Christian Brother Vocations on Social Media

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I remember back in the 1980s when I was struggling to discern my vocational path. It was only months after coming to faith and I was consumed with a desire to serve God, but had absolutely no idea what I was doing. I was immensely fortunate to have been offered an opportunity to present my conundrums to a wise and exceedingly kind Trappist monk. I can only imagine how this 20 year old college student, brimming with idealistic zeal, must have appeared to him!

I remember distinctly saying to him at the end of my personal history, “Okay, so my real question is, should I become a priest, a deacon, a monk, or should I marry?”

I wanted a simple, direct, and unambiguous answer from this holy guru that would not implicate me in any sort of misty ambiguity, nuanced thinking, or protracted discerning struggle. I guess I was really hoping for him to have a mystical locution.

And I’ll never ever forget his bizarre and deadly serious answer to my very clear question: “Yes.”

Dr Tom Neal, Professor, Notre Dame Seminary, New Orleans, Word on Fire Ministries