Resources

Introduction

Thank you.

Thank you for your curiosity, and for your willingness to seek out information about vocations in general and your vocation in particular. If you are just starting on this journey, welcome - please don't be scared away by all the information presented here. There is a lot to learn, but that is the case for any path that will fill your whole life. 

You are not alone. Out ministry was founded with the explicit mission of helping people like you to find what, where, and how God is calling them to be, to do, and to love. While there are some general categories, your vocation is unique to you. God has called only one person in the world to be you, and that IS YOU. No one can make the decision to follow your vocation except you - no one can make the decision to follow your vocation for you.

The world 'Vocation' comes from the Latin word 'vocare,' which means 'to call.' Your vocation is literally the way that God is calling you to life and to love in this world so that you may be most happy with Him in the next. You are free to listen to that call, or to ignore it - God is not going to force you into a single box. Listening to the call from God to the vocation He has planned for you is better than trying to go it alone, but why would you want to go it alone?

If you have any questions, any concerns, are in need of help, or in need of prayer please contact us here and we will gladly do what we can. We understand that discernment can be anxiety inducing for some people  - know that we have been through this before, and we do understand.

Be assured of our prayers for you, for your discernment, and for your life in your vocation.

Ordained Priesthood

Each and every baptized person shares in the priestly, kingly, and prophetic office of Jesus Christ - every baptized person is a priest. Some people, however, are called to lay down their life and become a special kind of priest. These men are given the responsibility to put aside earthy ambition, to forsake wealth, family, and glory - all to become an alter Christus, another Christ. This is not some high and lofty position, but one that requires the man to become like Jesus - even to laying down his life for the Church. 

The Ordained Priesthood found in the Catholic Church comes directly from the Apostles (and, therefore, from Jesus) themselves. Jesus instituted the this vocation at the Last Supper on Holy Thursday when he instructed the 12 Apostles to "take this, all of you, and eat of it... for this is my body... and likewise the cup after supper saying, this is my blood" (Luke 22:19–20; Matthew 26:26–28; Mark 14:22–24; 1 Corinthians 11:23–25). To perform - or make present - a sacrifice is priestly act, and the Apostles understood this as such. This central action of the priest, to bring Jesus Christ physically into the world through the Holy Eucharist, is the most incredible responsibility ever given to humanity.

There are both Secular (in the world) Ordained Priests - which is what this section covers - and Religious (belonging to a religious order) Ordained Preists. Both participate in the Single Priesthood of Jesus Christ - and both have particular missions in that priesthood. Some are called to a life of dedicated prayer - to go away to a quite place and pray like Christ in the desert. And some are called to active mission in the world - to serve the poor, heal the sick, forgive sins, and lead the people of God in a visible way. 

Every single man is called to live out their baptismal priesthood daily. Every man is called to lay down his life for his friends, family, the Church, and for our savior. Every man man is called to live a life of prayer, to "pray unceasingly" (1 Thess 5:17) for the good of the world. Every man is called to bring those around himself to the altar of God, where they may be saved. You are called to be a priest, period. You only need to learn how far God is calling you to go.

1. 1. Vocation Ministry

      1. This ministry is the one which inspired the new wave of ministries founded by Bishop Burns. They are based out of Houston, and have helped numerous dioceses and parishes start ministries dedicated to helping people discern their vocations. They have videos, blogs, and book recommendations to help you on your journey.

   2. Diocese of Dallas Vocation Office

      1. The Diocese of Dallas, to which St. Jude's Catholic Church is a part, has an office dedicated to helping young men and women discern their vocations. For men who feel a call to more seriously discern a call to the ordained priesthood, this website contains information and contact for the staff in charge of this important mission. Feel free to reach out to them if you have any questions - it is there job to give you all the aid you need in this journey!

   3. Diocese of Dallas Discernment Survey

      1. Not sure which vocation you are called to? We are all called by the Universal Call to Holiness, and we each have a particular vocation (marriage, priesthood, religious life, single life, etc.). This survey, put out by the Diocese of Dallas, can help you make the first step towards learning about where you may be called.

   4. DioceseanPriest.com

      1. This website is filled with additional information, videos, and links that all contain relevant information on the topic of discerning a call to be a diocesan priest. Diocesan priests are the one you are probably the most familiar with - they are usually the priests that you find in Catholic parishes around the world - and they are called to serve a particular area (diocese) and the people that live there.

   5. United State Conference of Catholic Bishops Vocation Page

      1. With information for both men and women, this page is published by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. 

Women Religious

Under construction

Male Religious

Under construction

Holy Matrimony - Marriage

Consecrated Single Life

Under construction

Permanent Diaconate

Under construction