Discerning Your Lay Catholic Vocation

By Betty Gravlin

Who Does God Want Me to Be? What is the Nature of Your Call to Service? How do I Grow in Holiness? This book gives some answers to those questions for those who are seeking a way to follow Christ more closely. It explains some Catholic spirituality that will help you along your journey.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Betty Gravlin
• Release date: Sep 6, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301870561

Betty Gravlin

Betty Gravlin is a cradle Catholic, married since 1985 to Bob. She is the mother of three adult children. She is a graduate of Ave Maria University Institute of Pastoral Theology, Southern Illinois University (MBA) and the University of Arkansas (BA in English). She writes from St. Louis, Missouri.

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Discerning Your Lay Catholic Vocation

Betty Gravlin

Copyright Page

Discerning Your Lay Catholic Vocation

Copyright © 2012, Betty J. Gravlin, St. Louis, MO,

Smashwords Edition, All rights reserved.

ISBN 9781301870561.

Table of Contents

The Importance of Lay Vocations

Who Does God Want Me to Be?

The Goal Of The Spiritual Life Is Holiness

The Sacraments are the Means of Growing in Holiness

What is the Nature of Your Call to Service?

Corporal Works of Mercy

Spiritual Works of Mercy

St. Ignatius and the Spiritual Exercises

Other Resources

The Stages of Death and Dying Applied to a Vocational Choice

"O Lord my God, also bestow upon me understanding to know You, zeal to seek You, wisdom to find You, a life that is pleasing to You, unshakable perseverance, and a hope that will one day take hold of You." — St. Thomas Aquinas

The Importance of Lay Vocations

The Vatican II document, The Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity (Apostolicam Actuositatem), article 6 says, There are innumerable opportunities open to the laity for the exercise of their apostolate of evangelization and sanctification. There are many lay faithful involved in the corporal works of mercy, such as corporal works of mercy to the poor, the pro-life apostolate, instructing the youth, and ministry to seniors. Each parish should have adult faith activities for spiritual development needed for the laity to assume their responsibility for spreading the Gospel or responding to the call to holiness.

The Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity says that by our Baptism and Confirmation, we have the responsibility to be one of the fellow workers for the truth to promote the mission of the Church as it pertains to the salvation of men. With the ministry of the Word and the sacraments, the laity also have their very important roles to fulfill. In Body of Christ where there are different roles, but a common mission. The Paul VI Institute classes offer some preparation for teaching adults.

Apostolicam Actuositatem, article 6 also says, The very testimony of their [laity] Christian life and good works done in a supernatural spirit have the power to draw men to belief and to God; for the Lord says, Even so let your light shine before men in order that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Matt. 5:16). However, an apostolate of this kind does not consist only in the witness of one's way of life; a true apostle looks for opportunities to announce Christ by words addressed either to non-believers with a view to leading them to faith, or to the faithful with a view to instructing, strengthening, and encouraging them to a more fervent life. For the charity of Christ impels us (2 Cor. 5:14). The words of the Apostle should echo in all hearts, Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel (1 Cor. 9:16)."

Apostolicam Actuositatem goes on to say, The pastors of the Church should gladly and gratefully welcome these lay persons and make sure that the demands of justice, equity, and charity relative to their status be satisfied to the fullest extent, particularly as regards proper support for them and their families. They should also take care to provide for these lay people the necessary formation, spiritual consolation, and incentive. [AA 22] The apostolate can attain its maximum effectiveness only through a diversified and thorough formation. This is demanded not only by the continuous spiritual and doctrinal progress of the lay person himself but also by the accommodation of his activity to circumstances varying according to the affairs, persons, and duties involved. [AA 28] Teachers and educators… should be equipped with that learning and pedagogical skill that are needed for imparting such education effectively. [AA 30] Since formation for the apostolate cannot consist in merely theoretical instruction, from the beginning of their formation the laity should gradually and prudently learn how to view, judge and do all things in the light of faith as well as to develop and improve themselves along with others through doing, thereby entering into active service to the Church. [AA 29] No project, however, may claim the name Catholic unless it has obtained the consent of the lawful Church authority." [AA 24]

Blessed Pope John Paul II issued a call to a new evangelization to spread the Gospel in his Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio Ineunte 40.

This passion will not fail to stir in the Church a new sense of mission, which cannot be left to a group of specialists" but must involve the responsibility of all the members of the People of God. Those who have come into genuine contact with Christ cannot keep him for themselves, they must proclaim him. A new apostolic outreach is needed, which will be lived as the everyday commitment of Christian communities and groups. This should be done however with the respect due to the different paths of different people and with sensitivity to