Discernment and vocation

Dear Editor, I particularly liked the piece by Gavan Kerrr on discernment and vocation in The Irish Catholic on September 24. It reminded me of the book Priestly Vocation by John Blowick, co-founder with Bishop Galvin, of the Society of St Columbanus (now based at Dalgan Park Navan.) Fr Blowick’s book was essentially based on La Vocation Sacerdotal by French priest, Joseph Lahitton. The French book caused a lot of controversy in its day (ca 1900). It was referred to Rome, but, in fact, got some praise there.

If Blowick’s book is right, and I think it is, then a great deal of talk about ‘discerning’ our calling in life is mistaken and, not surprisingly, unsuccessful.

Yours etc.,

Fr Colm  Burke,

Knock, Co. Mayo.