WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” Do you remember being asked this question as a child? Unlike many of my peers, my response was “I want to be a Sister.” I also wanted to be a teacher from the time I entered Kindergarten. But why a Sister? When my family gathered to celebrate my paternal grandparents’ 25th anniversary, my aunts joined the party in full habit. One as a Good Shepherd Sister and the other as a CSJ of Sault Ste. Marie. Their habits were mystical to my 5-year-old eyes. For days after the party, I put a towel over my head and walked around the house. I don’t remember this, of course, but I have photo to support the story.

When we ask children what they want to be when they grow up, generally we are asking about career possibilities, right? Careers come from attractions to skills, equipment or the importance that society places on a particular role. Or perhaps because there is a family tradition: “there are three generations of firefighters in our family!” Careers can have vocational elements of dedication and self-giving. Vocation, as in the way one serves God and others, is a much deeper commitment of one’s life.

Does our society value prayer and service as much as it once did? Does our society still believe a lifetime commitment is possible in marriage? Do we encourage children to consider their vocational choices as a single person, married person, priest or religious? God plants vocations in us, always giving us absolute freedom of choice. As with all seeds, the vocation needs to be nurtured. All vocations take root in the garden of the family. Would we not want our children to experience the joy and fulfillment of living their true vocation, their calling? Let us all pray today for vocational discernment for all God’s children.

Loving God,

you desire that your children be deeply happy as they live meaningful lives. 

May we cooperate with your grace in encouraging children to become people of prayer and service. 

Your Kingdom still needs builders: single stewards, married family circles, women and men religious and pastoral priests. 

May those of us who have discerned our life choice be joyful witnesses to your goodness and fidelity. 

Amen.

Pat Carter, CSJ is a disciple, a teacher and an advocate for the poor. She has been a Sister of St. Joseph for more than half of her life and loves to use words to inspire faith and laughter. She is a cantor at her parish of St. Jerome’s in Sault Ste. Marie.