DOMINICAN VOCATIONS
PROVINCE OF THE ASSUMPTION
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DOMINICAN VOCATIONS PROVINCE OF THE ASSUMPTION |
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Reflection
on Vocations for "The Dominican" (6 May 2006) |
Br Mannes Tellis, O.P. |
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News -------------------------- Welcome Benedict XVI Master -------------------------- History Introduction St Dominic's gift Australia --------------------------- Order Discernment Formation Dominican habit Novitiate Studentate --------------------------- Life Introduction Four pillars Apostolate --------------------------- People Dominican saints Our brethren --------------------------- Resources Lectio Divina Links Prayer Reading --------------------------- Site dedication |
"Good Shepherd" Sunday, 2006 What is a vocation? When I hear the word 'vocation', I am reminded of the word's Latin root vocare - to call. What is it we are called to? God calls us Christians to a specific way of being, and that is holiness. In the second Vatican Council document Lumen gentium, we see that "...in the Church, everyone whether belonging to the hierarchy, or being cared for by it, is called to holiness." This is our primary vocation. Just as there are many roads that lead to the city of Melbourne, so too there are many roads leading to personal sanctity. Married life, Priestly life, Religious life and committed Single life are the main highways to the state of holiness. This Sunday, which we call Good Shepherd Sunday, our attention is focused on the vocations to Priestly life and Religious life. Just as the Good Shepherd himself lays down his life for his sheep, so too the priest and religious are called by God and the Church to lay down their lives in the pastoral care of God's people. The Good Shepherd, that is Christ, is the exemplar for the priest and the religious alike in their respective lives of service. Jesus shows the priest and religious how to live, how to pray, and how to minister. The Good Shepherd knows his sheep and they know him. It is an important thing for the priest - that he knows his people. In knowing his people, it is hoped that he may minister to God's people effectively. As I walk the path of formation for priesthood, I have desired to know God's people. In the Parish, and in the rest of the Church through pastoral work at schools, on a St Vincent de Paul soup-van and even in the Dominican mission in the Solomon Islands, I have endeavoured to come to know God's people. Through coming to know Jesus as the Good Shepherd, we see the idea priest/religious. As a seminarian, I find it an awesome task to imitate him; a great challenge. I am always comforted that Jesus always assists us with his grace; he did great things with twelve ordinary men, and he continues to do great things with those whom he calls. May the Good Shepherd call many more to follow him for the life of the Church. |
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