A Message from the Director of Vocations

Vocation and her calls are deeply planted (Cor 2:7) in the basic Christian understanding of the lived reality that God is a deeply loving Creator who united himself with our humanity in Jesus Christ so that we may know the Way, the Truth and the Life (Jn 14:6). Jesus Christ “in the very revelation of the mystery of the Father and of His love, fully reveals humanity to itself and brings to light its very high calling” (Gaudium et Spes, 22). In this humanity, that we all share, we are not just simply recipients of God’s action but collaborators and co-heirs with God and therefore are in need of that enabling Grace to reach the perfection which God desires for us. This desire is the adventure that Jesus wants for us. “Desire is the primary way that God leads people to discover who they are and what they are meant to do” (ABJB). And this desire is that attraction to Priesthood, Consecrated Life, Marriage or the Single State which helps one to discover vocation. Discover what you desire in life. And the expression of the desire for your life brings one into closer relationship with God. How to express this desire and discern it is paramount to the Christian vocation.

Desire enables us to discern how to make a difference with the gifts the Holy Spirit has given to each of us. However, you cannot as a Christian discern in a vacuum. You must be willing and able to admit others into your discernment process. This process will involve two things: firstly you will use your gifts through ministry at the service of the Church and others. Secondly, you will seek out and submit to other people’s experience of you and your gifts. These two areas are some of the most challenging aspects of the discernment process.

The discernment process is a purposeful stance looking at, understanding, entering into, and experiencing a particular vocation. One cannot discern from a distance – literally one needs to jump out of the boat and walk toward Jesus with faith and hope that they are hearing the Lord call their name in a particular way. The word discernment originally meant to “cut away”. The ability to intentionally and purposefully cut away all else so as to see clearly is discernment. Get out of the boat, grab the nets and God will make you fishers.

The Office of Vocations is a centre that wants to enable the gifts of God’s calling to come to realised fruit for you, the world and the Church. Please visit our site, use our resources, and contact us about discerning your vocation.

Your brother in Christ

Fr Morgan Batt

Vocations Director

Archdiocese of Brisbane

Click here for Fr Morgan Batt's biography