Readings for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time: 1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19; Ps 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10; 1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20; Jn 1:35-42

Growing up, I was the typical nerd. I was always the student in class who would raise their hand saying, “I have a question … ” (I learned quickly not to stand up, wave my hands, and yell … thanks to first grade.)

I just loved asking all types of questions. I still do.

Two kinds of questions that I ask are random questions and life questions.

The “random question”

One of my random questions was “What would sun tan lotion taste like?”

Oh, believe me – growing up in Florida this is something I had thought about since I was eleven. I know it’s completely absurd, but what’s great about a random question is that it just passes through my mind. I don’t need to know the answer immediately and it doesn’t cause me any anxiety.

Picture this, I was fifteen and it was my first day working at Haagen Daaz. My tattooed, sixty-year-old boss let me sample every ice cream we carried.

I took a spoonful of Pineapple Coconut ice cream and it was like there were fireworks in my mouth; it was exactly how I imagined sun tan lotion should taste!

It was exciting to have the answer to that question, and it didn’t matter that it took me four years to figure out.

The “life questions”

On the other hand, the second type of question is a bit different. These are the substantial “life questions.”

These begin in my heart and tend to stop in my head, they linger. They usually have to do with seeking God’s will in my life, such as:

“What is my vocation?”
“What is my purpose?”
“Where’s my future spouse at?”

I remember at fifteen, asking the Lord who I was supposed to marry. But that didn’t affect me at that point in my life. I wasn’t getting married any time soon.

I wanted solutions immediately and I tried to figure them out instead of waiting for the answers to come.

Walk then Run

When I try to figure things out before God’s time, it’s like I’m trying to finish a race without putting my shoes on. I’m skipping an important step. Which only leads to losing, getting nasty blisters and probably breaking my big toe.

I have to let the Lord teach me how to walk first and then He will “guide my feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:79) Only after that can I put shoes on and start running.

He knows the precise moment for me to lace up and “run so as to win” (1 Corinthians 9:24) so why rush it?

“Many days you will wait for me … ” (Hosea 3:5)

While we wait for Christ, our fears and anxieties cease because if we surrender to the Lord we can know in faith that he hears us and listens. He created our desires and only He can fulfill them.

He won’t let me miss out on the next step He has for me. I have to remind myself of this daily. My hope has to be in Him, and He cannot disappoint (Romans 5:5).

It might be years before He reveals some of my big “life questions” to me, but His timing is perfect because He is perfect.

I don’t think God is going to tell me whether or not I should eat lucky charms or yogurt tomorrow morning. But I do know for the life questions, whenever I begin “I have a question,” from my heart, I have to wait for God to respond, “I have an answer.”

Because He does.

Why are you here, you young people of the nineties and of the twentieth century? Do you feel perchance within yourselves “the spirit of this world”?

Have you not perhaps come here — I ask you again — to convince yourselves once and for all that to be great means to serve? This service is certainly not mere humanitarian sentimentality. Nor is the community of the disciples of Christ a volunteer agency or social help group. Such a concept of service would imply stooping to the level of the “spirit of this world”. No! Here we are dealing with something more. The radicality, quality and destiny of this “service” to which we have all been called must be seen in the context of the human Redemption. Because we have been created, we have been called, we have been destined, first and foremost, to serve God, in the image and likeness of Christ who, as Lord of all creation, as centre of the cosmos and of history, showed his royal power through obedience unto death, and was glorified in the Resurrection (Lumen Gentium, 36). The kingdom of God is realized by means of this “service”, which is the fullness and measure of all human service. It does not act according to human criterion through power, might and money. Each one of us is asked for a total readiness to follow Christ, who “came not to be served, but to serve”.

I invite you, dear friends, to discover your true vocation to cooperate in the spreading of this Kingdom of truth and life, of holiness and grace, of justice, love and peace. If you really wish to serve your brothers and sisters, let Christ reign in your hearts, let him help you to discern and grow in dominion over yourselves, to strengthen you in the virtues, to fill you above all with his charity, to guide you along the path which leads to the “condition of the perfect one”. Do not be afraid to be saints! This is the liberty with which Christ has set us free (Gal 5: 1). Not as the powers of this world promise it, with false hope and deceit: total autonomy, a breaking of every dependency as creatures and sons and daughters, an affirmation of self-sufficiency which leaves us defenseless before our limitations and weaknesses, alone in the prison of our egoism, slaves to the “spirit of this world”, condemned to the “bondage of decay” (Rom 8: 21).

