Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

As I was working on a presentation this week about Consecrated life, I could not help but think how often sisters, brothers, and priest are perceived as “The Ones” who have the call to holiness.   When in fact, it is through the sacrament of baptism that all have the call to holiness.   Despite a persons vocation they are called to answer their baptismal call to be holy, Christ like.   A person is called to share in the mission to serve and share God’s love and mercy. What could be more appropriate than the season of Lent to work on answering this baptismal call? When I think of being Christ like, I think of sacrifice.   Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice and died for our sins.   Sacrifices can bring about conversion and help us to seek and find what is holy and let go of what is not.   As Lent begins, I am thinking of what sacrifices I can make to lead me to be Christ like.   Make time for silence.   Make time for others despite a bu...

As I prepare for Lent this year, one phrase keeps coming into my mind: I want this to be “a Lent that matters.”   Yes, theoretically every Lent should matter, but this year feels different.   Perhaps because I’m in the midst of my canonical novitiate, I feel an extra draw to let this Lent be a truly holy and transformative time. This week I read an article entitled “ A Lent Where #BlackLivesMatter: 10 Ideas for Black History Month and the White Church .”   I’d highly recommend reading it; it’s challenging, relevant, and practical.   The point is this: Lent is about much, much more than giving up chocolate or facebook.   A good resolution will draw me outside myself and challenge me to transformation.   As a white Christian, part of that transformation is learning to listen (even when it’s hard… especially when it’s hard) to the stories of those who suffer on the flipside of my privilege. Some of Pope Francis’ tips for Lent really drive the point h...