Q. 993.  What name is given to this divine call and how can we discover this call?  A. This divine call is named a vocation to the priestly or religious life.  We can discover it in our constant inclination to such a life from the pure and holy motive of serving God better in it, together with our fitness for it, or, at least, our ability to prepare for it, also in our true piety and mastery over our sinful passions and unlawful desires.

Q. 994.  How should we finally determine our vocation?  A. We should finally determine our vocation:  (1) By leading a holy life that we may be more worthy of it; (2) By praying to the Holy Ghost for light on the subject; (3) By seeking the advice of holy and prudent persons and above all of our confessor.

Q. 995.  What should parents and guardians bear in mind with regard to their children’s vocations?  A. Parents and guardians should bear in mind with regard to their children’s vocations:  (1) That it is their duty to aid their children to discover their vocation; (2) That it is sinful for them to resist the Will of God by endeavoring to turn their children from their true vocation or to prevent them from following it by placing obstacles in their way, and, worst of all, to urge them to enter a state of life to which they have not been divinely called; (3) That in giving their advice they should be guided only by the future good and happiness of their children and not by any selfish or worldly motive which may lead to the loss of souls.

Q. 996. {280} How should Christians look upon the priests of the Church?  A. Christians should look upon the priests of the Church as the messengers of God and the dispensers of His mysteries.

Q. 997.  How do we know that the priests of the Church are the messengers of God?  A. We know that the priests of the Church are the messengers of God, because Christ said to His apostles, and through them to their successors:  “As the Father hath sent Me, I also send you”; that is to say, to preach the true religion, to administer the Sacraments, to offer Sacrifice, and to do all manner of good for the salvation of souls.

Q. 998.  When did the priests of the Church receive this threefold power to preach, to forgive sins and to consecrate bread and wine?  A. The priests of the Church received this three-fold power to preach, to forgive sins and to consecrate bread and wine, when Christ said to them, through the apostles:  “Go teach all nations”; “Whose sins you shall forgive they are forgiven,” and “Do this for a commemoration of Me.”

Q. 999.  Why should we show great respect to the priests and bishops of the Church?  A. We should show great respect to the priests and bishops of the Church:  (1) Because they are the representatives of Christ upon earth, and (2) Because they administer the Sacraments without which we cannot be saved.  Therefore, we should be most careful in what we do, say or think concerning God’s ministers.  To show our respect in proportion to their dignity, we address the priest as Reverend, the bishop as Right Reverend, the archbishop as Most Reverend, and the Pope as Holy Father.