The Disciples' Call: Theologies of Vocation from Scripture to the Present Day

Introduction \ Part 1: The History of the Theology of Vocation \ SCRIPTURAL. What theologies of vocation are to be found in the Bible? Rev Dr John Hemer \ MONASTIC. Did the desert fathers and mothers think they had what today we call a vocation? Rev Prof Richard Price \ THOMIST. 'The will to enter religious life does not need to be tested to see whether it is from God' (ST II-II 189:10): Can Aquinas' understanding of vocation still work? Rev Joseph Bolin \ IGNATIAN. What is the special contribution of the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius to vocation discernment? Sr Dr Gemma Simmonds \ REFORMATION. How did the Reformation develop the theology of vocation? Rev Dr David Hoyle \ MODERN CATHOLIC. 'The Irreducible Particularity of Christ' - Hans Urs von Balthasar and a Theology of Vocation. Sr Dr Gill Goulding, CJ \ Part 2: A Contemporary Theology of Vocation \ THE VOCATION OF THE CHURCH: 'The Sign We Give' - An Ecclesiology of Mission, Ministry, and Vocation. Rev Prof Richard Lennan \ ECCLESIAL VOCATIONS. Within the universal call to holiness, what is distinctive about vocations to the priesthood and the religious life? Sr Cathy Jones,ra \ MARITAL STATUS. How are marriage and the single life to be understood as vocations? How are they connected to the clerical state? Rev Yuriy Kolasa \ Part 3: A Contemporary Theology of Vocation \ THE PSYCHOLOGY OF VOCATION: How is the call of Christ heard today? Dr Peter Tyler \ THE CHURCH AND DISCERNMENT: What does the Church need to do to become a place of discernment for all? Rt Rev Christopher Jamison, OSB \ Bibliography \ Index

Fr Christopher Jamison, OSB, is Director of the National Office for Vocation, London, UK. He has written Finding Sanctuary; Finding Happiness [Orion] and writes a monthly column in The Tablet and does Pause for Thought on BBC Radio 2's Chris Evans Breakfast Show

This series of essays is eye-opening, mind-broadening and heart-expanding. It offers the reader a look into the rich tradition, history, and theology of vocation - lay, priestly, monastic, and religious - as well as consideration of the meaning of vocation in the present day. The essays tell a story of where we have been - looking to the times before and after the Second Vatican Council - and consider with well-reasoned ideas and thoughtful insights where we need to go in the future. We stand at a critical juncture in the history of the Church: these writings will foster a lively regard for Catholic faith. -- Abbot Gregory J. Polan, O.S.B., Conception Abbey, USA This fascinating book has something for everyone. Almost without exception, the chapters are beautifully written, scholarly but accessible to people who are not specialists. It explores how the life of every human being is a vocation, whose deepest meaning is to respond to God's call to love and freedom. It also suggests how each of us can discern what might be our particular way of realising this vocation, through marriage, religious life, priesthood or single life. I could not put it down. -- Fr Timothy Radcliffe O.P.