For this reason, I ask the Lord, to help you to grow in this “true freedom”, as a basic and illuminating criterion of judgement and choice in life. This same freedom will direct your moral behavior in truth and in charity. It will help you to discover authentic love, uncorrupted by an alienating and harmful permissiveness. It will make you people who are open to a possible total self-giving in the priesthood or consecrated life. It will make you grow in humanness through study and work. It will inspire your works of solidarity and your acts of service to those in need, whether in body or in soul. It will enable you to become “masters”, so as to serve better, and not “slaves”, victims and followers of the dominant trends in attitudes and ways of behavior.

To serve: to be a person for others.

This is also a truth which the Apostle Paul teaches very eloquently… “I bid every one among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith which God has assigned to him” (Rom 12: 3). And the Apostle adds: “Having gifts that differ” (Rom 12: 6).

Yes! You need to know well the gifts God has granted you in Christ. It is necessary to know well the gift you have received, in order to give it to others, to contribute to the common good.

Yes. You need to perceive well the gifts God has granted you in Christ. You need to know well the gift you have received in the very experience of family and parish life, in working together with others in associations, and in the charismatic flourishing of movements, so as to be able to give it to others: thus to enrich the communion and missionary thrust of the Church, to be witnesses of Christ in your neighbourhood and school, in the university and factory, in places of work and recreation…, to contribute to the common good, as servants of experiences of growth in humanity, of dignity and solidarity, in which young people may be authentic protagonists of more human ways of life.

This is what the Apostle teaches. What he says is not just a mere teaching, but a fervent call.

“Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honour. Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints, practise hospitality” (Rom 12: 9-13).

Is he not perhaps saying this particularly to you, to young people? Does the fact that you are young not imply a particular sensitivity to this plan of life and action, to this world of values?

Does it not open towards this world? And if, by chance, it feels the resistance which comes from within, or indeed from without, does not your being young dispose you to struggle precisely for just such a “form” of life?

Homily
World Youth Day
August 20, 1989

1. The Married Life
2. The Single Life
3. The Priesthood and Religious Life

1. The Married Life

You and your spouse commit to a lifetime relationship of faithfully serving one another. You are open to children and dedicated to loving and raising them. Many young Catholics see themselves becoming married and having a family. What's it like?

Commitment

One of the greatest comforts in marriage is being committed to one another.

• As Catholics, we firmly live the vows spoken at the altar: “Till death do us part…In sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or worse.” It’s romantic to say when everything is perfect at the wedding, but it is a challenge to live those vows every day.
• Unfortunately, not everyone shares the same commitment that God calls us to. Half of all marriages in America end in divorce. Divorce is extremely painful for everyone–spouses, children, and grandparents.
• Many people make a habit of dating, dumping, dating, dumping… In the back of their mind, they have an “exit strategy” for when things don’t work out perfectly. In marriage, you have to break that habit of thinking. For some this is easy, for others it is very difficult.
• Grass is greener? Once married, you must break the habit of “shopping around” with the opposite sex. After years of dating, this is not as easy as it seems. When you exchange rings, that does not prevent you from being attracted to the opposite sex. There will always be more handsome men and more beautiful women.

Sex

A great joy of marriage is giving yourself to your spouse by making love! The Catholic Church believes this is entirely good! God expects married couples to make love. Often. But…

• Many men have unrealistic expectations of sex in marriage. Marriage is not an endless love-fest. You must respect, love, and adore your wife, even when she does not want to have sex.
• Learning to sexually please one another takes time and patience.
• For medical and health reasons, the two of you may not be able to have sex for long periods of time.
• When you are first married, you are both young and attractive. But as the both of you grow older, your bodies change. This is a humbling realization for the husband and the wife.
• Patience: if you need to wait to have children, then you should practice Natural Family Planning (NFP).
• Though all married couples have sex, not many have intimacy. Sex can distract a couple from deeper issues that separate the two, preventing authentic intimacy.

Joys

Although priests and religious, single, and married people share common joys, the married life offers unique joys.

• Selflessly giving yourself to another person every day
• Making love
• Pouring yourself into the lives of your children
• Sharing your children with your brothers and sisters and your parents
• Watching your children grow up
• Growing old with a friend

Hardships

Many young Catholics think that you get married >> have sex >> live happily ever after. Yes, you get married, you have sex, but living “happily ever after” takes a lifetime of work and dedication. And sacrifice! It’s not the direct result of wearing a wedding band.

• Living with another person is not easy! Have you ever been on a weeklong vacation with your best friend? Your spouse may suffer from emotional or physical problems, and you must patiently stick by their side through it all.
• Children are a joy, but raising children is not easy. In your child’s young years, there are many sleepless nights. Throughout school, there’s always something going on. Junior high and high school is a trying time for everyone. Consider what you and your parents have been through in just the past year. There’s pain, frustration, and heartache.
• Some people grow apart over time. This is why courtship is so important. You have to be sure you marry someone who will grow with you.
• When you marry your spouse, you also marry the family. Your spouse’s parents become your children’s grandparents. This is often a joy, because your in-laws are an extension of the goodness of your spouse. But, in-laws become a real part of your life.
• Having a family is a financial commitment. How you spend your money changes drastically. Some of the “toys” from your single life have to go (fast cars, expensive clothes, newest gizmos, etc.)
• As a parent, life ceases to be about you and becomes about them. Children are always needy. You may have to let go of your own ambitions to take care of your children. Many people will say that raising children is the most rewarding ambition, but others are not ready to let go of their self-focused lifestyle.

