Appendix. On Clerical Vocation

Notes near n. 1524, clerical vocation from Scripture (printed p. 218).

1 L. VI. 823. Cf. Conc. Pl. Balt. II. a. 108, 109. | 2 L. VI. 63-77. Concerning the drunkard n. 67. § Prob. 3. Cf. Vind. p. 778. Ed. 2a. T. II. p. 433. | 3 Hebr. 5. 4. | 4 Act. 1. 24. | 5 Joan. 10. 1. | 6 Ib. 15. 16.

Notes near n. 1524, signs of clerical vocation (printed p. 219).

1 Luc. 10. 2. | 2 23. 21. | 3 L. VI. 802. | 4 L. VI. 73. 802. | 5 I Tim. 5. 22. | 6 Dist. 24. c. 2. | 7 L. VI. 803.

1524. - I. The necessity of divine vocation is proved first of all from Sacred Scripture: Nor does anyone take the honor to himself, but he who is called by God, as Aaron was.³ - Hence the Apostles, in order that they might substitute another Apostle into the place of Judas the traitor, prayed thus to God: Thou, Lord, show whom thou hast chosen.⁴ Christ Himself said: He who does not enter by the door into the sheepfold is a thief and a robber; but he who enters by the door is the Shepherd of the sheep.⁵ - Again: You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.⁶ - Again: Pray ye the Lord of the harvest, that he send laborers into his harvest.¹ Therefore those who have not been called by God intrude themselves, and they themselves are those concerning whom the Lord says through Jeremiah: I was not sending the prophets, and they themselves were running.²

II. The chief signs of divine vocation to the ecclesiastical state are the following: fitting knowledge; probity of life; right intention, or the desire of devoting oneself to the divine glory and the salvation of souls.⁴

He who, without vocation explored from such signs, intrudes himself into the sacred ministry, or wishes to be enrolled in the Sacred Militia principally on account of human ends, as if he were going to live without care when he has arrived at cures, cannot be excused from great presumption and from grave fault, since he exposes himself to great danger of damnation. But Bishops commit themselves to greater danger who promote to Sacred Orders those not called, from that word of the Apostle: Impose hands quickly on no one, nor communicate in the sins of others.⁵ Hence in Canon Law it is prescribed that no one be ordained unless he has been proved.⁶

Quaer. What must be done by the Bishop, in order that he may sufficiently prove candidates for Sacred Orders?

Resp. Thus St. Alphonsus:² "For this proof to be sought by the Bishop, it is not enough that he himself know nothing evil about the one to be ordained, but he must be made certain concerning his positive probity, according to the sublimity of the grade to which he strives to ascend. ... In this matter Bishops in seeking this proof ought not to be content with the simple attestation of Pastors, who, led by human considerations, easily indulge Clerics in granting attestations of this kind, lest they draw upon themselves their hatred and that of their relatives; but besides, from others worthy of trust, by taking secret information, they must be made certain not only that the one to be initiated is not evil, ... but also that he is positively good, namely that he lives a spiritual life, is assiduous in the Churches, frequents the Sacraments and prayer, lives separated from secular persons, is accompanied by well-mannered companions, devotes himself to study, uses modest dress, etc."