The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1917-09-01

ArcnDlSnOp.
Continued from page II
On Vacations Ecclesiastical
and Religious
is no impeachment in the way. Sucf
grace is for the individual the deter
mination in his favor of the call made
in a general way to all.
v. Practical Conclusion.
1t follows from this doctrine that
there is no need of brooding long
years over the question of ones voca
ton. The sincere and virtuous can
didate, we repeat, need not attempt to
read further the secret of the coun'
sells of God, nor look for other mani
fest hints of the divine will, or base
his or her vocation on the conviction
that in no other way he or she could
be happy here or attain salvation here
after Neither the ecclesiastical state
nor the religious profession is pro-
posed to us precisely as condition OF
salvation, and the mere fact, but at the
same time the great fact, that we have
been called to be Christians entities us
to listen to the highest call of the
Spirit of God. The time spent in ster-
lie brooding on Gods purposes in our
behalf would be more profitably spent
in earnest prayer for good will to
respond fully to the invitation of the
Holy Spirit. God gave also reason, and
enlightened good sense may be laud-
ably shown in selecting community
whose members are congenial and
whose special work is adapted to the
talents of the postulant. a
VI. Rules for Election.
But our good will alone is not
enough, there must be the will of the
Bishop or of the Superior of the COM
munity. The aforesaid decree gives
this criterion to Bishops: Nothing
more is required of the person to be
ordained, in order that he may be
called by the Bishop, than that he have
a right intention and such fitness OF
nature and grace as are evidenced in
integrity of life and sufficiency OF
learning, which will give well-found.
ed hope of his rightly discharging the
Office and obligations of the priest
hood" Religious superiors are guild
ed by their own rules and needs in &C
cepting a postulant. In one respect
that may be less exacting. than the
Bishop in calling to ordination; the
Bishop must exact the existence OF
virtue, while the superior may be con
tent with the hope of it. What, there
fore, is certain from these premises is
that any sincere person who after due
prayer and prudent examination pre-
sents himself or herself to the Bishop
or superior and is formally accepted
has been called and chosen of God
There can be no further doubt of sucf
ones vocation. If, however, for lacl
of decision on his part, or for lack o.
consent of authority, he is debarree
from orders or the religious profession
he is still called to live ''soberly, piously
and Justly in this world" Many con
strained, to live in the world NIGH
profitably, with the counsel of theil
confessor, make VOWS similar in spirit
to those of religious. Through Gods
providence no doubt, the great ma
jority will eventually remain in the
| world. But let them know at leas
that for most of them there is al
alternative before them.
VII. Motives tor Choice.
The way to a religious life, there
fore, in the first instance being ope1
to all Christians fit to enter it, ear
nest young Christian people should con
slider the motives which may hell
their choice. There is first of all ;
laudable self-interest for their owl
souls. Grave writer's have held that any
one who misses his vocation to thu
higher life will lose his soul. Witt
others we dissent from this rigid view
But although no one becomes reprobat
precisely because he overlooks a coun
sci, many may become reprobate OF
account of the pitfalls. from which. tn,
observance of the counsel would hav,
saved them. Many need the strengtl
that comes from vows and from tn
seclusion of religion. Left to them
selves and exposed to the many al
fractions, which the dizzy whirlpool o
worldliness throws out, they ar
drawn into the gulf. The strength
ening effect made on the will by re
| ligious vows cannot be gainsaid.
men in moments of weakness an
peril are able to dispel the enchant
ment of drink by the thought of thei
lpledge, how much more may they b
strengthened by solemn vows made t
God! Seclusion under .salutary rule
land with a deyout life adds a furthe
element of strength similar to that Q
which our Saviour spoke: II hav
meat to eat of which you know not.
1t begets an ardent zeal for ones ow,
and for others salvation.
| In the second place noble an
blessed ambition to improve tn
opportunities of the, present lif
for the sake of the life to com
may well stimulate the will to max
sacrifices now. HE who soweth spar
lingly shall reap sparingly and he VIII
soweth in blessings shall reap bless