HANDOUT#3: DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF CHRISTIAN VOCATIONS

DE LA SALLE SANTIAGO ZOBEL SCHOOL
HANDOUT#3
DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF CHRISTIAN VOCATIONS
SINGLE BLESSEDNESS:
The fundamental vocation of all Christians is to commit oneself to God and to His Kingdom and to express this commitment in loving service of God and fellowman. God calls us to fulfill this vocation through the various lifestyles which are present to us. This would mean that whether one chooses to marry, be part of the religious or otherwise, what remains is our call to be servants of God.
Voluntary Singles
- those who have freely chosen to remain single. An example is, those people who want to spend more time to their work, those who dedicate themselves more to their profession.
- these are people who freely choose to remain single. There are many reasons for this kind of choice such as:
• To dedicate oneself to a profession or career.
• To dedicate oneself to taking care of their parents or family.
• Involuntary Singles
- those who have not actively chosen to be single but have simply not married.
- Those people who have dedicated themselves to God.
These are persons who have not actively chosen to be single but have simply not married. Again there are a variety of reasons for this. However being an involuntary single does not diminish ones capacity to serve God through his life.
• Extended Family
- those who did not get married and instead, take care of their relatives or support them.
In the Philippines we have a very unique characteristic that is inherent in the family, this is the extended family. Most if not all Filipinos have been raised not only by their parents but also by single aunts and uncles, as well as grandparents. These people are also like the children’s parents, this may also be the reason why the singles in the family may choose not to marry.
PRIESTLY AND RELIGIOUS LIFE
The Secular Priests
CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA Secular Clergy.htm
In the language of religious the world (sæculum) is opposed to the cloister; religious who follow a rule, especially those who have been ordained, form the regular clergy, while those who live in the world are called the secular clergy. Hence the expression so frequently used in canonical texts: "uterque clerus", both secular and regular clergy. The secular cleric makes no profession and follows no religious rule, he possesses his own property like laymen, he owes to his bishop canonical obedience, not the renunciation of his own will, which results from the religious vow of obedience; only the practice of celibacy in Holy Orders is identical with the vow of chastity of the religious. The secular clergy, in which the hierarchy essentially resides, always takes precedence of the regular clergy of equal rank; the latter is not essential to the Church nor can it subsist by itself, being dependent on bishops for ordination.
RELIGIOUS VOWS
Obedience
As good Christians, they owed obedience to their bishop in religious matters, and their profession, if they rightly understood its spirit, made prompt and complete submission easy. But religious obedience, as we understand it now, began only with the cenobitical life, and at the time of which we speak there was nothing to oblige the cenobite to remain in the monastery. The cenobitic life was also combined with the solitary life in such a way that, after a sufficient formation by the common discipline, the monk gave proof of his fervour by retiring into solitude in order to fight hand-to-hand against the enemy of his salvation, and to find in independence a compensation for the greater severity of his life.
Poverty
Poverty then consisted for the hermits in the renunciation of worldly goods, and in the most sparing use of food, clothing, and all necessaries. The cenobites were forbidden to enjoy any separate property, and had to receive from their superior or the procurator everything they needed for their use; they were not, however, incapable of possessing property.
Chastity
Having once entered the religious life, the virgin, the ascetic, and the monk felt a certain obligation to persevere. Marriage or return to the world would be such inconstancy as to merit the reproach of Christ, "No man putting his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62). Still we have no evidence to prove that there was a strict obligation, and there were no vows properly so called: even for virgins, the passages from Tertullian and St. Cyprian, on which some persons rely, are capable of another interpretation.
