Every Christian has a vocation – a calling from God to holiness and to a particular way of serving him and his Church. For some, that calling is to marriage; for others, to the single or consecrated life. And some men are called by God to serve his people through Holy Orders as deacons and priests.
A vocation to the priesthood begins not simply with a personal choice or an interest in church life, but with the possibility that Christ is calling a man to follow him in a particular and demanding way. The priest is ordained to proclaim the Gospel, celebrate the Sacrifice of the Holy Mass, forgive sins in the Sacrament of Penance, care for the sick and dying, and shepherd the people entrusted to him. It is a life of prayer, sacrifice and service, but also one of profound joy.
The Ordinariate has a particular experience of vocation. Many of its priests first discerned a call to ministry within the Anglican tradition and, after entering into the full communion of the Catholic Church, subsequently discerned with the Church a call to Catholic Holy Orders. At the same time, the future of the Ordinariate increasingly depends upon new vocations arising from within our own communities – men formed in the Catholic faith and inspired by the Ordinariate’s distinctive spiritual and liturgical patrimony.
Discernment is important because a vocation is never discerned alone. A man may sense that God is calling him, but that call must also be tested and recognised by the Church. Prayer, regular participation in the Sacraments, spiritual direction and conversation with a priest are all important parts of discovering whether a vocation to Holy Orders may be genuine.
The Ordinariate also values vocations to the permanent diaconate. Deacons are ordained to a ministry of the Word, the altar and charity, assisting the bishop and priests and serving the people of God. As with the priesthood, this is an ordained vocation requiring prayerful discernment, formation and the recognition of the Church.
If you have ever wondered whether God might be calling you to the priesthood or diaconate, do not be afraid of the question. You do not need to be certain before speaking to someone, and making an enquiry commits you to nothing. Sometimes discernment begins simply by having the courage to ask: Lord, what do you want me to do?
Our priest would be very happy to speak confidentially with anyone who wishes to explore a possible vocation and, where appropriate, to put them in contact with those responsible for vocations and formation within the Ordinariate.
God still calls. The question is whether we are prepared to listen.