I’ve talked to a few men who have told me that their desire to become a priest came instantaneously in a moment of radical conversion. For the rest of us, though, I think the process is a little more gradual.
I guess it would be helpful to hear from all sides of the spectrum, from those just beginning to discern, those already in the process, and those who have found their vocation. For my part, I will try to help with the middle.
The first way I discerned God’s call in my life… well it really wasn’t a matter of my actions. It was really God coming to me and tapping me on the shoulder. A bunch. Starting with the grace of Confirmation. On the day of my Confirmation, I received a biography of St. Louis de Montfort (my confirmation patron saint). That was instrumental in leading me to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and asking for her intercession. Eventually, many people around the parish and such started telling me/my parents that I would make a great priest. I’m very grateful for that, because God knows that I need the encouragement of others to keep me going (sometimes too much so
).
After this, in a slow and gradual process, it became clear that I should start serious discernment. There was no BAM moment, or any instant when I suddenly realized anything. It just took time and prayer and the advice of others. Contacting the vocations director was a must, and if you haven’t already, you should definitely find someone knowledgeable and trustworthy to speak to.
Anyway, it really is not a complex subject. Our vocation is not so much a puzzle that needs to be “figured out,” as a simple plan that God has in store for us. We don’t need to agonize over every detail (I’m sure that will come later), we just need to objectively ask, “How is it that I can serve God to the fullest, and what does he want me to do about it?” It’s important that, at least at the beginning of discernment, we focus not on what will be difficult or scary, but rather only on the good that we will be doing for Christ and His Church. If God DOES want us to do something, then of course he will provide the grace for us, if we ask.
As for what you should do, I’ll try to give some concrete examples. Like I said before, find a person to help you discern, preferably one who has the particular vocation you may be leaning towards in your discernment. Also, spend time in silent prayer and try not to be distracted. You don’t need to think or speak, but just to put yourself in God’s presence and listen to God without any distractions. That’ll require closing off as many senses as you can, so closing your eyes is a plus. Go on some vocations retreats if you can–they’ve really been wonderful experiences for me. To be in a place where nobody knows you, it sort of frees you from any expectations that people may have of who you are. That really allows you to start fresh and be yourself without any pressures.
I went to a vocations retreat once and we had the honor of our bishop staying with us. Of course he had some excellent advice. One of the best things that he told us I think was this. When you feel that a certain vocation is so important that you can’t do anything else, that it is being true to yourself, then that’s what you should do. Now getting to that point, that’s another story.
But when you start imagining your future and all you can think about is living a religious vocation, that is usually a good sign. If it gives you joy to think about it, then really pray and figure out what is it that is making you joyful. If the reason is that you will be serving God and fulfilling your true calling, then that is a very good sign too.
Also, pray for openness to God’s will. Pray for
- knowledge of God’s will
- freedom to do God’s will (opportunity, means) and
- courage to do God’s will
Like Patrick said, remember that discernment is making tiny steps and trusting in God, not necessarily knowing the whole picture.
And don’t be tricked into thinking that a religious vocation is holier than a marital vocation! Be sure that you’re DISCERNING and not, you know,
discerning. Obviously, it totally defeats the purpose if you’re spending time looking into only one vocation. Pray and think about marriage
and religious life. There’s no discerning your way
out of a vocation.
Oo, and also, be patient in prayer. If you’ve been Catholic for a while, then of course you know that the answers to our prayers are not instantaneous or necessarily what we expect. Prayer isn’t magic, it doesn’t work according to our terms.
Um whoa. That turned out long.
Well, I will keep you in my prayers. Please keep me in yours!
God bless,
Koopa