THE DE LA SALLE BROTHERS (Fratres Scholarum Christianarum)
The Brothers of the Christian Schools began making a difference in people's lives over 320 years ago. They were founded by St. John Baptist de La Salle, a French priest, who saw the need for a group of lay men who would dedicate their lives to the ministry of Christian education, especially for the poor. The Brothers continue to change lives and make a difference. Today, over 6,000 Brothers conduct schools in 84 countries. In the Baltimore District, the Christian Brothers sponsor a middle school for at-risk, primarily Latino boys in Camden, NJ; they conduct La Salle University in Philadelphia; and they educate high school students in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Jersey City, Cumberland, MD and Washington, D.C. In addition, through the St. Gabriel's System in Philadelphia, the Brothers provide educational and social services for delinquent youth, 10 to 18 years of age.
A Consecrated Life
The Christian Brothers dedicate their lives to God through vows of poverty, chastity, obedience, community life and educational service to the poor. The Brothers commit themselves to the ministry of education and do not seek ordination. They affirm their commitment to education through their vows, daily prayers, teaching, counseling, and community life.
Faith and Zeal
St. John Baptist de La Salle recognized that providing education was a means of both spreading the Gospel and improving the lives and opportunities of young people. His spirit of Faith and Zeal is still the spirit of the religious community he founded. The Brothers work to develop new and creative ways of meeting the changing needs of the poor and marginalized in society.
The ministry of the Brothers goes beyond the school day. Brothers develop strong, fraternal connections with their students and colleagues. De La Salle told the Brothers that their "greatest miracle" is to touch hearts. Often that "miracle" happens outside of the classroom, by a few words of support, counsel or encouragement.
A Community
The Brothers live together, enjoying the benefits of working, praying and recreating with one another. Each community is made up of a diverse group of men dedicated to education. Community life is not a substitute for marriage or family, but it is a source of strength and support for each Brother. Family, friends, students, colleagues and those seeking to learn more about their vocation are welcomed into the Brothers community.
Aspirancy
The Aspirancy Program is designed to help the individual know himself better, deepen his relationship with God, and learn more about the Brother' vocation. Participation in the program primarily involves meeting monthly with a Brother and attending two retreats each year with other Aspirants; it does not imply any commitment to becoming a Brother.
Scholastic Residency
After participating in Aspirancy, the candidate may apply to live in the formation community, where he annually promises to observe the Brothers' Rule and prepare himself for community life and the ministry of Christian education. Now called "Brother," he pursues a program of studies determined by his educational background and experience.
Apostolic Residency
Following one or two years of Scholastic Residency, the candidate moves to a Brothers' community associated with a Lasallian school. Called "Brother" and being a Brother to his students, he is fully engaged in the Lasallian educational ministry, usually for two years.
Novitiate
If recommended by this Brothers, the student Brother may apply for the novitiate. This twelve-month program is designed to help the novice grow even closer to God while learning more about the Lasallian vocation, the vows, and other topics related to religious life. Toward the end of the Novitiate, the Brother may request permission to make First Vows, which are renewed annually until Final Vows.
Steps for becoming a Dominican
Today young people are in an authentic search for the Dominican vocation, in order to join some 6500 friars and 32 000 apostolic sisters and cloistered nuns working in 83 countries. The different steps that bring a friar to a definitive commitment in the Dominican Order (or Order Preachers) are simple; they are directed toward a fundamental objective: to permit the coherent and progressive integration of the principles that make up Dominican life.
First Step: Getting to know one another
The first step, above all else, permits the candidate to better get to know the Order. This is normally done through regular meetings with one of the local vocations directors. The vocations director will enable further contact with other Dominican communities with varied lifestyles as well as help the candidate discern whether or not he is made for Dominican life. If there is a positive response at the end of this step then the candidate will be invited to proceed to the next step: postulancy.
Second Step: Postulancy
The candidate who aspires to become a Domincan is invited to live in a Priory (community of friars) for at least three months before the beginning of the novitiate. During the time of the postulancy the candidate can keep his job and/or continue to pursue studies. At the same time, this step permits a progressive integration into the life of a community: prayer, meals, community meetings, times for renewal and formation. The candidate is invited to undertake activities that engage him at both the social and pastoral levels.
