Dominican Sisters of the Immaculate Conception

Good spiritual counsel and thoughtful parents go far in helping a young person discern a calling to religious life or the priesthood, Pope Benedict XVI said at his Jan. 15 Sunday Angelus address.

“I would like to emphasize the critical role of spiritual guidance in the journey of faith and, in particular, in response to the vocation of special consecration for the service of God and his people,” the Pope said.

A “Big Brother” Important

“God’s call to follow Jesus more closely, giving up forming their own family to dedicate themselves to the great family of the Church, is normally done through the testimony and proposal from a ‘big brother,’ usually a priest.”

Also instrumental in the process, the Holy Father said, were parents, “who by their genuine faith and joyful married love, show children that it is beautiful and possible to build all your life on the love of God.”

The Pope spoke from his apartment high above St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican, and reflected how, in the reading of that day, the Gospel tells that John the Baptist identified Jesus as “the Lamb of God” on the banks of the River Jordan. Thus he acted in the “role of mediator,” leading two of his disciples to discern that they must now follow Christ.

Another mediator, as shown in the first reading of the day’s Mass, is the high priest Eli who advises Samuel that it is God, and not he who is calling him in the night. Samuel takes his advice and, on the fourth occasion of being called, replies, “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.”

The Pope concluded his comments by entrusting all educators, “especially priests and parents,” to the Virgin Mary as they help young people discern their vocation in life.

Read the complete article in the National Catholic Register.

Read also on this website, Formation With the Dominican Sisters.

The following is the voice-over for our new video of three quotes of Pope Benedict XVI about the consecrated life.

1) “Dear young people, if the Lord calls you to live more intimately at His service, respond generously. You may be certain: life dedicated to God is never spent in vain.”  (To young people in Italy, Sept. 8, 2007. Read entire address at Catholic Culture.)

2) “Today, as in all ages, there is no lack of generous souls ready to give up everyone and everything to embrace Christ and His Gospel, consecrating their existence to His service within communities characterized by enthusiasm, generosity and joy.” (Reflection on Consecrated Life, Feb. 17, 2008. Read entire address on Catholic Culture.)

3) “When we give ourselves to Christ, we receive a hundredfold in return. Yes, open wide the doors to Christ and you will find true life.” (Talk at World Youth Day, April 24, 2005. Read address on World Youth Day for Pilgrims.)

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Sr. Maria Vianney makes her first profession recently.

Take our “Seven Quick Questions” survey to see if you have a vocation as a Dominican Sister!

A Christmas present! Watch our new video and hear the words of Pope Benedict XVI to youth about the courageous way to follow Christ exclusively.

Video script: “Just as two thousand years ago Jesus called people to follow Him, today too young men and women are setting out at His call, attracted by Him and moved by a desire to devote their lives to serving the Church and helping others. They have the courage to follow Christ, and they want to be His witnesses…. following Christ means taking on ever more fully His mind and His way of life.” (Pope Benedict XVI, September 8, 2007)

Discover that God also speaks to your heart, and that His plans are full of peace and purpose. Take our “Seven Quick Questions” survey to see if you have a vocation as a Dominican Sister.