THAT DISCOVERY THROUGH PRAYER, REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION (AS TO HOW GOD CALLS EACH PERSON TO LOVE HIM).

DISCOVERING AND FOLLOWING ONES VOCATION GIVES THE GREATEST GLORY AND PRAISE TO GOD FOR THIS IS WHAT WE ARE MEANT TO DO. GOD REVEALS HIS WILL GRADUALLY. HOWEVER, WE CAN SOMETIMES MAKE MISTAKE AND EVEN SAY NO TO GOD.

FORTUNATELY, GOD ALWAYS TAKES US WHERE WE ARE AND SO OUR CONCERN SHOULD BE ONLY, WHERE DOES HE WANT ME TO GO FROM HERE AND NOT ANGUISH OVER THE PAST. GOD IS ALWAYS WITH US AS LONG AS WE KEEP CLOSE TO HIM THROUGH PRAYER AND DO OUR BEST TO LIVE UP TO HIS WILL IN THE PRESENT MOMENT.

TYPES OF VOCATION AS WE OUTLINED FROM VOCATION, WE NOW KNOW THAT, VOCATION IS A LIFE CALLING FROM GOD. THERE ARE FOUR MAIN VOCATIONS RECORGNISED BY THE CATHOLIC CHURCH HOLY ORDERS, CONSECRATED LIFE, MARRIAGE AND SINGLE LIFE.

HOLY ORDERS THIS IS THE SACRAMENT OF APOSTOLIC MINISTERY CONFERRED ON MEN WHICH MARKS THEM WITH AN INDELIBLE SPIRITUAL CHARACTER (AS WITH BAPTISM AND CONFIRMATION) WHICH CANNOT BE REMOVED. THERE ARE 3 LEVELS

PERMANENT DEACON A DEGREE OF THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS AFTER BISHOP AND PRIEST THE PERMANENT DEACON IS ORDAINED FOR MINISTRY BUT NOT TO THE PRIESTHOOD. HE ASSISTS AND PREACHES AT MASS BAPTIZES AND PRESIDES AT WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS

THEY HAVE JOBS OUTSIDE THE CHURCH TO MAKE A LIVING CONFERRED ON MEN AT LEAST 35YRS OF AGE, MARRIED/SINGLE MAY BE ORDAINED PERMANENT DEACON

TRANSITIONAL DEACON CONFERRED ON MEN WHO ARE CALLED TO THE PRIESTHOOD IN THE FINAL STAGE OF FORMATION BEFORE BEING ORDAINED AS PRIESTS THEY USUALLY SERVE FOR 1YR AS DEACONS BEFORE ORDINATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD DURING THEIR YR AS DEACON, THEY CONTINUE THEIR STUDIES AND SERVE IN PARISH ASSIGNMENTS

PRESBYTERATE (PRIESTHOOD) A CATHOLIC PRIEST IS A MALE ORDAINED MINISTER OF THE CHURCH CO-WORKERS OF THE BISHOP BECAUSE THEY GIVE THEIR LIVES IN TOTAL SERVICE TO THE CHURCH, PRIESTS EMBRACE THE GIFT OF CELEBACY AND COMMIT TO A LIFE OF PRAYER.

THEY PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS, TEACH THE CATHOLIC FAITH, MINISTER THE SACRAMENTS, WORK TO BUILD UP THEIR LOCAL FAITH COMMUNITY AND LEAD THEM IN DIVINE WORSHIP ESPECIALLY MASS. MOST PRIESTS WILL MINISTER IN A PARISH SETTING LIKE OURS

OTHERS MAY SERVE AS CHAPLAINS TO UNIVERSITIES, HOSPITALS, PRISONS, THE ARMED FORCES AND OTHER INDUSTRIES.

DIOCESAN PRIESTS ARE CALLED TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF A PARTICULAR DIOCESE PRIESTS CALLED IN RELIGIOUS ORDERS BELONG TO COMMUNITIES AND IN ADDITION TO RECEIVING THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS, ALSO TAKES VOWS OF POVERTY, CHASTITY AND OBEDIENCE (THE THREE EVANGELICAL COUNSELS)

EPISCOPACY (BISHOPS) THIS IS THE FULLNESS OF HOLY ORDERS TRANSMITERS OF THE APOSTOLIC LINE CONFERRED ONLY ON MEN WHO ARE COMMITTED TO LIVING A CELIBATE LIFE (IN CATHOLIC CHURCH)

EPISCOPACY CONFERS THE OFFICE OF SANCTIFYING, TEACHING AND RULING THEY TAKE THE PLACE OF CHRIST HIMSELF AS TEACHER, SHEPHERD AND PRIEST AND THEY ACT AS CHRIST S REPRESENTATIVES.

