Part of my role as a vocation director is to accompany young adults at such events as vocation fairs or ralies at Catholic Campus Ministry programs. I recently was invited to participate in a day-long Vocation Rally at CCM of Howard University in Washington, DC. What a great turn out of young adults not only from Howard U, but from Catholic University as well. A numbe of vocation directors participated and provided a number of talks on discernment, ministry, prayer, understanding one’s calling and religious life.
We began praise and worship and the music was lively and uplifting as we sang praise to God. We broke down into groups as well to share on some fairly tough questions related to practicing one’s faith and what one hopes for in exploring a vocation. The sharing was honest and frank as students grappled with personal life experiences. We ended the day with a beautiful liturgy that would nourish the soul of anyone. The day was organized by CCM students and Sr. Barbara from the SHCJ.
Sister Pat Dowling, CBS and Sister Barbara Barker, SHCJ with student from Catholic Campus Ministry of Howard University (Wash DC)
Understanding one’s vocation begins with an open spirit to know God and prayer is the way to understanding. God’s most basic desire for us is our happiness in life – that is a happiness which leads us to our truest selves. Perhaps you hunger for something more than how you are presently living your life. Ask yourself, what do you want to do with your life? Perhaps you hunger for spirituality and feel passionate about service and making a difference in the world. Theologian Frederick Buechner says, “A vocation is the place where your deep gladness meets the world’s ddepest needs.” There is more to life than the materialiasm and success that the world tries to push on us. Allow yourself to be awakened by a greater vision that God may have for you. Allow your faith to inform your life. Perhaps God may even be asking more of you – perhaps, God may be calling you to be his heart and hands in the world as a Catholic vowed sister in religious life. The world needs women and men who are filled with a passion for God and a passion to make this a better world.
Ask God what you can do for him, ask others what you can do for God, it was the few who made the difference. Imagine it!
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Tags: become a nun, catholic campus ministry, catholic nuns, catholic sister, Howard University, Religious Life, sisters of bon secours, Vocation Rally, Vocations
