Vocations, a call to holiness and service – for everyone

In a recent interview, Fr Kenwyn Sylvester, Vocations Director for the Catholic Church, shared his insights and personal journey into the priesthood during Vocations Awareness Month.

Fr Sylvester explored the origins of the word ‘vocation’ to highlight its deeper meaning within the Church. The term comes from the Latin word vocare, which means ‘to call’.

Fr Sylvester emphasised that this “calling” is not restricted to a specific group but is extended to everyone within the Christian community. He explained that from vocare, the Church also derives the word ecclesia, which translates to “church” or “community.”

Just as in Hebrews 5, the priest is called “out of the community” to serve, but Fr Sylvester added that this calling resonates with everyone. He stated, “all the baptised are called,” underscoring the universal nature of vocation as a call to holiness and service, whatever one’s state of life may be—whether in priesthood, religious life, or as a layperson.

This Latin root not only connects to the concept of being “called” but also speaks to the communal aspect of a vocation, reminding all members of the Church of their shared responsibility in discerning and responding to God’s will for their lives.

This rootedness in the language of calling and community reflects how vocations are understood within Catholic tradition: they are personal yet fundamentally tied to the larger mission and fellowship of the Church.

Fr Sylvester discussed the often mysterious nature of discerning a vocation. “Discernment,” he explained, “is the process by which you come to know what is God’s will for your life.”

For Fr Sylvester, discernment goes beyond simply discovering one’s purpose; it is about “discovering what God has placed in you” as a life purpose. He elaborated on the role of prayer, calling it essential in the process, as it helps individuals build a deep relationship with God, who gradually reveals His call for their lives.

Regarding the journey toward the priesthood, he explained that discernment is a mutual process between the individual and the Church. A seminarian’s formation includes not only personal reflection but also the Church’s guidance in fostering a “life-giving relationship with the Lord,” he said.

This relationship forms the foundation of a priest’s purpose and ministry, as Fr Sylvester noted, “if we are not in relationship with the Lord, in vain do we live our lives.”

Reflecting on his own journey, Fr Sylvester described how his initial attraction to church services and the Mass eventually stirred a deeper sense of purpose. He recalled that even though he had a successful career in accounting, he felt there was “something more” that God wanted for him.

His passion for the Mass and serving the Church gradually clarified his calling. “As I looked at these things that I like and I enjoy, I realised that God was pulling me or directing me to a different path—to priesthood.”

As Vocations Awareness Month encourages people to consider their spiritual calling, Fr Sylvester stressed the importance of beginning with a relationship with God.

“Teach young people to pray, and they will discover their vocation,” he quoted Pope Benedict XVI, underscoring that prayer is the foundation of finding one’s path.

For those who feel a calling to religious life, he invited them to reach out to the Office of Vocations (499-0302, vocations@catholictt.org), emphasising that the office supports not only priesthood aspirants but also those exploring paths as religious sisters, brothers, or lay consecrated members.

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