Different Callings
There are many different callings, including
A Sister is a woman who:
- Is committed to sharing in the life and mission of a religious community.
- Lives a vow of poverty, living simply and sharing her personal gifts, time and resources with others.
- Lives a vow of chastity, living celibacy as an expression of her love of Jesus and all people, but not in an exclusive relationship.
- Lives a vow of obedience, living attentive to God's call through prayer and other people.
- Lives a life of faith and prayer so as to grow in her relationship with God.
- May serve as a missionary to people of other cultures.
- May serve in education, health care, parish, youth ministry, spirituality, aged care, pastoral ministry, social work, and as a contemplative.
- May be commissioned by her community to serve wherever there is any need, especially among those who are poor.
Read more about Sisters.
A Brother is a man who:
- Is committed to sharing in the life and mission of a religious community.
- Lives a vow of poverty, living simply and sharing his personal gifts, time and resources with others.
- Lives a vow of chastity, living celibacy as an expression of his love of Jesus and all people, but not in an exclusive relationship.
- Lives a vow of obedience, living attentive to God's call through prayer and other people.
- Lives a life of faith and prayer so as to grow in his relationship with God.
- May serve as a missionary to people of other cultures.
- May serve in education, health care, youth ministry, social work, spirituality, media, pastoral care, and as a contemplative.
- May be commissioned by his community to serve wherever there is any need, especially among those who are poor.
Read more about Brothers.
A Priest is a man who:
- Is an ordained minister of the Church.
- Proclaims and preaches the Good News and teaches the Catholic faith.
- Lives a life of faith and prayer so as to grow in his relationship with God.
- Leads the Catholic community at worship and ministers the sacraments.
- Works to build up parish and other Church communities.
- May serve as a chaplain to universities, hospitals, prisons, schools, the armed forces, mariners, and industry.
- Is a diocesan priest, promises celibacy for the sake of God's Kingdom, and obedience to his bishop.
- If a religious order priest, vows poverty, chastity and obedience in a religious community.
Read more about Religious Priests and Diocesan Priests.
A deacon is a man who:
- Is an ordained minister of the Church.
- May live a vow of faithful love to a spouse through the sacrament of marriage, or may have promised celibacy for the sake of God's Kingdom.
- Assists the bishop of his diocese, to whom he has made a promise of obedience, and may assist priests in their parish ministry.
- Lives a life of faith and prayer so as to grow in his relationship with God.
- Proclaims and preaches the Good News.
- Serves and cares for those who are poor, or wherever the needs of the Church or people are greatest.
- Ministers at baptisms and funerals, witnesses marriages, and assists at worship.
- May be full-time or part-time in his Church ministry.
Read more about Deacons.
A single person is a man or woman who:
- Has come to believe that the solitude of being single is the true and right way to faithfully live their baptismal call.
- Lives Christian values alone, with family or with others who are single.
- Lives a life of faith and prayer so as to grow in their relationship with God.
- May serve the parish community as lector, catechist, musician, liturgist, minister of Eucharist, in care and welfare groups, and on committees.
- May serve the Church community in ministries such as social work, health care, education, and lay missionary work, and the wider community wherever time, personal talents, resources and responsibilities allow.
- May be able to devote time and energy to the service of others, especially those most in need.
Read more about Consecrated Singles.
A married person is a woman or man who:
- Shares a relationship with a spouse which is self-giving, love-giving and life-giving.
- Lives a vow of faithful love to a spouse through the sacrament of marriage.
- Is committed to helping husband or wife grow to human and Christian maturity.
- Lives a life of faith and prayer so as to grow in their relationship with God.
- Seeks to form a family home.
- With husband or wife are the first teachers of their children in Christian faith and values.
- May serve the parish community as lector, catechist, musician, liturgist, minister of Eucharist, in care and welfare groups, and on committees.
- May serve the Church community in ministries such as social work, health care, education, and lay missionary work, and the wider community wherever time, personal talents, resources and family responsibilities allow.