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2. Single Life

God calls many people to live a single life. What's it like?

Commitment

• You are not committed to a spouse or any of your children, so you can commit your time to whatever you’d like. But, this freedom from commitment also means that no one is committed to you. You have to be comfortable with living solo.
• You will remain committed to your family: brothers, sisters, parents, grandparents, cousins, etc.

Sex

• In the single life, it is immoral to have sexual or physical relationships with others.
• You focus your sexual energy on serving God and His church more.

Joys

• You give when and where a married person cannot: time, money, and attention. A married person is bound to serving their family.
• As a single person, you have a unique independence that married people do not.
• If God calls you to serve elsewhere, you are free to travel.
• Although you may not have any biological children, you can have many kids by staying involved in your church’s youth ministery, religious education, or in local sports teams.
• As your parents age, or as a relative becomes ill, you will be able to help them in ways that married siblings cannot.

Hardships

• Since you don’t have your own family, you’ll need to find positive ways to find company and spend your time.
• Most of your friends will eventually get married and they’ll wonder why you aren’t doing it too. You have to find confidence in your vocation and be ready to explain it to people who don’t understand.

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3. Priesthood and Religious Life

You give your entire being to God, and free yourself from worldly ambitions by taking vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Each day you dedicate your entire life to serving Christ and His Church. But what is it like?

Commitment

Many priests, brothers, and sisters will tell you the most difficult part of their vocation is obedience, not chastity.

• This is a life-long commitment!
• You must humbly accept where your director takes you.
• You are called to be obedient to Church teachings, regardless of you personal opinions.
• You must be obedient to your bishop.
• If you are a diocesan priest, you are a committed member of a team. You must support other priests in the diocese and the work of the bishop.

Sex

You are called to live a life of celibacy. That means you vow to not have sexual relationships for the rest of your life. I know this sounds like bad news, but consider this…

• There is no taking the place of a marital sexual relationship, but as a priest, brother, or sister, you are able experience deep intimacy with God and others. Many people have sex but never have intimacy.
• You focus your sexual energy on serving God and His church.
• “Usually we have this thing, ‘if I only had the right girlfriend, if I only had the right spouse, if I only had this, if I only had that, I wouldn’t be lonely anymore and my life would be perfect,’ and that’s not true. That’s an illusion because you can’t cure loneliness by anything except embracing it with faith and giving it to God. So that’s part of what I think priestly life is about and celibate life is about. That’s part of the whole reason for it.” – Fr. Tim Hepburn, Atlanta

Joys

• Independence! Without a family to take care of, you are able to go wherever God calls you.
• Travel
• Working with people
• Knowing that every gift you have will be used for the glory of God.
• Having many children! As a parish priest, you have an entire parish that becomes your family.
• Job security!

Hardships

• Although you gain a new family, you sacrifice having your own family.
• You are called to a life of chastity, poverty, and obedience. These are blessings, but they are difficult.
• You might be the only person from your group of friends who chooses the path to priesthood or religious life. Your peers will grow up to be working professionals and maybe get married and become parents. You have to be okay with the fact that your life will not be symmetrical to their lives.

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Many young men considering the priesthood have BIG questions about going into the seminary. Here are answers to your top 13 questions.

1. What is a college seminary?
2. Do I have to know for sure that I am going to be a priest to go to the college seminary?
3. How old do I have to be to go to the college seminary?
4. What’s the biggest difference between going to college and going to a college seminary?
5. What advantages are there to being a college seminarian?
6. What do I study at the college seminary?
7. How smart do I have to be to be a college seminarian?
8. How much does college seminary cost, and how do I pay for it?
9. What can I do if my parents think I should wait until I graduate from college or work a few years before I start studying for priesthood?
10. What will my friends think?
11. Can I date if I go to a college seminary?
12. Can I go to parties if I go to a college seminary?
13. Can I play sports if I go the college seminary?

1. What is a college seminary?

A college seminary is a place where men of college age go to begin their preparation for priesthood. The college seminary prepares them intellectually with the required coursework in philosophy and theology to enter the next level of priestly formation, the graduate seminary or theologate. There are two basic models of college seminaries. One is the affiliated model where students live together at the seminary and take their academic coursework at a Catholic college or university. The other is the free-standing model where all aspects of seminary life, including academics, are through the seminary. Typically free-standing seminaries are much smaller in size and offer more individual attention to the needs of the seminarian.

