Each of us has a specific vocation in life
God the Creator has gifted each and every one of us with a life plan on how our lives should unfold and be lived.
This life plan is the particular vocation that God has in mind for each and every one of us - spouse, parent, single, diocesan priest, missionary priest, religious. Whatever that vocation maybe, each baptized person is called to serve the one vocation of the universal Church: to proclaim Christ and His Gospel to the world.
We are all invited to discern how God wants us to live our lives and to be open in trust to this calling. This is our God given path to the deeper meaning of our lives, our road to holiness, happiness, our identity and genuine fulfilment in life.
A Particular Call - Columban Missionary Priesthood
“The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest” (Matt 9:37-38)
Priests receive a particular call from God to follow Him in a life of total dedication in service of the flock that has been entrusted to them. The vocation of a Columban Missionary Priest is to follow Christ and witness to Him: by crossing boundaries of geography, country, religion, race and culture; through interfaith dialogue and by standing with the poor and the exploited earth and by establishing, animating and nurturing the Church.
Our Vision - Called to Communion
“Columbans are a small, intercultural group, centred on the Eucharist, called to participate in God’s mission, crossing boundaries in communion for the life of the world, living and working in solidarity with the poor and exploited earth, engaged with the Chinese, Muslims and the unevangelized”
(General Assembly 2012 Document)
Discernment
'The Message of Pope Francis for the 51st World Day of Prayer for Vocations' (May 11, 2014), tells us that every vocation, whether it be marriage or the priesthood, requires an exodus - an exodus from oneself in order to centre one’s life on Christ and his Gospel.
“Pray, therefore, to the Lord of the Harvest to send labourers into his harvest” (Matt 9:38)
Is God calling you to the particular vocation of a Columban Missionary Priest? Have I heard that call to begin an exodus away from my own self towards Christ and become a Columban Missionary Priest? Does the life of a Columban Missionary Priest resonate with me? Is this the kind of life you would like to lead?
Discernment is getting in touch with your "inner self", your own deepest desires, which echo God's desires for you. It is where you feel most alive, where you find your deepest satisfaction. It is doing what you really want, becoming who you really are.
It is asking the Holy Spirit to guide, enlighten and strengthen us so as to be able to discern what our vocation in life is. It is asking the Holy Spirit for the strength to make the right decision in opting for one’s future.
Contact Us:
Fr Kelvin Barrett
Vocations Contact
Street Address
69 Woodland Street
Essendon VIC 3040
Australia
Postal Address
Columban Mission Centre
PO Box 752
Niddrie VIC 3042
Australia
Phone: +61 3 9375 9475
Fax: +61 3 9379 6040
Email: vocations@columban.org.au