Mention the word vocation and many people think of the call to religious or consecrated life. But it?s more than that.
?Vocation comes from the word ?vocal?,? said Sister M. Rochelle Guertal, OSST, delegate for religious, Diocese of Cleveland. ?A person must hear the call to a vocation. It can mean marriage, single or consecrated life. You need to be open to God?s call.?
Most people will marry or remain single as their primary vocation, in addition to choosing a career. For those discerning a call to religious life, there are many things that must be considered prayerfully before making the decision.
In the eight-county diocese, more than 60 men are in formation for the priesthood at Borromeo and St. Mary seminaries. There are about 900 women religious, about 300 men religious (religious order priests and brothers), about 380 diocesan priests and more than 200 deacons.
Each discerned and then answered the call to a religious vocation.
Father Michael McCandless, vocation director for the diocese, handles many initial inquiries about religious vocations, especially for the priesthood. He said a prompt reply to open communication is critical.
?Typically, someone who makes an inquiry already has had a conversation with someone