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>2. Do I have to know for sure that I am going to be a priest to go to the college seminary?

No. Certainty of a call to priesthood is not needed to enter the college seminary. In fact, certainty of the call may never come. Doubts about one’s vocation are common among seminarians at every stage. What is required is a sense that priesthood would be a good fit and a joyful life for you. You should also sense in your heart that God is asking you to take this step to consider more carefully the priesthood. Through the experiences of being a seminarian, one fairly early on gets the sense as to whether the seminary is the right place for him and whether priesthood is something he should be preparing for.

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3. How old do I have to be to go to the college seminary?

One needs to simply have graduated from high school to enter a college seminary. Many young men enter right after high school, while others will begin college seminary studies after a couple of years of working or going to another college or university. Generally the right age to respond is when the Lord calls!

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4. What’s the biggest difference between going to college and going to a college seminary?

Colleges and universities typically only focus on academics, and the evaluation of college work is a report card and transcripts showing courses taken and grades achieved. The college seminary is concerned with several other areas of growth, including but also going beyond academics. The college seminary focuses on human formation (growth as a person, communication and relationship skills, leadership, etc..); spiritual formation (becoming a man of prayer; being a disciple of Jesus Christ; daily Mass and prayer; having a spiritual director, etc…); and pastoral formation (service to the poor; helping at a parish; teaching religious education; visiting the sick, etc…) College seminary focuses on the growth of the total person, and evaluations of college seminary formation look at how well the man has grown each year as a person, as a follower of Christ, and as a man of the Gospel.

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5. What advantages are there to being a college seminarian?

As mentioned, the greatest benefit to college seminary is being a part of a supportive environment where all aspects of human growth are encouraged. One’s faith life tends to really flourish in the seminary because of the focus on meeting the Lord daily through the Mass and other prayers. Living in an environment where being Catholic is supported helps men make good moral choices for life as well. After completing college seminary, the men are prepared to enter the graduate program. For those who don’t go to the college seminary, there is usually one or two years of pre-theology work that must be done before beginning the graduate seminary. So a man can save one or two years of formation by going to the college seminary.

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6. What do I study at the college seminary?

Studying in the seminary. What's it like?

This depends on the seminary one goes to. In many seminarians there is a choice of several majors that a man can select from, in others just a few majors are offered. One also takes a minimum of 24 credit hours of philosophy and 12 credit hours of theology. Most seminarians receive degrees in liberal arts majors, but some get degrees in science, engineering, or business. The academic program is designed to meet the needs and interests of the seminarian.

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7. How smart do I have to be to be a college seminarian?

Diocesan seminarians should have above average intelligence and above average grades. They don’t need to be geniuses, but they have to be able to do well academically in college. Sometimes guys struggle with math and sciences and do very well in English and history. That’s okay, because some fields are more critical than others. Many seminaries also provide special help for students who have certain learning disorders, such as dyslexia. Most seminaries have a very supportive learning environment that helps each student excel to their capacity.

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8. How much does college seminary cost, and how do I pay for it?

Tuition and room and board charges vary among seminaries, but typically a college seminary education costs less than a private university education, ranging from $11,000 to $20,000 per year. Seminaries usually have fairly good financial aid programs to assist students in need, and many dioceses provide scholarships and grants for college seminaries. For example, the Joliet Diocese provides a full-tuition and room and board scholarship for our first year college seminarians who are giving God the first chance with their lives. In the following years, our college students receive half-tuition and room and board scholarships. No one is denied the opportunity to prepare for priesthood because of financial reasons.

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9. What can I do if my parents think I should wait until I graduate from college or work a few years before I start studying for priesthood?

Unfortunately there are some parents who think that 18 is too young of an age to think about priesthood and act on a possible call. That is a young age, but we believe that God does indeed genuinely call young people to serve Him. Many times the objections are more of an issue for the parents than for their son, i.e. a desire for grandchildren or to pass on the family name, or thinking their son can’t be happy or won’t be wealthy as a priest.

Sometimes education is helpful because parents need to realize that by merely going to seminary a young man isn’t limiting his options for the future, but is really expanding them by offering a host of opportunities other college students don’t have. Those who decide not to continue on in seminary formation almost always leave with a greater sense of who they are and what they are called to do and are grateful for their experiences in the seminary. God never abandons those who step out in faith to respond to a call to priesthood.

It also might be helpful to ask whether parents would respond in the same way if their son wanted to be a doctor or lawyer. Would they encourage him not to enter pre-medicine or pre-law programs in college but instead study engineering or business in case that might be better for him? The basic point is that parents ought to support their sons to become who God needs them to be, independent of the parents’ own hopes and plans for what they would like for their son. We find that the majority of parents are supportive of their sons’ pursuit of priesthood once they understand what seminary life is really about.

