How do you know ...

[ragincajunjoe]

How do you know if you are being called to a vocation? I feel like God is calling me to something, but how do I know if I’m putting this thought in my head myself or if God is really calling me?

(Obviously, any vocation that I feel called to is still a long way off in the future because I am still going through RCIA … but I would still appreciate the question being answered).

 

[Seminarian_X]

The usual way it happens is, a brilliant light comes from the heavens and a loud voice says, “FOLLOW ME!”

Kidding. That’s a joke.

You need to talk to a good priest about it. He’ll help you discern. I stress a good priest. Not a bad priest.

And don’t tell your friends or family about it. Keep it to yourself for awhile. There have been many vocations killed by well-meaning friends and family members who discouraged it.

And, of course, prayer is always necessary.

 

[ragincajunjoe]

thank you for your advice …

(and that was hilarious about the clouds opening up … lol)

 

[BarbaraTherese]

How do you know if you are being called to a vocation? I feel like God is calling me to something, but how do I know if I’m putting this thought in my head myself or if God is really calling me?

(Obviously, any vocation that I feel called to is still a long way off in the future because I am still going through RCIA … but I would still appreciate the question being answered).

First, you have a desire to serve God in the priesthood or religious life and secondly, there are no impediments present. The next step is to seek out the particular Order (or seminary) that attracts you and make enquiries. If you are accepted then in most instances you can live the life without making any formal steps for up to three months. The next step if all that goes well is to actually enter and after that there are at least 2half to 3 years of focused discerning by both you and the Order you have entered before one actually makes a formal commitment.
Since all is Grace, each of the above steps are present or have been taken through Grace and an indication of the Grace of a vocation to the priesthood or religious life. These are the signs of a religious or priestly vocation.

Blessings…Barb