Call to Vocations Begins in the Home - 1st Part

You couldn't ask for better role models of a religious vocation than Fr. O'Malley or Sister Mary Benedict, could you?

My DH and I both come from devout Catholic homes yet neither family had a member to answer the call to religious life. Well, actually, one of my sisters did and she was a Franciscan sister for about 13 years but a deep reflection and soul-searching showed her that this was not the vocation the God wanted for her.

How do these men and women know that they have a vocation to the priesthood or to religious life? What kind of homes turn out priests and nuns? This month issue of The Word Among Us covers that topic from a Lenten perspective. You will have to get the hard copy of the magazine because it is not currently available online.

First there is the article entitled "Follow Me: A Lenten Call to Parents and Kids Alike" by Louise Perrotta. This one plants the seed early in the life of a family.

Ms. Perrotta writes that we have more of a duty than simply "praying for vocations". We as individuals are called to do something for God on His behalf. For instance married people "have the mission of revealing Christ's love to the world in their relationship with their spouse". Single people "are called to a special closeness with the Lord that enables them to live chastely and generously for his kingdom. Children and young people still living at home are to imitate Jesus by honoring their parents and increasing 'in wisdom and in years' (Luke 2:52)"
Families also have a calling sometimes to do missionary work or work in their own communities by helping an elderly neighbor or family member, as one example.

She challenges us that this Lent we give our full attention to what God is calling each of as to do as individuals and as a family. We can start by asking God the following questions:

"Jesus, how are You calling me? Where do You want me to follow You right now? In the future? Am I doing what You want? Is it time to make a change."

Ms. Perrotta finishes up by telling the reader that "One thing is sure: In every family, in every heart, God is calling."

The following quote is by John Henry Newman:

All through our life, Christ is calling us. He calls us first in baptism, but afterwards also. Whether we obey His voice or not, He graciously calls us still--from grace to
grace, and from holiness to holiness..Christ is walking among us, and by his
hand, or eye, or voice, bidding us to follow Him.