"Holiness is the universal vocation of every person.
It is the main road onto which converge all the
little paths that are particular vocations."
In Verbo Tuo, 1997

Do you really believe that your life, apart from any decisions that you may make, is of infinite value and meaning in the eyes of God?

That’s the first and most important question for every Christian to ask. Whatever we say about vocation flows from the answer to that question. The Bible teaches us from the first to the last page that God calls us from the moment of our birth until the moment of our death, and beyond, to move from darkness into God’s wonderful light.

Our journey
This movement is a journey of self-discovery before God, and is the basis of personal meaning and fulfilment. To move anywhere, to make a journey, requires us to read the signposts (discern) and then make choices and commitments. If we don’t do this and if we don’t move, we remain stuck and we fail to grow as human beings. The word vocation comes from the Latin vocare (to call). We believe that Jesus calls each by name, as he did the first disciples, to share in a unique way in the life of his Body, the Church. It is, therefore, necessary for us to explore the very concrete ways through which we may be invited by God to make this journey. These we can describe as ‘particular vocations’.

When we consider the concrete choices that people make to express their Christian calling, we think of ordained ministry (priesthood and diaconate), marriage and family life, consecrated life (religious life), and committed single life. Each of these ‘particular vocations’ (life choices) will be explored in the coming pages and many links will be provided in order to help you deepen your understanding of these important commitments that support the life of the Church.

© National Office for Vocation 2003  |   Credits  |   E-mail
National Office for Vocation   The Chase Centre 114 West Heath Road London NW3 7TX  United Kingdom
Tel: 020 8458 6017 Registered Charity No: 1097482