Courtesy of Saint Meinrad Archabbey
“As one progresses along the path of discernment, a spiritual director is often necessary, especially if one is discerning priesthood or religious life.” Father Subprior Guerric DeBona, O.S.B. of the Benedictine Archabbey of Saint Meinrad speaks with a visitor.
edge God as the source of vocation, involve God in the decision-making process through prayer, and actively listen for God’s will.
2. Vocation is a two-way gift God really does want us to be happy. When it comes to a vocation we sometimes struggle to believe that. Perhaps we fear that God will ask us to do something we will hate. Maybe we think God’s will is a sentence to a dreadful life. On the contrary, in John’s gospel Christ says: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). But what will make us really happy? The Second Vatican Council teaches that it is through self-giving
VISION 2012
For more features go to VocationNetwork.org
Enter #061 at VocationMatch.com
that we are fulfilled as human beings. So vocation is not only something given to us, something we receive, it is also something we freely give to God and others.
3. God preserves our freedom Because vocation is something we give to God, it is important that we have the freedom to make this offering. God gives us real choices. We have the freedom to marry or enter religious life or remain single. We have the freedom to pursue this or that line of work. If we are not in a place in life where we are free to commit to a vocation (perhaps due to an immaturity, an undue fear, or an addiction), then we must increase
Enter #292 at VocationMatch.com
21
