Question by Dennis Appiah-Sasraku, Accra:
My Lord, I have a concern I would like clarified. During Career Day in schools, I have noticed that some parents dress their children in chasubles, presenting the priesthood as a career. This has left me wondering: is the priesthood to be considered a career, or is it rather a vocation? Could you please explain the difference between a career and a vocation?
Answer by Bishop Joseph Osei-Bonsu:
Thank you for this important question. The distinction is crucial, and the sight of a child in a chasuble on Career Day is indeed a perfect opportunity to explore it. To understand the difference, we must first define our terms.
A career is the long-term path of a person’s professional life. It is a journey built upon education, training, talents, and interests, shaped by a sequence of jobs and experiences. Its focus is on growth, advancement, and the achievement of personal and professional goals. A career provides financial stability, a sense of identity, and a way to contribute to society. In essence, a career is about what you do in the world.
A vocation, from the Latin vocare meaning “to call”, is something far deeper. In the Catholic tradition, it is understood as a call from God to a specific way of life directed towards holiness and love. It is not merely a personal choice but a divine invitation to serve God and others through the unique gifts one has received.
Every baptized Christian shares in the universal vocation to holiness, which is the call to love God and neighbour and to live in friendship with him. Within this universal call, the Church recognises particular vocations through which people live out their discipleship. In the Catholic tradition, the main vocations are marriage, consecrated religious life, the ordained priesthood, and the dedicated single life.
Marriage is the most common vocation. In this sacramental covenant, a man and a woman unite in faithful, lifelong love, open to the gift of children and committed to helping one another and their family to grow in holiness. The ordained ministry, through the sacrament of Holy Orders, is a vocation for men called to serve as deacons, priests, or bishops, shepherding the faithful through preaching, teaching, the administration of the sacraments, and the provision of pastoral care. Consecrated life is another path, where men and women dedicate themselves entirely to God through vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, often in religious communities, becoming a visible witness to the Kingdom of Heaven. There is also the single life, chosen or embraced as a vocation, where individuals dedicate their freedom and talents to God and the service of others outside of marriage or formal consecration.
A vocation, then, is not primarily about personal achievement or fulfilment, though it often brings deep joy. It is about listening to God’s voice, discerning his will, and responding generously to his call. Therefore, a career shapes what you do, but a vocation transforms who you are. A career is chosen and pursued through one’s own efforts and ambition, while a vocation is a gift received – a call from God that one discerns and responds to with generosity.
The Priesthood: Vocation, Not Career
From this foundation, it is clear that the priesthood is not a career but a sacred vocation. A man does not simply choose to become a priest as he might choose a profession; he discerns a call from God, which is then confirmed by the Church.
While a priest may perform tasks that resemble jobs – teaching, administration, pastoral care – the essence of his life is sacramental and spiritual. Through the sacrament of Holy Orders, he is configured to Christ in a unique and permanent way, becoming alter Christus (another Christ). Ordination imprints an indelible mark on the soul, making him “Father” not just in role, but in identity. The purpose of a career is personal advancement and contribution to society; the purpose of a vocation, especially the priesthood, is the salvation of souls.
The Chasuble on Career Day
So, what are we to make of a child wearing a chasuble on Career Day? It is a gesture that can be both beautiful and slightly misleading. It is beautiful because it shows respect and admiration for the priesthood and may plant a seed of a vocation in a young heart. However, it can be misleading if it reduces the priesthood to just another profession. The chasuble is not a work uniform; it is a sacred vestment symbolizing the yoke of Christ and a call to sacrificial love.
Therefore, Career Day presents a valuable opportunity. It should not just present the priesthood as something one does, but as something one is called to be. It is a chance to introduce children to the profound concept of vocation – the idea that God may be calling them not just to a profession, but to a specific way of life in Christ.
In conclusion, while the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, a career and a vocation are distinct. One can have a career in law or medicine, yet a vocation for teaching or service. A career provides a living, but a vocation provides a reason for living. The priesthood belongs firmly and gloriously in the latter category.
| For further explanations or enquiries, you may contact the author, Most Rev. Joseph Osei-Bonsu, Emeritus Bishop of Konongo-Mampong, on this number: 0244488904, or on WhatsApp (with the same number). |