Explore Your Vocation

Long associated with religious life, the word vocation, from the Latin vocare, “to call”—has become commonly used today to describe any deep, passionate commitment that gives meaning to one’s life. It applies to countless human endeavors, whether in paid work or in chosen lifestyles: teacher, doctor, writer, physicist, astronaut, musician… Yes, we are called to live passionately, that is the essence of vocation.

We offer a vocational ministry that supports a renewed vision of the Church, one more rooted in the common priesthood of all the baptized, and less clerical in tone, as encouraged by Pope Francis. It will take energy, a search for meaning, and a willingness to take risks.

While on internship at Université de Montréal at age 32, I would look out the window of my office and see Saint Joseph’s Oratory. One day, I felt the need to go. I bought a book about Father Basile Moreau, and was struck by the man, his response to prayer, his vision, his action, and his faith.

Wanting to become a lay associate of Holy Cross, I found in him and a few religious the beginnings of what became the Holy Cross Associates movement.

One day, I asked to be admitted to a seminary to become a priest. The reply I got was, “Go live a little first.” It was a shock but I accepted it as God’s will. I left Europe and came to Quebec. After a variety of jobs: volunteer in Quebec City, working with gay support groups, youth outreach worker, janitor, caregiver in a long-term care home. I faced several bouts of unemployment.

Eventually, in Montreal, after years of volunteering in community projects, I was invited to help found a program supporting young people in street prostitution. I worked there for five years. After that, I joined a project led by the Sisters of Holy Cross, D-Trois-Pierres, aimed at supporting young adults with no resources.

The desire to become a priest kept resurfacing. I tried the Grand Seminary in Montreal and explored with the Franciscans without success. So I said to God: “If you really want me to be a priest, you’ll have to figure it out.” A month later, two different people asked me, “Have you ever thought about the Holy Cross Fathers?”

Taking it as an answer to my prayer, I met with the provincial. He said: “We can simply invite you to take the risk with us.” I said, “All right.”

And that’s how I became a Holy Cross religious. It’s been a winding road—but I’m grateful to the Grand Seminary in Paris for telling me to go live. All those years before finding Holy Cross helped me become more human, more flexible.

Thank you, God, for writing straight with crooked lines!

That day, Gérard was excited. He was leaving to study abroad. He’d have his own place, no more family to tell him what to do or not do. In his case, it was a positive mindset, as his family tended to pressure him into choosing a high-paying career to make life easier. But deep down, he had other dreams.

He wanted to build a life where he could help improve the situations he found unjust or senseless. He wanted to give himself the time and the means to bring his vision for a better future to life.