Types of Vocations
The four vocations are like four lanes of a highway to heaven. Each one will get you there. The lane of married life is quite congested. The lane of single life is getting more crowded each year. The lanes of ordained ministry and religious life are getting more inquiries. In fact, the Church needs more people to choose these Church vocations. Each lifestyle reflects something of the mystery of Christ.
- Vowed Religious Life - Religious make a
public profession to follow Jesus and the Gospel. They make the
vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience to live like him and
dedicate themselves to calling others to Gospel values. Religious
belong to a community in which they share all of life. Through
prayer and service they strive to become holy and witness to the
Gospel values.
- Married Life - A couple's unconditional, exclusive,
everlasting love for each other reflects God's infinite love for us.
It also is a symbol of Christ's love for his Church. The love
between a man and woman is a sign of our ultimate union with God.
Through their love for each other and their love for their children,
married people show love for God and become holy. Their love
provides support for other Church members.
- Single Life - People who are committed to being single have
a good opportunity to love God and serve others. Their freedom from
obligations to family or community, their solitude and silence have
potential to enrich them personally and benefit humankind. Not being
committed to one person, they are free to love all, just as Jesus,
who was single, did.
- Ordained Life - Priests are men called by the Church to serve God's
people by acting in the person of Christ to build up and lead the
Church. They preach the Gospel, celebrate Holy Mass, and
provide pastoral care. As they carry on the ministry of Jesus,
they can develop their unique friendship with him.
- Deacons are men called by the Church to be living signs of the servant aspect of the Church, ordained to proclaim and live the Gospel. They administer the Sacraments in the parishes, assist at Mass, baptize, witness marriages, and preside at wakes and funerals. Deacons must be at least thirty-five years of age and may be married. However, if their wife dies, they may not remarry.