Catholic Online Forum

My darling wife and I are taking delight in watching our second eldest offer herself in a religious vocation (she is a Postulant in the Community of St John, so is early in the journey). We also have the joy of watching a nephew offer himself for the Priesthood (and has just entered a Diocesan seminary in Brisbane).

How and why? It is somewhat of a mystery! Our other 10 children have (so far at least) demonstrated no inclination to consider such a vocation and apparently no awareness of any calling to it. Our nephew's journey was not marked by a deeply faithful family life, and his siblings are arguably even less interested / open to the possibility themselves.

As I was praying in thanksgiving after Holy Communion today, I was struck by the wonder and mystery of it all. And for the rest of the day I found myself wondering how many parents in the COL family have experienced one or more of their children accepting the call from God to a religious or priestly vocation. I am not sure what I expect to hear in response .... I am curious about your reflections as parents on the how and why of it all I guess, and also on what it meant for you personally.

I for one am awestruck that one of my children shows such a beautiful depth of faith and thirst for God!

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Simon Archer
".....As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15)

And we are part of "... a people brought into unity from the unity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit." (Lumen Gentium article 4)

That is really, truly joyous, Simon. God bless them.

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Jeff Stevens

Simon,

So far, none of my children have expressed an interest. I do believe, however, that larger families offer an environment more conducive to vocations since, in order just to live under the same roof together, there is a greater need to practice self-sacrifice and to serve others.

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Dean
Most people's sense of history goes back to breakfast time - Benjamin Netanyahu