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10. What will my friends think?

I don’t know what your friends will think, because a lot depends on who your friends are! In most cases, though, once they learn what a college seminary is like, they will see it as a good choice for you. Those who have difficulty understanding why you might want to be a priest are more likely questioning their own faith and ability to make commitments rather than saying anything about you.

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11. Can I date if I go to a college seminary?

Seminarians are encouraged to build strong relationships with men and women, so social interaction with women is encouraged. Exclusive dating relationships are not permitted, because a man needs to discover whether the commitment to celibacy will be possible for him. You cannot fully and fairly discern priesthood while in a dating relationship. College seminarians are encouraged to live the challenge of celibate love to see if it fits them. This includes: striving to use their energies to grow passionately in love with God and to feel His passionate love for them; to make efforts to be inclusive in their relationships seeking out those whom others keep at a distance; to stretch themselves in their commitments of service so that they feel themselves spending their lives tirelessly for the sake of the many; to speak fearlessly for the truth in defense of life and the vulnerable today; to live more simply in the world so as to witness more effectively to the Gospel of Jesus we profess; to be radically involved in people’s lives as a means of God’s forgiveness, mercy and compassion; and to see each person as brother and sister in the Lord. If these kinds of experiences draw a genuine sense of joy to their heart, then priesthood will likely be a good fit for them.

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12. Can I go to parties if I go to a college seminary?

Going to parties and being involved in college social life are important for seminarians. They don’t lead separate lives from other college students. Obviously good moral behavior is important for seminarians, so legal and appropriate use of alcohol is expected.

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13. Can I play sports if I go the college seminary?

Absolutely! Physical exercise and athletic competitions are important for all seminarians as well. Some seminaries are involved in campus interhall athletic competitions in football, basketball, soccer, and baseball. Depending on the sport, some seminarians participate on the varsity teams at the college or university they attend. Many seminaries also have seminary competitions in various sports, such as basketball, soccer, and racquetball.

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1. Diocesan Priesthood: To be a priest is to live a life of service, bringing Christ to others in word and sacrament.
2. Religious Priesthood: To be a religious priest is to live according to a particular form of life united to others in your community and faithful to the charism of your founder(s).
3. Contemplative Life: To be a contemplative religious is to live a life of constant prayer for the Church as you seek intimacy with God.
4. Religious Brothers: To be a religious brother is to live according to a particular form of life with others in your community, dedicated to service, especially to the poor.
5. Religious Sisters: To be a religious sister is to live according to a particular form of life with others in your community, dedicated to service, especially to the poor.
6. Secular Institutes: To be a member of an institute for lay people is to strive for holiness and to bring the Gospel message to others by living and working alongside them.

1. Diocesan Priesthood

“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Mt 4:19

Who they are

Priests are called to be men of personal prayer who proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. The heart of the priesthood is the celebration of the Eucharist and the teaching, sanctifying, and leading of those in their spiritual care. Priests proclaim, celebrate, and live the Death and Resurrection of Jesus. They bear witness that new life and hope are more powerful than sin and death. Priests remind others of the dignity and sanctity of all human life and have a special love for the poor.

Fr. Matt Lawry celebrates Mass at Life Teen Steubenville West. Fr. Matt is a diocesan priest.

How they live

As Jesus made the journey with his disciples on the road to Emmaus, so too, does the priest journey with his people. Most diocesan priests serve in parishes, ministering to the day-to-day needs of their people. Others serve in specialized ministries and are chaplains in prisons, hospitals, high schools, and colleges, or serve in diocesan administration.

What they do

No two days are alike in a priest’s life: it often includes many diverse experiences. Much time is spent in the preparation and celebration of the Sacraments. Time is spent counseling, teaching, preparing homilies, visiting the sick, the elderly, and the imprisoned, or assisting an immigrant or poor family.

In addition, priests attend wakes and funerals, and coordinate parish organizations and youth activities. As with anyone else, a priest must balance his time among family, friends, exercise, rest, and, most of all, prayer.

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2. Religious Priesthood

“If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” Mt 19:21.

Fr. Stan Fortuna is a religious priest with the Capuchin Friars of the Renewal in New York.

Who they are

A diocesan priest is ordained to serve the local church in which he is ordained. For example, a priest who is ordained in the Diocese of Brooklyn is ordained to serve within Brooklyn and Queens, most likely in a parish.

By contrast, a religious priest is not ordained for a specific diocese. Because he comes from a religious community he is called to serve wherever his community serves in the universal Church. He expresses his service according to the charism of his community in the context of the great gift of being a priest.

