The 3 Callings of a Catholic

Each Catholic, no matter his age, has 3 callings which are obligations that must be fulfilled before God and the Church.

1. To know his faith:

One cannot claim to be a Catholic if he does not know his Catholic faith. He cannot live his Catholic faith if he does not know his Catholic faith. And he cannot share with others a spiritual life that is not first in his own life. (Catechism of the Catholic Church # 428-429)

2. To live his Catholic faith:

One's Catholic faith is not something to be ashamed of. It is not something to hide in the closet. It is a public thing. When you leave home, it goes with you wherever you go. (C.C.C. # 2472) 

Christ's teachings, your Catholic beliefs and practices go with you at school and at work. 

For example, politicians cannot vote for abortion and yet claim to be Catholic. 

When Catholics feel persecuted or rejected, remember the Words of Jesus: "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven." [Mt. 5:12]

3. To spread his Catholic faith:

What good is faith if we neglect the promise that we made during the Sacrament of Confirmation? "By the strength of the Holy Spirit," we were commanded "to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross." (C.C.C. # 1303)

Spreading the Catholic faith is not only the task of bishops, priests, religious brothers and sisters; it is the task of each and every Catholic. (C.C.C. # 905) 

Jesus told His apostles: "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." [Mt. 28:19–20] 

If we want to obey Jesus' command, we must follow Him through His Church. While this is a great challenge, it is a blessing to be called a child of God, a brother or sister of Jesus.