Vocations Library
Vocations
by Rev. William Doyle, S.J. • “For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14)
About this Pamphlet
Why Fr. William Doyle, S.J., wrote this work.
After his ordination, Fr. William Doyle, S.J., found himself frequently consulted by young men and women seeking guidance regarding the priesthood and religious life. He soon realized that there was little he could place in their hands that was both sound in doctrine and accessible in length.
The available works were often too long, too technical, or too daunting for those at the beginning of discernment. This pamphlet was written to supply that need — to offer clear principles, supernatural encouragement, and practical counsel in a form that could be read prayerfully and with profit.
Fr. Doyle wrote not as a theorist, but as a priest, confessor, missionary, and spiritual director, drawing upon his pastoral experience and the teaching of the Church. His hope was that this little book might help souls respond generously to the call of Christ, and that none might be lost to God’s service for want of timely guidance or encouragement.
Written shortly before his death as a military chaplain during the Great War, this pamphlet reflects Fr. Doyle’s pastoral charity, clarity of thought, and deep concern for vocations in the Church.
Imprimatur
Nihil Obstat: Joannes Keane, S.J. — Cens. Theol. Dep.
Imprimi potest: Eduardus, Archiep. Dublinen., Dublini, Jan., 1928, Hiberniae Primas.
(Included for the reader’s reference.)
Why Fr. Doyle wrote this
“...there was nothing one could put into the hands of boys and girls to help them to a decision except ponderous volumes, which they could scarcely read...”
“...there are many splendid soldiers lost to Christ’s army for the want of a little help and encouragement...”
— Extract from a letter of Fr. William Doyle to his father, from the battlefield (July 25, 1917)
Read on this page
Imprimatur & Short Introduction
Nihil Obstat / Imprimi potest
Nihil Obstat: Joannes Keane, S.J. — Cens. Theol. Dep.
Imprimi potest: Eduardus, Archiep. Dublinen., Dublini, Jan., 1928, Hiberniae Primas.
Extract from a letter of Fr. William Doyle to his father
“You will be glad to know, as I was, that the 9th Edition (90,000 copies) of my little book ‘Vocation’ is rapidly being exhausted. After my ordination, when I began to be consulted on this important subject, I was struck by the fact that there was nothing one could put into the hands of boys and girls to help them to a decision except ponderous volumes, which they could scarcely read...”
“...It is consoling from time to time to receive letters from convents and religious houses, saying that some novice had come to them chiefly
through reading ‘Vocations’; for undoubtedly, there are many splendid soldiers lost to Christ’s army for the want of a little help and encouragement...”
— July 25, 1917
Chapter Guide (Quick Overview)
This booklet walks through the call of Christ, how vocations are recognized, and how to respond generously.
- 1. “Come, Follow Me.”
- 2. What is a Vocation?
- 3. Signs of a Vocation
- 4. Motives for Entering Religion
- 5. Should We Encourage Vocations?
- 6. Trying a Vocation
- 7. Deliberation
- 8. Age for Entering
- 9. Importance of Following a Vocation
- 10–11. Opposition & Objections
- 13–14. The Harvest of Souls & An Appeal
- Appendices: Definitions & Prayers
About the Author (Biographical Outline)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR (from his biography by Alfred O’Rahilly)
- 1873
Born in Dalkey, near Dublin (March 3).
- 1891
Entered the Jesuit novitiate after reading St. Alphonsus on the religious state.
- 1907
Ordained; appointed to mission work.
- 1908–1915
Gave 152 missions and retreats; renowned preacher, confessor, and spiritual director.
- 1915
WWI chaplain with the Irish Division (November).
- 1917
Killed at Ypres (August 15), serving heroically on the battlefield.
“The more I get to know God, the more inclined I feel to let Him work out things in His own way and time, and to go on peacefully, not troubling about anything.”
— Father William Doyle, S.J.
Selected Text Excerpts
1. “Come, Follow Me.”
