Religious Vocation: An Unnecessary Mystery

Many catholic christian people, men and women, may wonder if they have a vocation to ministry, pastor, priest, or sister (active or contemplative).This book helps to discern that. It explains, in general, what type of personality and habits would make the journey into serving easier. If you think you may be "called", and don't honestly even try this type of lie, you may miss where you would be most suitably of service (and happiest).After reading this, I wish I had read it 30 years ago when I was thinking about this type of vocation....I might have given it a try. I could have left before taking solemn vows if my destiny was elsewhere. But now I will never know what could have been. Don't let that happen to you.

This is mostly a scholarly treatment of Saint Thomas Aquinas writings on religious vocations. I would not recommend this unless you have a background in theology. If you are looking for a book on discernment to religious life try "Pray, Decide and Don't Worry" by Ascension press or "To save a Thousand Souls".

Good book.......tells you that God is not going to come in your dreams or tell you in some inner message whether you are being called or not. Remember, you have free will........you are going to make the call.....Read the book and it will help you see that you make the call.

I love the fact that this book makes clear to a muddled mind the glorious calling to a religious vocation. Fr. Butler makes the religious life seem not at all foreign. Highly recommend to anyone who is contemplating a religious vocation.

I like his style - very readable. He gives useful background and then gets into a nice, down-to-earth discussion.

This book, far from needing a theology degree, is for anyone discerning a vocation. It makes many excellent contributions to the subject of vocational discernment; most importantly, it dispels a myth that pops up over the centuries. In dispelling this discernment myth, Fr. Butler puts himself in the company of St. Thomas Aquinas and Pope Saint Pius X, both of whom dispelled the same myth in their time. I've given this book out to multiple friends for their children and their own formation so they can direct their children confidently. It's truly not a mystery, nor does it require any special message from the Hoy Spirit!!Blessings to all on your discernment!!Jim Albert

Clears up some of the ideas or misconception in regards to the religous vocation. Not a long read either. I read through this whenever there was a lull at work. There are quite a few fancy words in every chapter, but you'll be fine with a dictionary on hand.

Fantastic book for all considering the religious life. The word "vocation" is often seen by the young today as a vague thing. Fr. Butler addresses several of the misconceptions associated with this word in our modern society.

Excelente resumo teológico da doutrina tomista. Repetitivo num sentido didático, positivo, que te leva a inculcar os conceitos de forma racionamente estruturada, coerente.