Catholic Vocations
"Vocations are born in prayer and only in prayer can they persevere and bear fruit."
POPE FRANCIS
MARRIAGE
The vocation of marriage is the fulfilling of God’s plan for man and woman to ‘become one flesh’ in order to help each other grow in holiness, create a family and enrich the world. It is choosing a life-long spouse so you can give yourself fully in love, fruitfully in children, and faithfully in living out daily life together, sustained by the support of each other and the sacrament of marriage. If marriage is your vocation, discern this well by talking to married people, reading about the sacrament, and preparing well for your wedding day and life together.
PRIESTHOOD
Most people would see the ministry of priests in daily parish life: offering Mass; hearing confessions; visiting the sick; school ministry; counselling and many other things. However the priesthood is more than just ‘doing’ - it is also ‘being’. The priest brings the presence of Jesus to those he meets in ministry, socially and in daily life. The ministry of the priest is varied and depends on the need of the Diocese. Some priests serve in specialised ministries such as youth, vocations, social work, university or school chaplaincy, teaching, etc. - but most serve in parishes. It is the people of our parishes and the cities who need to hear the Good News of Jesus and hope for the future. The priest brings this in his life and work. The call to priesthood is one of the most rewarding that a man can do. If this is the Lord’s call for you, embrace the challenge and say ‘yes’.
RELIGIOUS LIFE
Religious sisters, brothers, and priests are those who seek to live their particular way of life (charism) in community (living with others) and seeking to live the Gospel demands by taking vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. While sisters, brothers, and religious priests have served in schools, hospitals and parishes in the past, today their ministries extend to various social works, hospital/prison chaplaincies, spiritual retreat directors, counsellors and to works in medicine, the arts, sciences and technologies. If you feel the call to religious life, you should want to offer everything to the Lord in sacrifice to follow Jesus in the footsteps of a saint or founder.
CONSECRATED LIFE
Consecrated lay people within the Church are called to offer themselves to the Lord while living in the world. They witness to Christian life by publicly taking vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, devoting themselves to prayer and service of the Church, and living in a stable state of life recognised by the Church. Consecrated life can take many forms: living in community (e.g., as a member of a secular institute), or living independently under the guidance of the diocesan bishop (e.g. virgins or widows/widowers, hermits). Consecrated laity differ from consecrated religious in that they live their lives in the ordinary conditions of the world, either alone or in families or fraternal groups. All are called, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to follow Christ more closely in the service of the kingdom of God and building up of the Church.
SINGLE LIFE
Perhaps you are not sure what vocation the Lord is calling you to yet. Perhaps you choose, by circumstance or situation, to remain in the single state of life. Try not to see this as just a place to ‘chill out’ and do nothing. Each Christian regardless of their state in life, is called through their Baptism to discipleship and to mission. If you are currently in the single state, this should be characterised by your service of others and your genuine seeking of holiness. Single people play a vital role in the life of the Church by offering themselves and their gifts at the service of others while seeking to live a holy life as an example to those around them.
Prayer for Vocations
Inspire our entire faith community, as we prayerfully discern new horizons for spreading joy in the lives and communities of the People of God.
Come Holy Spirit of Faith
Empower our community to be courageous. Unite your people as witnesses of love. Walk with us, as we blaze new trails of discipleship. Accompanying young people as we renew the Church together.
Come Holy Spirit of Youth
Fill the hearts of young people with the hope and love of Jesus Christ. Enliven our community with the creativity, energy and joy of youth. Guide us together, as we strive to offer God’s mercy to those who feel abandoned or outcast.
Come Holy Spirit of Vocation
Stir within young people an awareness of God’s call. Reveal to us the graces of young people. Guide us all, in finding our place and raising our voices to build a civilisation of love.