A
vocation, Latin for "calling", is a term for an occupation to which a person is specially drawn or for which they are suited, trained or qualified. Though now often used in secular contexts, the meanings of the term originated in
Christianity.
Senses of the word
The word "vocation" comes from the
Latin vocare, meaning "to call"; Its usage before the sixteenth century, referred firstly to the "call" by God to the individual, or
calling of all humankind to salvation, particularly in the
Vulgate, and more specifically to the "vocation to the
priesthood", which is still the usual sense in Roman Catholicism.
Martin Luther , followed by
John Calvin, placed a particular emphasis on vocations, or divine callings, as potentially including most secular occupations, though this idea was by no means new.
Calvinism developed complex ideas about different types of vocations of the first type, connected with the concepts of
Predestination,
Irresistible grace, and the elect. There are the
vocatio universalis, the
vocatio specialis, only extended to some. There were also complex distinctions between internal and external, and the "vocatio efficax" and "inefficax" types of callings.
Hyper-Calvinism, unusually, rejects the idea of a "universal call" to repent and believe, held by virtually all other Christian groups.
In Protestantism the call from God to devote one's life to him by joining the
clergy is often covered by the English equivalent term "
call", whereas in Roman Catholicism "vocation" is still used.
Concept
The idea of vocation is central to the Christian belief that God has created each person with gifts and talents oriented toward specific purposes and a way of life. Particularly in the
Orthodox and
Catholic Churches, this idea of vocation is especially associated with a divine call to service to the Church and humanity through particular vocational life commitments such as marriage to a particular person, consecration as a religious, ordination to priestly ministry in the Church and even a holy life as a single person. In the broader sense, Christian vocation includes the use of ones gifts in their profession, family life, church and civic commitments for the sake of the greater common good.
Perceived lack of priestly and religious vocations
Religious vocations in the United States peaked during the early 1960s. Since then vocations to religious life and priestly ordination have been declining back to earlier levels. Religious communities have risen over the centuries to meet particular needs, and many orders have died out as their missions were complete or their ministries absorbed by other communities or institutions.
Conservative Catholic author Michael S. Rose, cites a number of reasons for a perceived priest shortage. One of the more interesting reasons is that Catholic bishops have manufactured an artificial vocations "crisis" by rejecting candidates who do not embrace the bishops 1960s style "modern" theology. Seminary candidates who are interested in traditional elements of worship (i.e. Tridentine Mass, Gregorian Chant, etc.) or traditional theology (celibate, male, priesthood, sin, confession, etc.) are deemed to be anti-Vatican II and are summarily dismissed from consideration.
The
Instruction Concerning the Criteria for the Discernment of Vocations with regard to Persons with Homosexual Tendencies in view of their Admission to the Seminary and to Holy Orders, a Vatican document published in November 2005 by the Congregation for Catholic Education, stated that that the church "cannot admit to the seminary or to holy orders those who practice homosexuality, present deep-seated homosexual tendencies or support the so-called 'gay culture.'" The long-awaited instruction caused much controversy particularly because of its release in the wake of the sex-abuse scandal. The instruction itself made no direct connection between priest pedophilia and homosexuality.
Renewed interest in Catholic religious vocations
Several recent surveys have shown an increased interest in religious life in the United States (See the http://www.vocation-network.org/articles/show/186 Annual VocationMatch.com Vocation Trends Surveys). Men's and women's religious communities are reporting an increase in inquiries about religious life. A number of factors account for this trend, including technological advances that allow for easier access to information, spiritual renewal among younger Catholics, desire for community, and second career vocations.
The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) is currently conducting a study on trends in religious life to be released in the fall of 2009.
Modern vocational examples
Many forms of humanitarian campaigning, such as work for organisations such as
Amnesty International and
Greenpeace can also be considered vocations.
The emerging church movement, Catholic social thought, and an increased interest in reformation thought has renewed interest in the Christian idea of vocation. Another aspect of vocation is working through how to define/discuss/and revitalize the importance of vocational thought not defined by an official church body. Several books have discussed this topic as well as the Catholic Church has defined the calling of the worker in
Laborem Exercens.
Literary clarification of the term
These books have attempted to define or clarify the term
vocation.
- A Theology of the Laity by Hendrik Kraemer ISBN 9781573830317
- The Fabric of this World by Lee Hardy ISBN 9780802802989
- Your Work Matters to God by Doug Sherman and William Hendricks ISBN 9780891093725
- The Call by Os Guinness ISBN 9780849944376
- The Preaching Life by Barbara Brown Taylor ISBN 9781561010745
- Let Your Life Speak by Parker J. Palmer ISBN 9780787947354
- Lay People in the Church: A Study for a Theology of the Laity by Yves M.J. Congar, O.P. Translated by Donald Attwater 1959
- Luther on Vocation by Gustaf Wingren 1957
- God at Work: Your Christian Vocation in All of Life by Gene Edward Veith, Jr. ISBN 1-58134-403-1
See also
