Religious Life is but one form of Christian living and much of what is said in this book will apply to those who try to follow Christ in other walks of life. Nevertheless there are aspects of the life of the Religious which are unique; as there are for those who lead married lives or live alone outside of a Religious Order. This book tries to cover the basic facts of a life dedicated to God by the three vows of Religious poverty, celibacy and obedience. For this work to be useful it must draw attention to the problems of the everyday life of the Religious as well as to the deep happiness which is of the essence of a committed life.
The author has therefore given what he thinks to be an honest appraisal of Religious Life within the limits of this book, the basic aim of which is to challenge the Religious into saying: "If I am not happy I want to know the reason why!" In effect the book tries to answer directly and indirectly the question: "What is Vocation?"