The word vocation is derived from the Latin vocare, "to call". A religious vocation is an invitation from Our Blessed Lord to dedicate one's life entirely to the practice of virtue in His service.
Holy Scripture relates the story of a young man who came to Our Lord in search of the means to eternal life. Christ instructed him to observe the commandments. But when the young man wished to do more, "Jesus looking on him, loved him, and said to him: 'One thing is wanting to thee: go, sell what thou hast, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." Our Lord invited the young man to leave the world and all his worldly possessions in order to dedicate his life to the service of God. This was a sacred calling, or vocation.
In discerning a religious vocation, the candidate will find the following points to be helpful:
Am I free from the obligation to support others in the world?
Am I of sound health in both mind and body?
Do I wish to enter religious life from a desire to serve God and save my soul?
Please pray for an increase in religious vocations. "The harvest is great, but the laborers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send laborers into his harvest."