MARRIED LIFE MARRIAGE IS A LIFE-LONG CONVENANTAL PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMAN IT IS RAISED TO THE DIGNITY OF SACRAMENT WHEN IT IS BETWEEN 2 BAPTISED PERSONS. SO, A MARRIED PERSON LIVES A VOW OF FAITHFUL LOVE TO A SPOUSE THROUGH THE SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE.

HUSBANDS AND WIVES SHARE A SELF- GIVING, LOVE-GIVING AND LIFE-GIVING RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR SPOUSE THEY ARE COMMITTED TO HELPING THEIR SPOUSE GROW TO HUMAN AND CHRISTAIN MATURITY.

MARRIED PERSONS SEEK TO FORM A FAMILY HOME TOGETHER THEY ARE THE FIRST TEACHERS OF THEIR CHILDREN IN CHRISTAIN FAITH AND VALUES. THEY MAY SERVE IN THEIR PARISH COMMUNITY IN A NUMBER OF WAYS

SINGLE LIFE THIS IS LIVED BY MEN AND WOMEN WHO RENOUNCED THE GREAT GOOD OF MARRIAGE TO FOLLOW CHRIST. A PERSON CALLED TO SINGLE LIFE COMES TO BELIEVE THAT REMAINING SINGLE IS THE TRUE AND RIGHT WAY TO FAITHFULLY LIVE HIS/HER BAPTISMAL CALL.

THEY EMBRACE THE GIFT OF CELIBACY WHILE LIVING ALONE, WITH A FAMILY OR WITH OTHERS WHO ARE SINGLE. THEY ARE ABLE TO DEVOTE TIME AND ENERGY IN SERVICE OF OTHERS. THEY MAY SERVE IN THEIR PARISH COMMUNITY IN A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT WAYS

CONSECRATED LIFE CONSECRATED PERSONS ARE LAY PERSONS OR CLERICS WHO ASSUME THE EVANGELICAL COUNSELS OF CHASTITY, POVERTY AND OBEDIENCE AND BECOME MEMBERS OF AN INSTITUTE OF CONSECRATED LIFE (CAN.573-2)

FORMS OF CONSECRATED LIFE FORMS OF CONSECRATED LIFE INCLUDE; RELIGIOUS LIFE SECULAR INSTITUTES SOCIETIES OF APOSTOLIC LIFE CONSECRATED VIRGINS

RELIGIOUS LIFE WAY OF LIFE OF PRIESTS, SISTERS AND BROTHERS LIVING IN COMMUNITIES THAT EMBRACE THE SPIRITUALITY, CHARISM AND TEACHINGS OF THE CONGREGATION S FOUNDER THEY FOLLOW JESUS THROUGH TAKING VOWS OF POVERTY, CHASTITY AND OBEDIENCE. THEY GROW IN HOLINESS THROUGH THEIR GIFT OF THEMSELVES TO GOD AND HIS PEOPLE

RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY THE FOUNDER/FOUNDRESS OF A RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY BRINGS TOGETHER A GROUP OF MEN/WOMEN WHO SHARE THE SAME CHARISM AND ARE DEDICATED TO THE SAME MISSION IN THE CHURCH. THESE ARE RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES OF PRIEST/BROTHERS AND SISTERS

THE APOSTOLATES OF THE COMMUNITIES VARY ACCORDING TO THEIR MISSION. THOSE DEDICATED PRIMARILY TO PRAYER ARE CONTEMPLATIVES THOSE WHO COMBINE PRAYER WITH APOSTOLIC MINISTRIES ARE CALLED ACTIVE COMMUNITIES. (SEMI CONTEMPLATIVES)

POSTULANCY THE FIRST FORMAL STAGE OF BECOMING A CONSECRATED RELIGIOUS IS CALLED POSTULANCY. THIS USUALLY TAKES ABOUT 6MONTHS TO A YEAR OR EVEN TWO YEARS IN SOME RELIGIOUS ORDERS

NOVITIATE THIS IS THE SECOND FORMAL STAGE OF BECOMING A CONSECRATED RELIGIOUS. THIS STAGE OF NOVITIATE USUSALLY TAKES ONE TO TWO YEARS.

SISTERS SISTERS BELONG TO RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES AND ARE BRIDES OF CHRIST WHO ARE CHOSEN BY HIM TO LOVE HIM AND SERVE HIS CHURCH LIKE HIS MOTHER MARY AS VIRGINS AND SPIRITUAL MOTHERS. THEY SERVE THE CHURCH IN WHATEVER WAYS THEIR SUPERIORS DECIDE IS BEST GIVEN THEIR TALENTS AND INCLINATIONS.

BROTHERS BROTHERS LIVE IN RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES THEY TAKE VOWS AND PROMISE TO USE THEIR TALENTS TO SERVE GOD WHEREVER THE COMMUNITY DECIDES THEY ARE NEEDED. BROTHERS ARE NOT ORDAINED.