“GOOD MASTER, what good shall I do that I may have life everlasting?” … “If thou wilt be perfect,” comes the answer, “go sell what thou hast and give to the poor, and come, follow Me.”
Nearly two thousand years have passed since then, but unceasingly that same Voice has been whispering in the ears of many: “One thing is yet wanting to you — come, follow Me.”
2. What is a Vocation?
In the first place, a vocation — a call to the Priesthood or Religious Life — is a free gift of God bestowed on those whom He selects: “You have not chosen Me… but I have chosen you.”
God will not force its acceptance on the soul, leaving it free to correspond with grace or reject it.
“Sweet and tender Lord! … from the days of my childhood my mind has sought for something with burning thirst…”
— Bl. Henry Suso (as quoted)
A True Vocation (short excerpt)
A genuine vocation is simply a firm and constant will desirous of serving God, in the manner and in the place to which He calls me… I do not say this wish should be exempt from all repugnance, difficulty, or distaste. Hence a vocation must not be considered false because he who feels himself called to the religious state no longer experiences the same sensible feeling which he had at first and that he even feels a repugnance and such a coldness that he thinks all is lost. It is enough that his will persevere in the resolution of not abandoning his first design. (St. Francis de Sales)
3. Signs of a Vocation (condensed list)
- Desire for a vocation and a conviction God is calling.
- Growing attraction for prayer and holy things.
- Sense of the world’s hollowness and danger of sin.
- Zeal for souls and desire to cooperate in salvation.
- Willingness to sacrifice and suffer for Christ.
(We can include the full 12-point list exactly as you posted, but formatted in a clean two-column grid for desktop and a neat stack on mobile.)
Appendix 1 — Definitions & Notions
Active life: religious devoted to spiritual and corporal works of mercy.
Contemplative life: religious devoted principally to prayer and meditation.
Cloister/enclosure: canonically reserved area of residence not transgressed by outsiders.
Novitiate: probation preparing to receive the rule and make profession.
Vows: deliberate, free promise made to God by virtue of religion.
Secular clergy: ordained priests who do not belong to any religious order or congregation; also called diocesan clergy.
Periods of seminary formation
A) Tonsure: entrance into the clerical state usually after the second year of philosophy.
B) Minor Orders: orders of Porter,Lector, Exorcist, & Acolyte.
C) Major Orders: orders of Subdiaconate & Diaconate; vow of celibacy for life and bound to recitation of Divine Office.
D) Priesthood: ordination to the priesthood.
Periods of religious life formation
A) Postulancy: usually from six to twelve months.
B) Novitiate: one to two years; habit received at the beginning.
C) Temporary Profession: vows for one, two, or three years at a time.
D) Perpetual Profession: vows for life.
Appendix 2 — Prayers relating to Vocations
Prayer for the Choice of a State of Life (Indulgence, 300 days, once a day, St. Pius X, May 6, 1905)
O my God, Thou who art the God of wisdom and of counsel, Thou who readest in my heart the sincere will to please thee alone, and to govern myself with regard to my choice of a state of life, entirely in conformity with Thy most holy desire; grant me, by the intercession of the most blessed virgin, my Mother, and of my holy patrons, especially of St. Joseph and St. Aloysius, the grace to know what state I ought to choose, and when to embrace it, so that in it I may be able to pursue and increase Thy glory, work out my salvation, and merit that heavenly reward which Thou hast promised to those who do Thy holy Will. Amen.
O Lord, grant unto Thy Church saintly priests and fervent religious. (300 days indulgence)
Send forth, O Lord, laborers into Thy harvest. (500 days indulgence)
O Mary Queen of the clergy, pray for us obtain for us many and holy priests. (300 days indulgence)
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Contact the Vocations Office
Vocations Office
Mater Dei Seminary
c/o Vocations Director
7745 Military Ave.
Omaha, NE 68134
Phone: (402) 571-4404
Email: Vocations Director