for young women
Vol. 3, No. 2

VOCATION TO NEW LIFE

The Universe seeks diversity and each of us is gifted by that dynamic. The greatest gift we have is the gift of our uniqueness. "We hold a treasure in earthen vessels" (hymn), and the burning desire we have to be our SELF is the spark of the Spirit in us insisting that we give our life for the world. That desire is our challenge and mission in life- our Vocation! The poet Mary Oliver asks "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" From the day of our Baptism we are called to nurture this precious life and to live it as God invites us to.

Vocation is both desire and invitation. The desire is from our deepest being, wanting to live fully. As we listen attentively, the Spirit will reveal to each one of us what path of life will be best for us.

CALL TO RELIGIOUS LIFE

For me, to choose Religious Life was a response to an invitation to walk with Jesus in an intimate relationship of love, and in the service of my sisters and brothers.

I explored with a Community how that call and desire could be lived out. That was my challenge—to trust that, in living my call as a religious sister, Jesus would walk with me and others would meet Jesus in my presence and service to them. That would be my joy!

Sr. Janet Fraser, CSJ

CALL TO PRIESTHOOD

More than sixty years ago, as a student at Loyola High School in Montreal, I felt drawn to religious life because the devotion of my Jesuit teachers made such a deep impression on me. In their generous concern for our welfare, they mirrored the love of Christ for each one of us. When I applied to enter the Jesuit Order, my goal was to live out the ideal of "contemplation in action", to serve God and my neighbour wherever I was sent, whatever task I was given.

Fourteen years later, with my ordination to the priesthood, the call became more focused, became in fact a call within a call. As an ordained priest I could bring Christ to others in a special way, through the sacraments.

The call to personal holiness was still there, but the main way of communicating God's love to others was through the Eucharist and the other sacraments. It has been a rewarding forty-two years, both witnessing and participating in the ways in which our loving God reaches out to touch people.

Fr. Macdonald, SJ

CALL TO SINGLE LIFE

I experience the Single life as my true Vocation. I place my relationship with God and my baptismal calling at the center of my life. The single life offers me a certain freedom that others may not have. It allows me the division of time and energy among many people. For example, I am an active member of the Church, I am committed to a strong prayer life and to growth in holiness, I am an associate with the Sisters of St. Joseph. In this way I share in the particular Charism (Spirit-gift) of the Sisters of St. Joseph.

Susan Muto describes the single life well in her book, Celebrating the Single Life: A Spirituality for the Single Person in Today's World: "A vocation to the single life, like any other calling must be compatible with one's temperament and talents, with one's personal and social gifts and limits. We must feel that this calling is congenial with who we truly are."

Micheline Lim, CSJ Associate

CALL TO MARRIED LIFE

God calls people in different ways to further his kingdom in this world. Our response to God's call is to seek, through prayer, the best way to use our gifts and talents in his service. In my case, a call to married life appeared to be the best way to answer God's call. In the marriage relationship I share my life with someone whom I love, who loves me in return, and is also my own best critic. I am also able to develop my own talents in a loving and supportive relationship. The love we share, which has deeply enriched us, has resulted in four beautiful children who are unique in their own personal abilities, qualities, and talents.

The married state has brought us many blessings and marvelous joys, but has also caused us to travel some dark and difficult paths. Our faith in a God who loves us has helped us on our journey, and we have emerged from trials and sorrows with a greater respect and love for one another. Jesus showed us a love without boundaries, and that is how we in the married state, have to love.

I now see my vocation to married life as one that has been enriching, fulfilling, challenging, humbling, always prayer-filled, always interesting and always growing. I continue to look forward to more challenges in my chosen vocation.

Cathy Gallant

CHAT CORNER

Do you wonder how God is calling you?
Are you searching for your unique mission?
If you are interested in exploring these questions you are welcome to contact me.

Contact:
Sr. Thérèse Meunier
the more
3377 Bayview Ave.
Toronto, ON M2M 3S4
tmeunier@csj-to.ca
416-250-3105

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