NUNS NUNS ARE SISTERS AND BRIDES OF CHRIST WHO ARE CALLED BY HIM TO PRAY AND SERVE THE NEEDS OF THE CHURCH IN A MORE HIDDEN WAY. THEY LIVE IN CLOISTERED COMMUNITIES AND DO NOT LEAVE THEIR CONVENTS FOR ANY OUTSIDE APOSTOLATES.

Monks

Monks

VOWS FORMAL COMMITMENTS MADE TO GOD TO FOLLOW JESUS IN HIS POVERTY, CHASTITY AND OBEDIENCE AS MEMBERS OF RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES. BY THE VOW OF POVERTY, THE MEMBERS HOLD ALL THINGS IN COMMON.

THE COMMUNITY TAKES CARE OF EACH OTHER S NEEDS THROUGH PROVIDENCE OF GOD AND THEIR OWN CHARITY THE VOW OF CHASTITY MEANS THAT THE MEMBER GIVES UP THE GOODS OF MARRIAGE AND MARITAL RELATIONS FOR THE SAKE OF GOD S KINGDOM

THE VOW OF OBEDIENCE ALLOWS THE MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY TO IMTATE AND SHARE IN JESUS OBEDIENCE TO HIS FATHER IN ORDER TO ACCOMPLISH HIS WILL. DIOCESAN PRIESTS LIVE THE SPIRIT OF THE COUNSELS BY PROMISING TO LIVE IN CELIBATE CHASTITY AND OBEDIENCE TO THEIR BISHOP AND A SIMPLE LIFE

SECULAR INSTITUTES A secular institute is defined by the Code of Canon Law (710) as an institute of consecrated life in which the Christian faithful living in the world strive for the perfection of charity and work for the sanctification of the world especially from within.

MEMBERS OF SECULAR INSTITUTES ARE SINGLE MEN AND WOMEN AND ALSO SOME PRIESTS OBSERVE THE THREE EVANGELICAL COUNSELS BY MEANS OF A SACRED COMMITMENT MEMBERS DO NOT NECESSARILY LIVE TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY

THEIR GOAL IS TO BE A TRANSFORMING PRESENCE IN THE SOCEITY They have annual retreats/meetings. EG; Oblate missionaries of Mary Immaculate, Missionaries of the Kingship of Christ.

SOCIETIES OF APOSTOLIC LIFE A society of apostolic life is a group of men or women within the Catholic Church who have come together for a specific purpose. Unlike members of religious or secular institutes, members of apostolic societies do not make religious vows.

They strive for perfection of charity through the observance of their constitution. Their work differ from one another and include; teaching, preaching, healthcare, foreign mission, advocacy for justice and other spiritual and corporal work of mercy. EG; Oratorians, Daughters of Charity of St. Paul.

CONSECRATED VIRGINS In the Catholic Church, a consecrated virgin is a woman who has been consecrated by the church to a life of perpetual virginity in the service of God. Consecrated virgins are to spend their time in works of penance and mercy, in apostolic activity and in prayer, according to their state of life and spiritual gifts. Revived by pope Paul v1in 1970 (6-7000)

REMAINS IN A SECULAR STATE, PROVIDING THEIR OWN NEEDS CONSECRATED BY THE DIOCESAN BISHOP

Hermit Who is a hermit and what does it mean to be a hermit?

HERMITS PRACTICE A STRICTER WITHDRAWAL FROM THE WORLD, THE SILENCE OF SOLITUDE AND ASSIDUOUS PRAYER AND PENANCE PUBLICLY PROFESSES THE EVANGELICAL COUNSELS BY VOWS OR OTHER SACRED BOND MAY BELONG TO ANCIENT ORDERS, NEW INSTITUTE OR MAY BE DIRECTLY DEPENDENT ON THE BISHOP

Hermits A hermit is someone, either male or female, married or single, who has a calling to be alone with the Lord God. This calling is the same calling wherein some people become priests, doctors, teachers, farmers, computer technologists, electricians, carpenters, shoemakers and so on. If it is a genuine calling and not just a job, then the Lord God will establish the work of your hands meaning He will give you joy and fulfilment in your calling and you will grow and so will the work that you do, as will others with whom you have contact.

Hermits The life of a hermit is essentially one of being alone and at first it is not easy. It is not an excuse to cop out or drop out of society. A hermit s life is a state of being, that transcends the physical into the mystical and eventually transforms into a oneness with the Lord God. It does not mean that there is no interaction with society, in fact the opposite is the case, it just means that the Lord God has need of or use of hermits. Hermits are chosen from any age group, any gender and any sexual orientation

Hermits Hermits are intercessors, healers, and all have been given the wisdom of ages, which is a free gift given to anyone who asks it from the Lord God. Hermits can be married, divorced or single. Some may have children some may be living together. It is totally unimportant what sexuality the hermit is, because the Lord God looks at people differently.

