dignity and burden of a priest; I desire to see you lead a pious life within the walls of a convent."
Thus does the call of God sound in the ears of all men in innumerably different ways. One hears the call in his own heart from his childhood days; another hears it for the first time when the moment of decision arrives. God calls one suddenly by some extraordinary event, others again, and the greater number, by the force of circumstances and environment.
3. How immensely important therefore it is to recognize and follow this call of God. God made man to know Him, love Him, and serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him forever in heaven; this is the final goal and highest end of all men.
The commandments also are the same everywhere and for all men; but it is not everywhere and for all men equally difficult to keep these commandments. Therefore every state is not for every one, and every one can not reach heaven with the same facility in every state.
4. If you are not destined for life in the world, for matrimony, you will scarcely be able to save your soul in the married state, you will only succeed in doing so with great difficulty. On the other hand, if you are called to the matrimonial state, to remain unmarried would place a great obstacle in your heaven-ward way.
