A: In
baptism, each person is called by God to follow Jesus in a life of holiness
and service. This call may be lived out in different occupations for which the individual
is particularly suited or qualified: in marriage, as a single person, or as a priest,
deacon, brother or sister. Most
people are generally referring to the last four ‘religious’ vocations when
they say ‘vocations’.
Here are some ways to promote religious vocations in your daily lives:
Discuss Vocations with your family
The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds
us that "family catechesis precedes, accompanies, and enriches other forms
of instruction in the faith. Parents
have the mission of teaching their children to pray and to discuss their vocation
as children of God" (CCC2226). In
other words, one mission as a parent is to help your children to discern their
gifts to find which vocation they are being called by God to do.
Other
websites that contain information about how to encourage vocations within
your family:
www.thinkpriest.org/parent.html
www.livingcatholicism.com/archives/2005/01/a_vocations_cri.html