How they live

Members of religious communities profess vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience and live together in community. After someone studying for the priesthood professes his final or solemn vows, he is ordained a deacon and a priest.

What they do

A religious priest comes from a group that has a specific charism or special inspiration of the Holy Spirit for the building up of the Church. A religious priest carries out his ministry within the broader context of his community’s charism or mission.

The ministries of religious priests vary greatly. Some priests work in parishes, schools, universities, or hospitals. Others preach, do missionary work abroad, operate retreat houses, or do outreach work, such as running soup kitchens and taking care of the poor. Some priests even serve as lawyers, webmasters, radio producers, or medical doctors.

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3. Contemplative life

Who they are

Life in the Monastery is quiet and prayerful.

Members of a contemplative religious community focus on prayer as their main ministry, giving themselves to God as fully as possible.They cultivate a climate of silence and solitude with a spirit of loving reparation for the weaknesses and frailties of a fallen humanity. Through intercession and abandonment to the love of God, contemplative monks and nuns are a source of life for the whole Church.

How they live

The contemplative life is usually lived within a monastic, cloistered setting. The day is structured with specific times for prayer, work, recreation, and silence. The prayer life of a contemplative community includes daily celebration of the Eucharist, the Liturgy of the Hours recited or sung in choir five or more times a day, as well as private meditation inspired by the Gospels and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

What they do:

The work of each community varies. It includes, but is not restricted to, manual work, and may be focused around a limited apostolate, such as creating religious works of art, evangelizing through various media, doing computer work, or baking altar breads or even special delicacies. The cloistered contemplative remains present within the monastic environment most of the time, being continually attentive to the presence of the Lord Jesus.

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4. Religious Brothers

“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink” Mt 25:35.

Who they are

The religious brother is a lay Christian who commits himself to Christ and the Christian community by vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. He lives in community, prays with community, and is of service to the Church community in a variety of ministries that reflect the tradition and charism of a given religious congregation.

What they do

Religious brothers, bonded together by a common vision and common goals, strive to meet the current needs of the Church by serving in such ministries as teaching, social work, pastoral ministry, vocation ministry, and technical occupations.

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5. Religious Sisters

Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia in Nashville, Tennessee

Who they are

A religious sister is a woman who has answered a call from God to live her life dedicated to spreading the Gospel message of love of God, love of self, and love of one another. She does this through the particular charism or gift of her religious community.

Are all sisters alike? No. Yet there are some common elements. While the specifics may differ from congregation to congregation, a sister is about building community, deepening her relationship with God, and ministering to others through her work. She does this through her efforts to listen to God’s continual call in obedience, to live life in a simple manner, and to be a loving presence as expressed through her commitment to celibacy.

What they do

A sister may work in a variety of ministries, depending on her community’s mission and charism. Or, if she belongs to an enclosed community, she may work within her monastery providing necessary services there. Being a sister is not about what one does, however. Rather, it is a way of life, a way of being.

A sister is a woman who continues to respond to God’s call, a call to become more like God by dedicating herself to prayer, her sisters, and the work of her community. A sister is a woman who loves deeply, caring for the needs of those around her–her family, her community members, those to whom and with whom she ministers, and the world at large. Through the specific charism of her community, a sister brings to those she serves another view of the face of Christ. She strives to be that presence of Christ in all she does and in all she is.

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6. Secular Institutes

“Your light must shine before men so that they may see goodness in your acts and give praise to your heavenly Father” Mt 5:16.

“A Secular Institute is an institute of consecrated life in which the faithful, living in this world, strive for the perfection of charity and endeavor to work for the sanctification of the world from within.” (Code of Canon Law, 1983)

Who they are

A vocation to a Secular Institute involves a form of life relatively new in the Roman Catholic Church. It is open to single lay women and men or diocesan clerics who feel called by the Holy Spirit to consecrate their lives to God more intensely through vows or promises of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

What they do

Like a Third Order Franciscan, members of Secular Institutes witness to Christ and spread the Good News of the Gospel by striving to live as a transforming presence, or “leaven,” in contemporary society, endeavoring to restore all things in Christ while living in their own residence and engaging in the employment of their choice. Their entire lifestyle of prayer, work, and social activities becomes their apostolate.

