Vocations Explained: Matrimony, Virginity, the Religious State and the Priesthood

This late 19th-century Catholic catechism presents a comprehensive framework for understanding life's highest calling. Drawing on scripture, theological tradition, and the authoritative teaching of the Church, Downing argues that every person receives a specific vocation from God, one that must be discovered through prayer, humility, and guidance from spiritual directors. The text examines four states of life in depth: matrimony as a sacred covenant, virginity as a dedicated offering to God, the religious life as a profound commitment to community and rule, and the priesthood as a unique participation in Christ's own mission. What gives the book its particular historical force is its institutional backing: approved by Cardinal Gibbons, Cardinal Satolli, five archbishops, and twenty-two bishops, it represents the unified voice of American Catholic hierarchy on questions of vocation. The work also addresses parents directly, urging them to recognize and nurture religious vocations in their children. For readers interested in understanding how late Victorian Catholicism conceived of human purpose and divine calling, this remains an essential document.