A priest in the archdiocese often asks me when I see him, “Do you have a vocation?” He presided at one of the first Masses at which I preached as a deacon. My question to the assembly that day was whether they had a vocation. The word “vocation” often makes us think of a priestly or religious vocation. But we all have a vocation to holiness. The call to holiness arises from the sacrament of baptism that we have received. Our discernment as we journey through our youthful years is to determine what path God wants us to follow in order to serve Him and to grow in holiness. A path that seems to be less frequently chosen is that of priesthood and religious life. The road less travelled! As one person remarked that there are plenty of doctors, teachers, lawyers, electricians, plumbers, etc. But there are not enough clergy and religious to meet the needs of the Body of Christ, the Church. Saint John Paul II in his message for the 42 ^nd World Day of Prayer for Vocations said: “ Those who open their hearts to Christ will not only understand the mystery of their own existence, but also that of their own vocation; they will bear the abundant fruit of grace... Living the Gospel without adding to it, these Christians become always increasingly capable of loving in the way that Christ loved, and welcome the exhortation of Christ: "You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Mt 5,48). "... Trust Christ; listen attentively to his teachings, fix your eyes on his face, persevere in listening to his Word. Allow Him to focus your search and your aspirations, all your ideals and the desires of your heart.” Discerning God’s will for us regarding how we are to serve Him leads us on the path of abundant life. Jesus promised that in John 10:10: I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.
 
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