Discerning the Call
Perhaps you’ve had some deeply personal experience of God. Perhaps you’ve served in the Church and found the experience to be fulfilling. Perhaps you’ve observed a Religious Sister, Brother or Priest who appears genuinely happy in his or her vocation. You’ve begun to wonder, “Is it possible that God is calling ME to the Consecrated Life?” How exactly does one “know?”
Knowing if you have a religious vocation comes from discernment, a process of prayer and probing that gradually uncovers the deepest desires planted by God in a person’s heart. The process of discernment varies by individual, but there are several common elements to all discernment:
- PRAYER. You have to pray faithfully to discern a religious calling. That means setting aside time each day to sit quietly with God and let the Lord slowly reveal the plan for your life. Attending Mass frequently, an hour of Eucharistic Adoration at least once a week and attending retreats and days of prayer really help.
- EXPLORATION. You have to ask questions, probe, investigate. Tell a Priest or Religious that you think you might have a call to the Consecrated Life. Ask them how they discerned God’s call in their life and if their vocation is fulfilling. Call the Office of Consecrated Life and learn about opportunities to visit a Religious Community or a Consecrated Virgin. Attend vocation retreat weekends. Be proactive as you explore the possibility of a vocation.
- GUIDANCE. You will need guidance as you discern a vocation. You will need someone to assess the movement of the Holy Spirit in your life. Ask a Priest to be your spiritual guide. Meet regularly, and let the Spirit speak to you through your spiritual guide.
If you do these three things faithfully — PRAY, EXPLORE and SEEK GUIDANCE — one day you will “know” in your heart if you are called to a religious vocation. Then, it will be time to ACT and respond to God’s call to live entirely for Him.
10 Elements of Discerning a Religious Vocation
To discern a vocation to the Religious or Consecrated Life, take time to pray and meditate in silence about your vocation, especially in front of the Blessed Sacrament. Allow Christ to speak to your heart and to reveal His will for you.
Find a spiritual director, somebody with whom you can be open and honest, who can help you to develop and deepen your relationship with God and to know yourself better.
Ask a priest, brother or sister in your local area to put you in touch with a vocation director.
Read up on consecrated religious life. Look at good literature on vocations and surf the Internet for more information.
Contact religious communities that interest you. Do not be afraid to ask questions or to request additional information on their history, apostolate or charism.
Deepen your relationship with God and know yourself better.
Visit those communities to which you may feel called. Many have regularly scheduled “Come and See” weekend visits or periodic vocation retreats that you can attend. Build a relationship with the one where you have a sense of “coming home.” Get involved in its discernment programs or apostolic activities. Pray with them and ask the Lord if this is for you.
Discuss your thoughts and feelings with your family and friends. God often uses other people to affirm a vocation or to help you see things in a different perspective.
Wait for the Lord. Discerning your vocation is a gradual process. Develop the virtues of patience and perseverance.
Respond to God’s grace. Do not be afraid to make a decision.
Remember, religious formation takes years to complete, and each step will help you grow and better understand and embrace your calling. Be not afraid to follow Christ! He will fulfill all your desires to lead you to live a holy life for Him!
10 Ways to Foster Your Child’s Vocation
- Pray for your child’s vocation
- Give your children stories of the saints
- Encourage your children to participate in a ministry at Mass
- Provide your child with role models
- Talk to your children about your vocation
- Pray as a family
- Encourage your child to join a youth group
- Watch films with your children which have meaningful messages about vocation
- Encourage your child to gain a healthy Christian understanding of their sexuality
- Speak to the RE coordinator at your child’s school about organizing a ‘vocations forum’
Source: Vocation Center Archdiocese of Sydney, Vocation Coordinator’s Resource Kit