Vocations
What is a Vocation?
Are you interested in learning more about St Francis and about
the Friars who follow him today?
Just what is a "Religious Vocation"?
The word "vocation" comes from a Latin root which means
to call. A basic assumption for Christians is that every person
has a particular calling in life and that this calling is God-given.
This is important to stress at the outset.
"I
don't call myself to be a Franciscan" but, rather, it is
God's Holy Spirit who calls me. "Something" within moves
me to seek out this way of life. In the Christian understanding,
the seeds of a vocation are already planted within me by God and
lie dormant until I respond. When I do respond, that seed begins
to sprout and I "know" that I am on the right path.
The call is like an inner-voice that begs to be heard.
Another key part of Christian thinking is that a person can only
find personal fulfilment in life by seeking to respond to his
or her "vocation" in life. This begs the question: How
do we "know" what it is that God wants us to do?
Yet, if we take these assumptions seriously:
-
that every person has a God given vocation in life (or some
might word it: Each of us is put here for a purpose);
-
that only by responding to our God-given vocation can we
find genuine happiness and fulfilment in life then, this will
affect the way we make choices and decisions about our future.
If you live your life from within the context of vocation, you
live your life with a firm purpose and with conviction. Your life
becomes fruitful for yourself and for others.
If you live out your life unreflectively, living from moment
to moment, then your life can seem to be aimless and unanchored.
It will not fulfil you and "make you happy".
As you may recall from that great Bible story in the Old Testament
about Jonah the Prophet (who was swallowed by a whale), he tried
to escape from this call and in the end he became God's instrument
in converting the sinners in Nineveh.
That account is often repeated in the pages of the Bible: Moses/
Joshua/ King David/Judith/ Esther/ Ruth/ Jeremiah/ Isaiah/Mary,
mother of Jesus/ Peter and the early Disciples/ Saul of Tarsus
and so on.
A vocation can be felt as an inclination to a certain choice,
even though it may feel uncomfortable or uneasy. Some people experience
it is as a deep sense of disquiet prompting to search elsewhere.
Others speak of clear desire that brings them personal fulfilment.
The nature of a vocation and the way it is expressed in someone
are unique for each but can have similarities to the vocations
of others.
A Franciscan vocation
The Franciscan vocation is lived out in community. It is unusual
for Franciscan Friars to live and work alone although some have
had to, such as the Pioneering Friars who came to Australia in
the 19th century.
They
take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. These vows are taken
within the Rule of St Francis, which was approved by the Pope
in 1223, three years before Francis died. The vows are also known
as the Gospel Counsels - as they are found throughout the pages
of the Gospels as taught by Jesus.
Some of the Friars are priests, some are brothers - all are Friars.
There is no first or second class rating in the Order. Friars
belong to a region known as a Province which is a geographical
area, and in our part of the world, the Friars Minor belong to
the Province of the Holy Spirit - which encompasses Singapore/
Malaysia/ Brunei/ Australia and Aotearoa-New Zealand.
The Franciscan charism
Another aspect of "vocation" is what is called a "charism;"
the word literally means "a gift," the gift from God
that makes each group unique. For example, what is it that makes
a Franciscan different to a Jesuit to a Salesian?
For Friars, this charism translates into a passion to live the
way of life set out for the disciples in the Gospels to live in
a simple and humble way. Like Francis, the Friars today strive
to show concern for those neglected and despised by society and
to identify with them. Friars have a particular concern for the
care of creation and for building bonds of brotherhood and community
amongst people. Friars try to imitate Francis by being heralds
of joy and men of peace. Above all, Friars seek to follow in the
very footprints of Jesus and make his message come alive again
in their lives and works.
Perhaps, as you read this material, you may be feeling an inner
resonance with it?
You may relate to some of the experiences? It may be that you
share in our charism by seeing some of these qualities at work
in your own life. If so, have you thought about joining others
like you - as a Franciscan Friar?
Seek advice and counsel
It is important to open yourself to another in such matters.
You may have spoken with a friend? With a member of your family?
We would advise that you also seek the advice of others who are
trained in helping people discern their direction in life such
as spiritual directors or those skilled in the pastoral care of
vocations. You may wish to contact your local parish priest or
a Religious brother or sister or you can contact us. There is
no need to fear that we will try and "corner" you into
joining; in fact, the majority who seek our advice do not end
up joining us.
But above all, pray. This is the most important thing you can
do. A vocation is, as we said, a God-given gift. It is not a career
choice. By opening yourself to God in prayer, you will allow the
Holy Spirit of God to touch your heart and God's Spirit will speak
to your spirit. (Romans 8) Recall that the young Francis spent
many long hours in personal prayer, alone in the abandoned churches
and isolated caves of the region.
You may wish to use that prayer that Francis used as he prayed
before the Crucifix of St Damian:
Great and glorious God and my Lord Jesus Christ
Enlighten I beseech you the darkness of my heart.
Give me a right faith, a certain hope and a perfect love,
So that I many always and in all things
Act according to your most holy and perfect will. Amen.
