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CHAP, x.] The Vocation to the Priesthood. 189
IL
Marks of a Divine Vocation to the Sacerdotal State,
Let us now see what are the marks of a divine voca
tion to the sacerdotal state.
Nobility is not a mark of a divine vocation. To know,
says St. Jerome, whether a person should become the
guide of the people in what regards their eternal salva
tion, we must consider not nobility of blood, but sanctity
of life. 1 St. Gregory says the same: By one s con
duct, not by one s high birth, is one s vocation to be
proved."
2
Nor is the will of parents
a mark of a divine vo
cation. In inducing a child to take priesthood they
seek not his spiritual welfare, but their own interest,
and the advancement of the family.
many
mothers," says St. John Chrysostom, or the author of
the Imperfect Work, eyes only for the bodies of
their children and disdain their souls! To see them
happy here below is all that they desire; as for the
punishments that perhaps their children are to en
dure in the next life, they do not even think of
them." We must be ; persuaded, as Jesus Christ has
said, that with regard to the choice of a state of life we
have no enemies more dangerous than our own rela
tives. And a mans enemies shall be they of his own house
hold." Hence the Redeemer adds: He that loveth fathei
Principatum in populos, non sanguini deferendum, sed vitae."
In Tit. i.
2
"Quos dignos divina probet electio, secundum vitae, non generis
meritum."
3 "
Matres corpora natorum amant, animas contemnunt; desiderant
illos valere in saeculo isto, et non curant quid sint passuri
Horn. 35.
in alio."
4 "
Et mimici hominis, domesiici ejus."
Matt. x. 36.