Every Christian person has the moral responsibility to discern his true vocation. This concept should be instilled into the Christian child from a very young age, as a vocation is a calling from God which will help provide the grace needed to attain the happiness of Heaven. The idea of a true vocation is a strong one which often confounds the Christian as he achieves adulthood. Questions of what a vocation is and how to discern that which is right for the soul can inundate the young adult. These questions are serious and must be answered properly. Because one’s vocation ultimately assists in the salvation of his soul, it is of vital importance that a person discerns rigorously under the guidance of spiritual director that calling of God which should direct his life.
When reaching the brink of adulthood, many fall right into the dating world. Although it might be safe to say that most people are called to the vocation of marriage, this is not true for all people. Before a young Christian makes a decision that cannot be dissolved, that is to contract a marriage, he should discern religious life first. As the call of the Church is the nobler calling, the Christian has the obligation to discern vocations of religion before attempting to discern vocations of marriage. Every person should strive for his vocation to be in line with the Will of Almighty God.
Before continuing with the discussion of a personal vocation, the word vocation must be defined and the common vocation must be acknowledged. A vocation is a call, a personal invitation from God to do His Will. In this way, a vocation is more than a job; it is the life and the defining factor of who a person is supposed to be. Vocations, because they are truly personal invitations from God and, when legitimately entered into, sources of grace, should be discerned rigorously and thoroughly. Although it is possible to reach heaven outside of one’s true vocation, it is extremely difficult. Let the man bemoan entering too quickly into the wrong vocation.
The common vocation of Christians is to the sainthood. God wants each of us to gain the happiness of Heaven. Living and following one’s true vocation and becoming a saint go hand in hand, as one lends to the other. The saints, those who are members of the Church Triumphant, are traditionally divided into four classes; these are: Bishop, Martyr, Virgin, and Confessor. One might notice that two of these classes actually also religious vocations as well. The common vocation of sainthood transcends every other purpose or calling a person might have in his life. A man might be the greatest doctor or lawyer in the world, but without the achievement of sainthood, it is all for not.
This common vocation to sainthood is also closely connected to the first shared vocation of all people. No one who is called to any particular vocation is born directly into that vocation. Instead, they are born into a state of single life where their only calling is to learn to know, love, and serve God. This state, as with every state, has charity and chastity as its center. Man is given ample opportunity when in this state to discern his true calling. This time should not be squandered on the cares of the world, but instead should be used to embrace that chastity which leads the soul to her God’s call.
As chastity is at the heart of every vocation, the words of St. Paul are important to note, as he stated, “I would that all men were even as myself; but every one hath his proper gift from God ... But I say to the unmarried and to the widows, it is good for them if they so continue, even as I.” Further on, St. Paul also states, “…And the unmarried woman and the virgin thinketh on the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit (1 Corinthians 7:7-8 and 32-35).” By remaining chaste in each individual vocation, Christians can truly imitate the example of the Blessed Virgin and countless other saints in heaven who gave witness to this importance. The saints provide a strong example for all Christians to follow, for they have encountered temptations and triumphed over concupiscence. The virgin martyrs provide a striking model as, even though often they were offered a way to live, they embraced death rather than leave the vocation God had called them to. The Church recognizes this heroism in the collect for the Common of the Virgin Martyrs as she thanks God for allowing the weaker sex to have the strength to endure such trials.
For many, remaining in a strict state of being single is not their ultimate calling. As a result, even from a young age, the Christian should seek out that which is his true vocation. This vocation is a matter of great discernment and should be discussed in spiritual direction. A good spiritual director will tell the Christian to discern those vocations which match his personality. By personality, it might be better stated as temperament and spirituality combined. The temperament of a person has a distinct impact on his true vocation. The spirituality of a person can help lead the person into the best situation for remaining in sanctifying grace. Because of the spiritual battle which rages on, finding one’s personal vocation is difficult in this fallen world. Receiving good spiritual direction is like going to the doctor and receiving proper care of body. Just as one must nourish his body well in order to be healthful, one should also nourish his soul. A good spiritual director is able to help the Christian see beyond the attractions of the world and come into a state of understanding for the Will of God.
There are four types of legitimate vocations within the Church: Priesthood, Matrimony, Religious or Consecrated Life, and Chaste Lay Single Life. St. Ignatius said, “Pray fervently to discern God's Will for your vocation to the married, single or religious life. Your happiness and that of others depends on it, both in this life and for all eternity.” In regards to the order of discerning, it is good for a person discerns first the higher vocations of priesthood, if he be a man, and religion. The calling of the Church is higher and nobler than marriage because when a person enters into such states in life, he offers to God every facet of his being. Holy Orders is the Sacrament by which men become priests and are given a sacred power (sacra potestas) to act in sacramental identification with Christ (i.e., to act in persona Christi) in order to perform the sacred duties given them by the Church.
For some, a religious vocation might be his true calling. It is religion in which knowing one’s spirituality becomes of most prominence. This is because there are many religious orders, each with unique charisms. There are three debated classes of orders: Contemplative, Missionaries, and Teachers. These individuals are called to a deeper life of prayer, fasting, and sacrifice. Some might be confined to a convent or monastery, while others have to live within the world. A religious vocation opens up a whole plethora of possibilities for the Christian to choose from. The prayers of the religious are like the nourishment for the Church, thus their significance cannot be understated.
Not everyone who is called to consecrated life is called to live in a religious community, some are called to be hermits and others to live within the world. One, male or female, can take vows of perpetual virginity or continence publicly before a bishop. If the discerning Christian is a woman, then she can be made hallowed to God as a consecrated virgin, just as our Blessed Mother was – this is a ceremony performed by a bishop, and it is the highest and most noble honor for women in the Church. This is a vocation primarily for women and there is not much information on it as it fell out of popular favor three centuries ago, although Pope Pius XII, of blessed memory, addressed this issue in his encyclical, Sacra Virginitas. St. Methodius stated, on behalf of these women, “You, yourself, O Christ, art my all. For you I keep myself chaste, and holding aloft my shining lamp, I run to meet you, my Spouse.”
Although Sacred Virginity is a beautiful calling, not everyone is call to living a life of celibacy. Marriage was instituted by God Himself in the beginning and elevated to a Sacrament by Jesus Christ in the New Covenant. Marriage is similar to Holy Orders in that once the Sacrament is received, it cannot be set aside; a valid sacramental marriage lasts until the death of one of the spouses. The primary purpose of marriage is the procreation and education children. The secondary purpose of marriage is the lawful remedy for concupiscence. Those entering into marriage must be ready to assist his spouse in the achievement of heaven.
Not everyone is called to the priesthood, religious or consecrated life, or matrimony. Some people are called to remain lay singles their entire lives. These people can make private vows of virginity or continence and they can join Religious Orders as tertiaries, as can every lay person. These people should regard their singleness as a gift, not a hindrance.
With the choices laid before him, the Christian should be careful as he discovers what his vocation truly is. Through the love and grace of the Church, means of proper discernment have been provided. The discerning Christian should employ these means as he readily finds his true calling. Sainthood is difficult enough to achieve, without the added burden of finding oneself in the wrong vocation.