During the postulancy a formation program is established by whoever is responsible for the postulancy. Monthly meetings of all the postulants are planned. These meetings develop fundamental themes such as the catechism, Dominican spirituality, particular areas of personal growth and affective maturity. At the end of the postulancy experience the community, or representatives of the community, is invited to offer an opinion on the admittance of the candidate to the novitiate.

Third Step: Novitiate
The duration of the novitiate is 12 months. The novitiate begins every year on the 1st of August and lasts until the 8th of August of the following year. This time of retreat allows future friars (ordained or not) to know Dominican life more intimately than before. Through the daily shared experience with other novice brothers, those in charge of formation (Novice Master and the assistant) and the members of the welcoming community, the novice progressively discovers the major identity traits of the Dominican identity.
This period of 12 months includes diverse activities: the study of the life of St. Dominic and other great Dominican figures; the study of the Constitutions and the history of the Order; an introduction to the Bible, to personal and community prayer and liturgy; an elaboration of apostolic activities; visits to different Dominican communities and meetings with brothers and sisters in various apostolates.
The end of the novitiate is marked with the “simple profession” (for a period of three years) on the occasion of the Feast of St. Dominic, August 8th.
Fourth Step: Academic Studies
After the novitiate, the new friar integrates into a community of formation, usually the Couvent St-Jean-Baptiste d’Ottawa. Although integrated into the life of the community itself, the friars in formation form a more limited community called the “studendate” where one finds the space to consolidate the values acquired thus far. This new step corresponds to institutional studies pursued at the Dominican College of Philosophy and Theology in view of attaining bachelor and then graduate degrees in theology.
Fifth Step: Integration
This step usually marks an interruption. In keeping with certain objectives it is more profitable for future clerics to take this step at the end of a first degree in theology. This step consists of a pastoral placement that allows the friar to appropriate and apply theological learning to concrete needs and situations. This step also permits the friar in formation to reflect on his apostolic motivations and to clarify theological questions before undertaking the last step of studies.
DEFINITION OF TERMS:
1. Holy Orders
Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate. (CCC 1536)
Ministerial priesthood consists of three orders:
• the order of the episcoporum – Bishop
• the order of the presbyterorum - Priest
• the order of the diaconorum - Deacon
Admission into one of these three orders is not just a matter of election, delegation, designation, or institution, but rather as a gift of the Holy Spirit, which comes from Christ through His Church. (Source: The Essential Catholic Handbook of the Sacraments)
2. Diocesan Priest
The priest that serves your parish in many instances is a diocesan priest. He may also be involved in other ministries as well: he may serve on a campus, as a hospital chaplain, a teacher, be an administrator or even be coordinator of special events within the diocese.
The diocesan priests were called to serve people by God, accomplishing the mission for the Church through the celebration of the Eucharist, the liturgy and other sacramental commemorations. They make no vows, however, during ordination, they freely make promises of celibacy and obedience to their bishop.
The order of the priesthood is recognized as the highest of the Major Orders according to the traditional Catholic Rite of Holy Orders.
Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying "This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me." And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you." Luke 22: 19-20


3. Deacons
Men have been called from the beginning of the churches history to be consecrated to preach the Gospel, administer the sacraments and serve the community. For the most part, we think of priests and bishops for the calling of Holy Orders.
Although not familiar in every diocese, there is also the deacon. Deacons are men who have also been called as an official sign to be a living example to others in the Christian life. Deacons can read the Gospel, give homilies at Mass and be administers of communion. However, only a priest can administer the other sacraments.
Deacons can be married and have families. Their family life should be stable and they should have the consent of them before pursuing a life which involves commitments of this apostolic nature. Single men can also become deacons, however, when ordained, they make a promise of celibacy, similar to a priest, and may not marry.
There are two kinds of deacons: transitional and permanent. Transitional deacons are in the process of being ordained a priest. Permanent deacons are where the man ordained remains so. Both share in the Order of the Deacon.