Hermits Hermits are independent and come in all shapes and sizes and from all walks of life. They have been chosen to live the life of a hermit by the Lord God and thus have been singled out to be with Him and resistance is futile. Once He has a grip on a hermit there is no letting go. A hermit can be in a state of marriage. Notice the choice of words, because a hermit is actually part of the Lord God in a bond of love that is immensely powerful but so gentle and peaceful that nothing else is of any importance. To help achieve this divine euphoria or degree of contemplation and meditation or spiritual union, a hermit will live in an environment that is conducive to clear and full communication with the Lord God and that helps to establish it.

Hermits The hermitic life and the call to evangelize A hermit in prayer. (Photo: Hermits of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel) In living the life of a hermit, Brother Martin said he imitates Christ. In the hermitic life one retreats from the world, much like Christ did when he went off for 40 days in the desert to pray or when he went to lonely places to pray, he said. Some may wonder how the solitary life fits in with the call to evangelize. Believe it or not, said Brother Martin, Protestants seem to identify more with what we do intercessory prayer. We get a lot of Protestant visitors. They see it in the element of the praying Church. When people come they are evangelized by the place. When people come, they experience the beauty of nature, and Christian art.

Hermits As part of his or her Rule of Life a hermit should practise Lectio Divina. Lectio Divina means a lesson or lessons from God. Lectio Divina has four parts: Lectio (Reading Scripture), Meditatio (Reflection on the Word), Oratio (Praying), and Contemplatio (Silently listening to God) but more of that later. Each hermit is different. Each has their own way of living.

CONCLUSION WE LIVE OUT THE INVITATION TO BE HOLY DIFFERENTLY DEPENDING ON WHICH VOCATION WE HAVE CHOSEN. ALTHOUGH, THE LIFESTLYLE AND DEMANDS OF EACH PARTICULAR VOCATION IS VERY DIFFERENT, THERE ARE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THEM.

EACH VOCATION IS A COMMITMENT TO LOVE IN A CERTAIN WAY. THE OBJECT OF EVERY VOCATION IS GOD. IT IS NOT JUST BUILDING A BETTER SOCIETY, RENEWING THE CHURCH, HAVING A FAMILY, FULFILLING YOURSELF, HELPING PEOPLE OR CONFRONTING NEW CHALLENGES.

YES, ALL THESE THINGS MAY BE INVOLVED IN A VOCATION BUT, THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE IS TO LOVE GOD. ST. POPE JOHN PAUL 11 ONCE WROTE LOVE MAKES US SEEK WHAT IS GOOD; LOVE MAKES US BETTER PERSONS. IT IS LOVE THAT PROMPTS MEN AND WOMEN TO MARRY AND FORM A FAMILY, TO HAVE CHILDREN.

IT IS ALSO LOVE THAT PROMPTS OTHERS TO EMBRACE THE CONSECRATED LIFE OR BECOME PRIESTS. EACH VOCATION CHALLENGES US TO LIVE OUR FAITH MORE DEEPLY AND TO FOLLOW CHRIST MORE CLOSELY.

EACH VOCATION IF LIVED GENEROUSLY AND FAITHFULLY, WILL INVOLVE TIMES OF LASTING HAPPINESS AND REWARD BUT ALSO SUFFERING AND SACRIFICE. FINALLY, IT IS IMPORTANT NOT TO COMPARE THE VALUE OF DIFFERENT VOCATIONS BUT TO APPRECIATE THE VALUE OF EACH ONE AND DISCOVER WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR YOU.

THE END MAY GOD BLESS US ALL. AMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN.

DISCUSSION TIME

PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS DIVINE JESUS, SON OF THE ETERNAL FATHER AND MARY IMMACULATE, GRANT MANY OF THE FAITHFUL TRUE GENEROUSITY IN FOLLOWING YOUR CALL, AND BETOW ON THEM THE GRACE OF YOUR HOLY SPIRIT TO PERSEVERE IN OVER COMING ALL OBSTACLES TO THEIR VOCATIONS. GIVE THE CHURCH IN THIS DIOCESE AND THROUGHOUT

THE WORLD, MANY HOLY PRIESTS AND FERVENT RELIGIOUS. THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF THE MOST BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, ALL THE ANGELS, BLESSED JUSTIN AND ALL THE SAINTS, WE HUMBLY ASK YOU TO HEAR OUR PRAYERS AND MULTIPLY THE MINISTRIES BY WHICH WE MAY SERVE ONE ANOTHER IN FAITH AND LOVE. AMEN.

MOTHER OF VOCATIONS, PRAY FOR US.