Suffering for vocations

Can we promote vocations through our suffering?

Most of us do not think of our lives as full of suffering, but the reality is that we have plenty of little things every day that we endure. It may be spilled coffee, or a bothersome co-worker; maybe a particularly needy child is trying your patience at home. In 10 seconds, you can probably come up with 10 things you have already suffered through today.

Sometimes we endure it well, and sometimes badly. But do we think about these little–or big–points of suffering as an opportunity to gain graces for those discerning a vocation to priesthood or consecrated life?

Redemptive suffering is a longstanding tradition in the Church, from our Lord’s acceptance of the cross as the supreme redemptive act of suffering to the humiliations, tortures and trials which the saints endured for their salvation and that of their brothers and sisters. God calls us to take a part in this, to willingly accept and offer up our own suffering in union with the Son of God for the good of souls.

While it is probably most common to offer up suffering for those in great need, consider that an increase in vocations to priesthood and consecrated life is also a great need. If we help more people to gain the grace of accepting and living their vocations in a consecrated way, many more of these grave needs will be met.

Let us promote vocations through redemptive suffering. Offer up your suffering as a sacrifice for our future priests, brothers and sisters–God will not be outdone in generosity!