The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-01-22
LACK OF vocATloNs.

by interfering with the sa-
cred rights of their children in fol-
lowing the state of life to which
they are called, says the Pittsburgh
"Observer. When child has
acquired a reasonable age and has
done its utmost to be cautious in
choosing a partner for life, it has a
right to get married, unless circum-
stances forbid. Parents are some
times anxious to see their chill
dren married; they even hasten
the wedding day; they allow
their children to enter into this state
without proper advice and without
sufficient preparation. Many parents
seem to have no objection whatso-
ever when their child wishes to get
married, but let that child mention
that it desires to follow it's calling,
then Immediately these same parents
will do all in their power to persuade
the child not to follow the religious
vocation to which Almighty God has
given a call; You have not chosen
Me, but have chosen you (John
XIV, 49,
It is a lamentable fact to behold
the lack of vocations in America
This falling-off in vocations may be
attributed to the negligence Of par
ents in fostering them, and the care
lessness and excuses offered by many
who have the calling. Very often
parents are governed by worldly
motives in refusing to permit their
child to enter convent or seminary
The perishable goods of this world
often stand in the way. There are
always ways and means to help a
good cause along. Many priests and
well disposed lay people are only toe
willing to help a worthy candidate
Our Catholic colleges offer scholar
ships to deserving students. Still par
ents find excuses to offer.
Often the religious vocation is
formed at very early age. 1t is
said that many saints were already
formed in their mothers womb. Many
children have a calling to serve God
in a special manner. This can be seen
from observation But many par
ents, by the careless lives they lead
often cause the pure love of God
which children readily take to, to be
deadened in the innocent hearts by
their own attachment to earthly
goods and by exposing their children
to temptation instead of guarding
against it. AS a consequence, the
girls who were to be the spouses Of
the Most HigAsxand the boys whom
God called to BE His representatives
upon earth, are thrown headlong into
the ways of the world, which lead
them in later years, with few excep
lions, to become the scourge of their
parents sad mistake.
We find some parents, who other
wise appear to be good Catholics
offer no objection if the child gets
married, if it leaves home to gel
work and pay its board to strangers
but would never allow the child tC
enter the convent, to enter the semi
nary. History proves that children
hindered in their calling to the higher
life can seldom get along in the
world with the ordinary sgraces, aIlt
not being able to lay hold of the extra
ordinary graces which God has stored
away for them in the other state, be
come Respondent, restless wanderers
in a dreary world, robbed of theil
temporal and not infrequently Of theii
eternal happiness by their own de
luded parents. Ignorance, selfishness
|-obstinacy, greed of the ugliest colo
and nothing else-are mostly at thu
root of all.
Many who are called to a religious
state lose their vocations. The solemn
moment in the life of every youth is
when standing face to face with thu
question: '"What am / to do with m!
future life?" The answer eithe
means happiness or woe. A de6nit,
way in life is marked for every ont
Of us by Divine Providence from al
eternity. We have our own free vii
to walk upon this way or not. TIL,
world calls us to a life of ease ant
pleasure. Christ whispers softly We
distinctly: Come follow Me- Who's
invitation will be accepted?
st. Liguori says Not to follow clea
vocation is rarely free from sin, mucl
more so when a person is persuaded
that in the world he places himself il
danger of losing his soul by refusini
to follow his vocation"
Numerous objections are fount
amongst those who waver in follow
ing their calling; 4 may not pei
severe"-.I would break my parents
heart My health may break down
81 may be unhappy as a Sister, al
la priest Good people are ais
wanted in the world There is still
time Objections Of this kind sui
the tempter and help deplete the mum
Der of workers in the vineyard of tn,
Lord. 1.-THE harvest indeed is great
but the laborers few Luke X, 2.
Boys and girls, who feel that vol
have the calling, have you no noble
Ideals, no higher ambition, than t,
spend your days in pleasure ant
amusement, while your neighbors loo1
to you for help? Consider for on,
moment the great and holy work Il
which you are called the saving o
immortal souls. Often pray with th,
Psalmist: Zone thing have asked o
| the Lord, this will + seek after, that
may dwell in the house of the Lord al
1.-THE DAYS of my life" Ps. XVI, 4.