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Below you will find free downloads of planning guides to help Priests and Youth Ministers host Life Nights or Bible Studies about Vocations for teenagers. Teens, if your church doesn’t ever talk about teens trying to figure out what they’re going to be when they grow up, download these resources and email them to your parish priest. You can usually find his email address on your church’s website. Skip to:

1. True Life | Holy Orders: The Vocation of Holy Orders
2. A Marriage Made in Heaven
3. For Better or Worse: The Vocation of Marriage
4. Vocations Bible Study
5. Parent Life, Beyond the Cradle

1. True Life | Holy Orders: The Vocation of Holy Orders

The goal of this Life Night is to understand the universal vocation of holiness and how each individual vocation flows from the call to holiness. This night will give the teens tools to discern their own vocation… The night opens with a “Choose Your Own Adventure” story. The teens will actively participate in the story based on their choices. The story leads into a teaching on the universal call to holiness as the foundation of all vocations. The teens will be given a time for personal assessment on their individual journey of holiness. Members of the community will share their witness of living out their vocations and give teens a few practical tools in discernment of their own vocation. The night ends with Eucharistic Adoration with the focus on heaven as the goal for all vocations.

Download: True Life | Holy Orders

2. A Marriage Made in Heaven

This Life Night will help teens understand why Holy Orders is a vocation and how the vocation is lived out. This night will also give teens a chance to hear the real life discernment stories of priests and deacons. Finally, this night will give teen practical ways to discern their vocation.

Download: A Marriage Made in Heaven

3. For Better or Worse: The Vocation of Marriage

This Life Night will look at the vocation of Marriage as a unique calling from God designed to mirror Christ’s love for the Church. The teens will understand that the grace of the Sacrament gives couples the ability to live holy, lifelong Marriages. Finally, this night will look specifically at dating relationships as a foundation for discernment and Marriage preparation.

Download: For Better or Worse

4. Vocations Bible Study

This is an informative Bible study that allows the leader to interact heavily with teenagers.

Download: Vocations Bible Study

5. BONUS: Parent Life, Beyond the Cradle

The goal for this night is to get parents thinking and talking about the challenges and blessings of raising Catholic teens today. This night will help parents identify their own strengths as a Catholic parent, identify the challenges they currently have and share in the blessings that being Catholic brings. They will also be reminded of their vocation to be a parent.

Download:  Parent Life | Beyond the Cradle

A diocesan priest can best be described as a PARISH PRIEST. Diocesan priests also serve in a variety of other capacities such as campus ministers, teachers or chaplains for hospitals, or prisons, but basically they are the priest who minister to the day-to-day needs of people in parishes. He is called a Diocesan priest because he commits himself to the service of God’s people within a definite geographical area called a diocese. A diocesan priest can expect to minister somewhere within the various counties which make up the Diocese.

2. Why would someone become a priest?

Everyone looks for meaning and fulfillment in life. Many people serve God and find meaning and joy in the vocation of marriage. Others follow Him in the single state or religious life but some men feel called to a different kind of service to the Lord’s Priesthood in a special way of serving the Catholic Community as its leader in prayer and worship and service.

3. What do priests do?

The ministry of a priest will depend somewhat upon his particular interests and skills. A diocesan (or parish) priest spends much of his time in preparation for and in the celebration of the sacraments (Eucharist, Penance, Baptism, Marriage, Annointing of the Sick, etc). Each day some time is set aside for personal, private prayer. Visiting the sick, visiting people in their homes and working with the various parish and neighborhood organizations are all part of his ministry. The parish priest must also be available to people when they have special needs. He is frequently involved in individual counseling, (marriage problems, parent-teenager problems, drug problems, or just life in general). Like anyone else, a priest must also find some time for rest and relaxation when he can do things he enjoys.

4. Who qualifies to become a priest?

A single man with average intelligence, emotional stability and sincere interest may qualify for the priesthood. He must have an interest in people and in trying to make the world a better place through priestly ministry. He should also be a person who is generous and looking for the challenge that comes with following the Lord Jesus Christ and His Church.

5. How long does it take to become a priest?

For a man considering the possibility of priesthood he must have four years of high school, four years of college, one year of spirituality and four years of graduate study (Theology) and then be called by the Bishop to Ordination. You might feel that this is a long period of time but when preparing for any other profession (doctor, lawyer) it also takes a long time. A man must be fully prepared to minister to the people of the Church.

6. Are there programs available for an older man considering the possibility of becoming a priest?

If you are a man older than college age and are considering the priesthood then you should contact the Diocesan Vocation Director. Most dioceses have programs for older men who are seriously reflecting upon the Lord’s call to priesthood.

Are you curious about the seminary? Answers to Your Questions about the Seminary

Are you confused about your future? Get answers by taking time to write in your journal.

There’s a lot of pressure when you’re young to know what you will do with the rest of your life. People are always asking what you want to do when you grow up. Although the world likes to organize your future by job title–doctor, lawyer, accountant–we Catholics see things differently. Some people are called to be single, others are called to be married, and still others are called to the priesthood or religious life.

