Early Discernent Question

[JS_Cortez]

I’m beginning to discern whether I have a vocation. I wondered when other people began this process did you seek out a spiritual director first or did you email/write to communities you were interested in first? If you wrote to communities first, what did you say?

What would be the best way to go about this?

Thanks.

 

[Catholic1954]

I would start with a spiritual director. They will help you discern if you really have a vocation and help you decide what sort of community would best fit your gifts and abilities in the service of God and His Church.

 

[DaughterOfMary6]

I was so new to the idea of vocational discernment, that I had no idea what a spiritual director was. I had just made a reversion to the faith the same time the call began, so I was sorta clueless. It took about 7 months to sum up the courage to write my first community and it was on the advice of a friend. I just wrote a quick email asking if I could attend the discernment retreat, and I filled out a form and went. I know, now, that the community I visited was not right for me, so I am continuing to look. I haven’t found a good spiritual director yet, though, after people gave me advice. I had an SD, but I stopped seeing him because the advice I received wasn’t sufficient. I am currently looking for a new one. I would recommend a spiritual director, but if you can’t find one, spend time in front of the Eucharist in Adoration as much as you can and develop a relationship with Our Blessed Mother like I did.