Two Views of Vocation: Blog Post from Leonie's Longing

[Gabriela]

On the differences between the Thomistic and Ignatian views of calling and the problems caused when we conflate them:

http://www.leonieslonging.org/two-views-of-vocation/

[Sr Mary Catharine OP]

Thanks for writing this article because the confusion on the different theologies of a religious vocation do cause problems for people.
I would say that I don't think that St. Thomas would say that leaving religious life is a "failure". If you read his other texts on religious life (which most people don't even know about) he specifically says that the grace of final perseverance is given only at profession. (In his day there was only Solemn profession. No temporary or simple vows.) "...in the eternal wisdom of God, He gives the resolution of entering the religious life to those whom he does not bestow the grace of perseverance."

Also, we have to be careful when reading what St. Thomas that we read it in the context of his time. Then, there was basically 1 year of novitiate and then solemn vows, not the long, drawn out, formation period we have today. In fact, the Dominican Friars still for the most part, have very short novitiates with no postulancy. So, when he talking about those who do not persevere he's talking about those who have left after making their profession.