www.vocation.com - Does 'vocation' mean the deepest desire of your heart?

	Michelle asks: Dear Fr. Bannon, A friend of mine has defined "vocation" to mean "the deepest desire of your heart". I believe that this definition speaks to one aspect of what a vocation is, but it seems inadequate. She argues that since the deepest desire of her heart has always been to be married and have children, and she hasn't any inclination to any other vocation, that she couldn't possibly have a vocation to the consecrated life or the religious life. I am unsure of how to answer her, as I see signs that she might be called to the consecrated life. Any thoughts? Thank you very much! In Christ, Michelle
	Dear Michelle in Christ, Your friend is right in a way, ("You have made us for yourself, Lord, and our souls are not at rest until they rest in you." St Augustine), but this does not specifically address the essence of a vocation, which is a "call". The word comes from the Latin for "to call". It is God's doing in our souls. Our deepest longing is not the defining element of the vocation; as a matter of fact it often turns out the other way around: we discover the real longings of our heart and soul when we discover our vocation. I know many who longed for marriage, but on perceiving a possible vocation and answering it, giving it a chance, they discovered a dimension to themselves that they didn't know was there, the profound spiritual dimension, and a capacity to correspond with total spiritual and practical love to a total call God was giving them. God bless.


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