So guys, has the thought ever crossed your mind that you might be called to be a priest or a brother? Ladies, have you felt the tug towards the sisterhood? If you answered “yes”, then maybe it’s time to take steps towards finding out if this is for real. So grab your journal and take an hour alone in your room or at the chapel. Commit to writing honest answers to these questions:

1. Imagine Jesus looking you in the eye, calling you by your first name, and saying, “What is it you really want?” Spend time with the question. Tell Jesus all that you hope for in life. Then spend time listening to His response to your dreams. (What is the desire of your heart?)
2. Imagine yourself five or ten years from now. Do you want to continue in life as you are now? Imagine yourself as a vowed religious or as a priest ten years from now.
3. Fantasize by going through an entire day in your future as a religious brother, sister, or priest. Visualize yourself doing what they does. How does your gut react to this exercise?
4. What is the most satisfying part of your week? What does that say about you?
5. What was the last major decision you made about your life? How did you come to that decision? Was it a good one? What can you learn from that experience about your vocation discernment?
6. Make a list of all the reasons it wouldn’t be a good idea for you to become a religious sister, brother, or priest. Then make a list of all the reasons why it would be good! Which one weighs more? Bring the list before God in prayer and listen.
7. What advice would you give someone in your shoes regarding a vocation as a priest or as a religious? Do you take your own advice?
8. Reflect on religious sisters and/or brothers/sisters who have been mentors for you. Which qualities would you like to imitate if you were called?

Once you’re done with these questions, don’t just toss the journal in your closet and forget about it. Keep it close to you in times of prayer so you can scribble your thoughts. Let this journal be an ongoing conversation with God.

If through it all you feel like maybe God’s calling you to be a priest or a nun, don’t be afraid to take the next step. Have the courage to call the Vocations Director of your diocese. They’re job is not to “recruit you” into becoming a priest or nun, but their job is to help you discern what God has in store for you. No pressure!

Always remember, God only wants what is best for you. So don’t be afraid of saying “yes” to Him.

This Sunday is the end of Lost, ABC’s hit TV show about 48 people who end up stranded on a mysterious island in the South Pacific Ocean after their plane crashes. The passengers of Oceanic Flight 815 soon find out that the island holds mysterious powers. Over the past six seasons, viewers have patiently waited for the answers to questions: what is the island and why are these people stuck there?

I’ve only started watching Lost since February, but as you might have guessed I’ve become a big fan. Through mini-Lost marathons, I’ve finally caught up with the millions of fans for the last two episodes that air this week. As I eagerly anticipate the ending of Lost, I wanted to share five themes of the show that have resonated with me as a Catholic.

1. Mystery

   If there’s one theme of Lost that gets people caught up in the show, it’s mystery. Like any good sci-fi or action story, Lost succeeds in its story telling by not telling the whole story. Mystery is also a core component of our lives. We know the beginning and the end of the story. Our God has given us life and wants us to be in relationship with Him. God is revealing a beautiful story in our lives; we don’t see everything, and that’s a good thing. We won’t be able to explain every question that comes along, but we know the Truth and the ending of the story.

2. Community

   48 passengers survived the Oceanic 815 crash. When the hope of rescue faded, the survivors could only rely upon each other. Their only hope for survival was to trust each other. In our lives, community can take a lot of shapes and forms. It’s our family, our Church, our friends, our schoolmates, and our teammates. Community is not a choice; it’s a necessity. Community gives us a place to love others and to be loved by them in return.

3. Loss

   Lost is a show about people being lost in their life. They are isolated on an island and they are alone in their relationships before coming to the island. Feeling lost at times is a part of life, but God desires for you to be found, to be in His embrace, to know His love. Whenever you feel lost, run back to God. He will never leave you alone or abandoned.

4. Vocation

   There is a desire by every character on Lost to find meaning and purpose in their lives and the mysterious island seems to offer some answers. As the show closes, the characters will have to face a choice: have faith that there is a purpose to the island or keep trying to get off the island. You also may wonder why you are here, what purpose you have in this life, and how you are called to love. For some of you, the answers might be clear and the response to God’s invitation may be easy. For others, you might need your whole life to figure out who you are. For each of us, the journey will look different. Prayer and discernment will help you make a free and conscious decision. Continue to believe that you were made for a purpose and that you are given the choice to love.

5. Redemption

   Lost’s main writers recently remarked, “if there’s one word that we keep coming back to it’s redemption.” No other theme in Lost is more important than redemption. Each character has been taken out of their old world to be redeemed and made whole. Each character’s journey towards redemption brings up the old wounds, but slowly they come to new life. We have been redeemed. We have been made new. This is the Good News. We die with Christ to be reborn in Him. If you find yourself lost or deep in sin, know that our God is always there to give you new life.

Lost has been an entertaining show to watch, but it’s not the Gospel. Our redemption comes from Christ, not from any philosophy or story. Sometimes, though, stories can help illuminate the true story of salvation. As I watch the final episodes of Lost, I know that this is just a story. True redemption is in Christ.