Religious vocation

«The word of the LORD came to me thus: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you». Jer 1: 4-5),

Consecration is a special gift that God gives to His Church and all humanity.

"All the faithful must understand that the greatest mercy that God makes a people to a city, is to give elected priests. Conversely, the greatest punishment with which almighty strikes the people is when they are deprived of His ministers or rather of ministers according to his heart. And the people must understand this thing. " (S. Hannibal M. de France)

The consecration is the total gift of oneself to God, not only to carry out their vocation, but for the good of everyone, so that others come to the final victory to the kingdom of heaven ...

A few years ago at the Seattle Special Olympics, nine athletes, all mentally or physically disabled were ready on the starting line of the 100 meters. The gun fired, the race began, not all running, but wanted to participate and win.
As they ran, a boy tripped and fell, did a few somersaults and he started crying. The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back. They stopped and came back, each of them. A girl with down syndrome sat beside him and began kissing him and saying, "Feeling better now?" Then, all nine embraced and walked toward the finish line. The whole crowd stood up, and the applause continued for several minutes.

People who were there still talk about it. Why? Because inside we know that the important thing in life is much more than winning for ourselves; the most important thing in life is helping others win ... and many, because God asks him, they do also withdrew having a family, putting all their time available to God and others. (Cf. 1 Cor 7:32 -35)

The monks, nuns, priests, indicate that followingJesus changes lives,sometimes even changing his name, and your face and makes men and women more real and free.

With their lives, the religious or the priest, tells us that God comesbefore everything else. Indeed, without detracting from the marriage sacrament of the Lord is good to also make young people understand the beauty of total consecration to God as taught by the Church with the decree on "The Priestly training," in which we read:

"Students ought rightly to acknowledge the duties and dignity of Christian matrimony, which is a sign of the love between Christ and the Church. Let them recognize, however, the surpassing excellence of virginity consecrated to Christ, so that with a maturely deliberate and generous choice they may consecrate themselves to the Lord by a complete gift of body and soul."(OPTATAM TOTIUS, No. 10 b)

Of course you should be aware that the situation of the sanctity of an individual depends not only in the vocation to which he belonged, but rather in honesty and integrity in which it is lived. Indeed there may be lay people who make more than a consecrated, not every religious consecration is a saint. There is no doubt that religious life for more opportunities to grow in holiness and all consecrated persons should be an example to follow, but the fact is that not always the case. This is not only humiliating, it's dangerous because we remember that thus saith the Lord: <<Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more» (Lk 12,48).

Perhaps regarding religious communities, each of many orders has a special gift, that is the gift that God do through the Holy Spirit at the founder of an order; this is a light that illuminates a particular aspect of the Gospel and makes service and for the Church.

The religious make the vow of poverty, castity and obedience, but all three in truth, can be summarized in a single vote, that of LOVE.

What is and what is not a religious vocation?

THE VOCATION IS:

· A mystery of love between God who calls man who answers in full freedom.

· A call to be intermediaries between God and men.

· A call to live in the world for the salvation of men, but without being in the world.

· The decision of a young man who wants to give his life to the service of others, to save souls and make this world as close as possible to what God had intended for our happiness.

THE VOCATION IS NOT ':

· A sentiment: usually they say: "I feel the calling". But in reality, the call can be heard. Better, and an inner certainty that comes from the grace of God that touches my soul and demands a free response. If God is calling you, certainty within you will grow more than you responded with generosity.

· A refuge for those who fear to face life.

· A career like any other.

So in conclusion this saith the Lord:

« 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).

« May the eyes of (your) hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones» (Eph 1,18)