All are called: “Why one exists’’

Most Catholics equate “vocations’’ with the priesthood. St. John Paul the Great — in his first trip to America 50 years ago — taught “Every person has a vocation in life and on this vocation lies a person’s greatness.’’

Fifty years ago, Orchard Lake brought the 49-year-old Karol Wojtyla to America as an “expert on Vatican II.’’ As pope nine years later, John Paul’s “Culture of Life’’ taught that each and every one of us is “unrepeatable’’ created by God with a unique identity with a unique mission and purpose.

Below is the complete text of John Paul’s September 23, 1969 Homily given to the Orchard Lake campus in Orchard Lake, Michigan, previously unavailable online:

The very last picture that Christ leaves us, at the foot of His cross is His mother and the most beloved student John. Jesus joins Mary and John together by the words He speaks to them.

He says to Mary: “Behold your son,” and then tells John, “Behold your mother.” That student was one of the twelve to whom Jesus had said: “Come, follow me.” That brief statement or its equivalent is found many times in the Gospel.

One outstanding incident when “Come, follow me” is used was when a youth asked how he could gain eternal life. But this was not the only incident. Many times throughout the Gospel, Christ used these words, not only to His own disciples, whose reproductions we see around the altar in this Shrine Chapel, but also to the multitudes of people.

Indeed, Christ came on earth to tell each and everyone of us: “Come, follow me.” That is a fundamental truth found in the New Testament. That is one of the main thoughts of the Second Vatican Council which teaches us about the vocation of every person.

The Council tells us that each person is individually called by God, and on this calling lies the indestructible word of the Gospel; in it Christ speaks to each and every person about his or her vocation in life. This is an eternal truth; this is an important fact for each and every person.

This is the truth that every person must perceive; he must be aware of the fact that he is “called.’’ And to be aware of the fact that “I am called” means to understand the whole reason for existence; it enables us to overcome the sensation of nothingness:

“To be called’’ means to know why one lives, why one exists. There is no greater anguish or absurdity for a person than not to have a proper knowledge of why he lives and what is his purpose here on earth.

Indeed, Christ came to tell all people that they are “called.” They are called because a Father loves them, and that Father wants them to enjoy eternity with Him in heaven.

We go through life by various roads and ways, we follow the inner voice which seems to guide each and every one of us; we go by way of a certain disposition which is inherent in each of us. We must, however, understand these things, interpret them. Once we know them, we must follow them.

Behold the truth of the Gospel: every person is called. The Second Vatican Council reminds us about this vocation in the “Constitution of the Church in the Modern World.’’ This basic truth is necessary to each one of us.

On this background of vocation in general, we find the specific vocation of certain people, people who were called to be especially close to Christ; this closeness is found in the special vocation to the priesthood or religious life. The closeness I speak about is the special love of Christ by which a priest or religious forfeits the love of the world, that love which is found in family life.

That closeness to Christ that I speak about is found in a very special way in the priesthood where a man is given the privilege of taking Christ’s place. This right belongs to the priest for life. At all times, the priest has the right to say: “This is my Body,’’ “This is my Blood,’’ thus saying the very words of Christ and with His same authority. And to tell people about Christ, my dear people, is a most special vocation to which one can be called.

The truth about a person’s vocation and especially about the priesthood must always be cultivated in the seminary. We cannot say the “walls of the seminary’ here at Orchard Lake, because this seminary has no walls, just simply trees and a lake which reminds me so much of my own territory of Krakow.

Orchard Lake consists of buildings in which you live. Orchard Lake consists of this Shrine Chapel which is and must be the heart of this whole institution. In this setting, my dear members of the Orchard Lake family, you can think about your vocation and for some, your special vocation to the priesthood. Everything is so arranged to help you hear and follow the voice of Christ who says “Follow Me.’’

Listen to this calling with your whole heart, mind and soul, and follow it through to the end. This is the mystery of Orchard Lake, this is the mystery which is found in all seminaries here and in Poland.

This mystery is based upon the fact that we here can settle the most important item of our spiritual life… the item of a vocation to serve God in the best way for Him and for us.

What should I wish you here today as a visitor from another continent and country where perhaps you yourselves might never travel physically but nevertheless think about and appreciate the spiritual heritage which your ancestors left you to pass on? What do I wish to share with you here today?

I wish, my dear friends, that you would understand two fundamental truths:

the first truth and most basic one is this, every person has a vocation in life and on this vocation lies a person’s greatness; the second truth is this: everyone of us has to comprehend his own personal vocation,and if Christ is calling you to serve Him as a priest, so that you could forgive sins and celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in His name, please do not look back, but continue to look forward and follow that special calling.

This is my wish to all of you. I wish it to all who in a small or large way work for Orchard Lake and make it what it is. Look forward and don’t turn around. Follow in your calling to the very end. I appeal especially to you, dear faculty members, whose task is to form the minds of your students; and I especially appeal to you, spiritual directors, whose task it is to form the souls of men. All of this has one cause, the cause of Orchard Lake and what it stands for.

And now, I return to the beginning of my homily. At the foot of the cross, Christ joined Mary to John when He said: “Behold, your Mother,’’ and “Behold, your Son.’’

I wish each and every one of you to be joined to Mary as Christ joined John to her so that Mary might help you better understand your vocation in life. That Mary is the same Mary that we in Poland look upon with unlimited hope and trust. We all look to Mary, and especially to those who are called to the priesthood should look to Mary for perseverance.

That Mary is the same Mary who told the servants at the wedding feast of Cana: “Do whatever He tells you to do.’’ If you do this then your vocation in life will be happy and successful. You will say with certainty: “I have been called.’’ “I will not wander.’’ “I have been called.’’

And the joy which you will experience will be a foretaste of the joy which you will have in heaven with God forever. AMEN.

Read more: 50 years after St. John Paul’s first plea to America.