The Contemporary Catholic Teacher: A Reappraisal of the Concept of Teaching as a Vocation in the Catholic Christian Context

In exploring the concept of teaching as a vocation in Christian tradition, this book aims to articulate the essential interconnectedness between four elements: Christ as the foundation of Christian vocation – biblical perspectives, focusing particularly on the concepts of discipleship, emulation and charism The way in which that vocation has developed within Christian tradition – historical perspectives focusing on two Religious Orders Current critical scholarship concerning teaching as a vocation Vocation demonstrated in the perceptions and motivations of practitioners The research findings were then analysed in the light of the literature review and this was followed by a chapter in which conclusions were reached, structured around the principal elements of both the literature review and the empirical research. Based on these conclusions, a series of recommendations are put forward. focusing primarily on the maintenance of formation programmes both at Diocesan and Religious Order level, the challenge to address the complementary aspects of Christian vocation such as family commitments and the necessity to explore further what might be meant by ‘integrity of life’.