What does a deacon do? A deacon is an ordained minister of the Church. Deacons preach and assist at liturgical celebrations (but cannot consecrate the Eucharist), baptize, witness marriages, preside at funerals, and distribute the Eucharist. Deacons do not hear confessions or anoint the sick. They are committed to serving the poor and marginalized.
What are the basic requirements to become a deacon? Someone preparing to become a deacon must be active in the Church. He may be married or single and should be between 35 and 60 at the time of ordination. He must complete an appropriate formation (preparation) program and serve in the ministries of lector and acolyte before ordination as a deacon.
4. Religious Life
Serving the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois are brothers, sisters and religious priests who have responded to God's call. They are living signs of a life lived in Christ.
Brothers, sisters and religious priests work together and pray together. They work for peace & justice among all people regardless of their race or creed.
Among these pages you can find a brief summary of the religious calling. Contact information for the various religious houses that serve the Diocese of Springfield can be found in the master address directory. Take the time to visit their own individual websites to become more acquainted with the various orders.
How long does it take to become a priest, sister, or brother in a religious community? It takes 2-4 years as a postulant and a novice, living in a religious community and learning about it; 3-6 years of temporary vows, during which a person fully participates in the religious community; Permanent vows (a lifetime commitment to religious life), after which a seminary Program of Priestly Formation may be undertaken.
How does a person choose among the many different religious communities? Each religious community has a spirituality and purpose. Members of all religious communities participate in daily prayer. Apostolic (active) religious communities focus on service. Contemplative communities focus on prayer.
5. Sister
Vocations for woman are very diverse and unique to each order of Sisters.
The choice of the ministry that a woman chooses arise from the founder's purpose of the community she joins. There was a specific charism developed in each community with varying prayer and community life. Woman called to become Sisters, take vows of obedience, chastity and poverty. They go wherever they are needed by their order.
The woman religious, as well as her community, look together at the needs of the church to decide which path to walk. How a sister spends her day also depends on the type of community. Active communities are involved with education, social work, parish work, just to name a few. Those sisters who join contemplative orders find their work in their communities. They may cook, garden or do craftwork. Their life is characterized by constant prayer.
6. Brother
A Brother is a lay Christian man who commits his life to Christ and to the Christian community. He is part of a community committed to prayer and one another. A Brother takes vows of poverty, chastity and obedience to the order with whom he serves.
Brothers have many ministries which they may be called to and his ministry is essential to his life. Some brothers teach, others coach. They are ministers to the sick, the poor and the youth. However, beyond the ministry he is called to share, his lifestyle is what really characterizes his life.
As a Brother, he needs to be able to share fraternal friendship and love. As a community, Brothers walk side by side with those they serve with; they share morning and evening prayer, Mass and conversation. Each order has their own unique charism which is their guiding mission.
7. Marriage
"The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament." Catechism of the Catholic Church #1601.
You can read further as marriage as a vocation in the Catechism of the Catholic Church by using the link to the USCCB website or visit the Office of Family and Youth Ministry at the official Diocese of Springfield in IL website.
8. Lay Ministry
Since Christian initiation is the call to active participation in the mission and ministry of the Church, whether one is called to the ordained or lay ministry, and realizing that each person has gifts and charisms to share in the service of the people of God.
9. Lay Religious
The religious laity are members of a particular religious order who make a commitment to live a life of prayer, study, and service while keeping their own lifestyle and careers as single or married women and men.
Also known as secular third orders, the religious laity are people who follow the inspiration and guidance of a particular religious order while still maintaining a life in the secular world. Usually the formation for the religious laity is longer than with an associate program.
10. Associates
Lay people may become associate members of religious communities. Associates can be single or married and the commitment to the community in which you "associate" with can vary.

Note: References for this handout on the Different aspects of vocation can be found in Seniors Zobel Website.