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God is Calling Me? How? - “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path… on rocky ground… among thorns… But some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit.” - Matthew 13:3
 

God is Calling Me? How? - Focus on Mission::  God Calling Me? ... How? ::

 

by Fidelis Tracy, CDP

 

remember learning as a small child in religion class that God loves me and keeps creating me day by day. I am convinced each of us is gifted and called by God… but, HOW do we know we are following OUR call?

EVERYONE HAS A VOCATION

At the core of each person is a vocation. It is a call to becoming a living response to God’s love. “Call” is common to everyone, yet responding to God’s love is meant to be unique and particular for me. Knowing myself and being honest about my dreams and capabilities are the first steps in discovering how I am called to live out my vocation…

As I try to discover my calling, it is also important to remember that it is not a narrow plan that God is hiding from me. Being “relaxed” and trusting that God loves me will help me discern my call in a healthy way.
Then, we need to keep in mind that ministry is not for a chosen few but is mandated by our Baptism… There is a misconception that one becomes a member of a religious community in order to work in a parish, a school, as a missionary abroad…

VOCATION TO RELIGIOUS LIFE

Being honest about my dreams and capabilities is a first step in discovering my Call... Priests are called to stand by the people they serve… and celebrate with them

The call to Religious Life is always marked by a desire to serve God and God’s people, to care for the needy and to bring people to experience God in their lives. But, since ministry is a part of every vocation, service is NOT the distinguishing characteristic of a call to “consecrated life” as a member of a religious community. The uniqueness of this call is living the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience IN COMMUNITY. The essential service of the religious is to witness that each of us is called to treat things, persons and our own self with respect and as ultimately belonging to God.
At the heart of the call to religious life is a desire to give oneself in love to God in a way so total that the pursuit of union with God makes it impossible for anything or anyone to be more central.

COMMUNITY

Our culture is more supportive of consumerism, sexual gratification and independence than it is of chastity, detachment from material goods and interdependence. Community life is needed to support one who attempts to live values not prevalent in the culture. At the same time, community life is a challenge. We all know that it is difficult to “make room” for others in our lives…

Community itself is one of the greatest witness that religious and missionary life has to offer in a culture where self-interest and individualism can lead to isolation and violence.

THE CALL TO PRIESTHOOD

A vocation to the priesthood differs from a call to religious life. Some priests, however, are members of religious communities (Xaverian Missionaries, Dominicans, etc.), and so all of the above reflections on religious & community life apply to them.

Priests are ordained for ministry, which is at the heart of their vocation… MISSIONARY priests have a unique call to be Christ’s witness “to the ends of the earth.” Their mission takes them to serve among the poor, to build and foster new faith-communities, to work with non-Christians…

In addition to presiding at sacramental celebrations, priests have the responsibility of proclaiming the Gospel in ways that inspire AND challenge… BOTH the members of the Church and society...
A priest, then, lives close to the people he serves, knowing their triumphs and failures, their pains and joys, their values as well as their hopes and dreams… He stands by them… He celebrates with them.

— Fidelis Tracy, CDP —

 

Our Driving Force: Passion for the Gospel

A Word from Our Founder
Blessed Guido Maria Conforti

“The Love of Jesus Christ is your motivation for your missionary service. Today you stated why you are doing it: ‘The love of Christ impels us.’ The example of the One who gave Himself up completely for our sake is your inspiration: ‘He gave Himself up for us’ and this same person has left us a commandment to love our brothers and sisters in the same way He loved us: ‘As I loved you.’ 

How I hope that during your life you will tell us of the large number of people brought to the faith, of churches you build, of schools you have established, of hospitals, of homes, of kindergartens you have opened, of the many and varied projects which the Love of Christ will inspire you to become involved in.
It is for this purpose, and for this purpose alone that you are going to other lands.

You are NOT driven by a desire for fame, by greed to pile up wealth, by a fixation to visit other countries, or to encounter new people or become acquainted with different customs. ‘The Love of Christ impels us’: this is THE motivation of your life!  All your desires and goals are expressed in this one sentence.

Your aim must be to gain everybody for Christ with the power of persuasion and the lure of Love.” 

— Blessed G. Conforti —

Signs for Mission Life

 

 

Love of God that manifests itself in a desire to give one’s life in service to ALL God’s Peoples

Desire to live simply.

Ability to relate with different people, and in different cultures.

Joy in serving others, especially with the poor.

Ability to listen to and respect others.

Openness to adapt and to be flexible

Desire to grow in union with God: through prayer, community life AND service.

 

 

Nurture Your Vocation Call

Be faith-filled: pray and seek to deepen your relationship with God.

Be part of a faith-community: in a parish, on campus, with other youth, in a “vocation discernment group.”

Get involved in some type of service in your neighborhood.

Seek guidance from a mentor, a “spiritual director” or a “vocation director.”

Share your faith: with family, friends, in “Bible study groups”, etc.

Stay in touch: get to know priests, religious and missionaries. Interact with them. Ask them about their commitment.

 

Published - November 2001