Is there an end to your discernment?

[Sister_Helena]

Discernment is a wonderful and necessary process. I’m talking about all kinds of discernment: lay and religious vocations, marriage, single life, career, etc. But when does discernment end and “leap in faith” begins? One can be discerning forever and not really find what they are looking for! When ideals are too high, one may end up not satisfied with anything. Information is good but when is it enough? Sometimes the challenge of searching can become an end in itself. Answering a vocation, especially religious vocation, will always mean taking risks. Life is an adventure.

 

[MusicaDonumDei]

Well, I’m just joining the Church, so if I don’t know what I’m talking about then let me know

As for me, I would see the difference between discernment and “leap of faith” as the same as the difference between listening to God and then acting upon His will. To someone who is discerning forever and not finding what they are looking for, I might humbly suggest that what the person is looking for may not be what God wants. And I might also consider that someone who is discerning forever and thus listening to God may have already heard what God has said, but not liked the message…and is listening for a new one. I hope this is somewhat relevant and helpful, but let me know if I’m speaking above my paygrade, as it were

With prayers for you,

Jonathan

Discernment is a wonderful and necessary process. I’m talking about all kinds of discernment: lay and religious vocations, marriage, single life, career, etc. But when does discernment end and “leap in faith” begins? One can be discerning forever and not really find what they are looking for! When ideals are too high, one may end up not satisfied with anything. Information is good but when is it enough? Sometimes the challenge of searching can become an end in itself. Answering a vocation, especially religious vocation, will always mean taking risks. Life is an adventure.

 

[Anlar]

Hopefully

 

[Sister_Helena]

Well, I’m just joining the Church, so if I don’t know what I’m talking about then let me know

As for me, I would see the difference between discernment and “leap of faith” as the same as the difference between listening to God and then acting upon His will. To someone who is discerning forever and not finding what they are looking for, I might humbly suggest that what the person is looking for may not be what God wants. And I might also consider that someone who is discerning forever and thus listening to God may have already heard what God has said, but not liked the message…and is listening for a new one. I hope this is somewhat relevant and helpful, but let me know if I’m speaking above my paygrade, as it were

With prayers for you,

Jonathan

I think you expressed it well. that is what I mean. We can be overly cautious and sure. there is nothing wrong of course with that until it becomes a hindrance more than a help.
Thanks Jonathan!

 

[MusicaDonumDei]

I know in my own case, I have often spent too much time talking to God and not enough time listening to God. That’s when I go to Adoration without a prayerbook, or Rosary, or breviary, or anything else noisy and just sit in the presence of our Lord. We (meaning mostly myself ) just can’t seem to let go of control; instead when we claim to be wanting to deny our will in order to fulfill God’s, we try to take control of even that process. Once we’re able to stop fighting God about figuring out a vocation, it might be easier to hear His voice. Anyway, just my thoughts

I think you expressed it well. that is what I mean. We can be overly cautious and sure. there is nothing wrong of course with that until it becomes a hindrance more than a help.
Thanks Jonathan!

 

[Sister_Helena]

Since some of you have been already praying and discerning hard about your possible vocation (maybe for a long time now?), what have you heard so far? Have you acted on it or are you just going to look for more vocation threads to do more chatting about it?

 

[Inity]

I’m making many steps towards the vocation, and most of them are related to finances. For me it’s clear that I have a vocation to Dominican Order, but I have no options in Russia (“thanks” to these age limits that make a 33-years old feeling herself like a old woman!)… so, I’m going for discerment journey with live-ins in another countries. And this requires money. Lots of money. For visas, tickets, insuranes, etc.
To be able to live in poverty, I actually have to make much money first! Isn’t that funny?
There are several communities I’m definitely visiting (and I’ve made contat with them already), and some other in my list that I want to contact when I’d be in the destination country already. There would be a tough part of seeking the community that will agree to accept someone from Russia…
I’m also taking the language courses (Italian), because I’m probably going to Italian or UK community. Language is a question - I can’t join a community in Germany or France, for example, because I don’t know the language absolutely. But I’m ok with english, and italian is easy to learn, based on my knowledge of latin.
Eastern european languages just scare me.

And, if everything will be working as planned, I will celebrate st.Dominic’s feast in Bologna this year. Any dominican soul can understand what an event would it be!

I love many other Orders (I love Carmel and Franciscans very much), but my greatest love is Order of Preachers. I can’t imagine myself joining another Order.
So, I’m working… and, I just don’t share online much, preferring private conversations and prayer requests.
But, now, if you made me to speak, shouldn’t you mention my discernment in your prayers?

Most often, I don’t just pray “O Lord, let me know my vocation” - but “O Lord, please give me the Dominican vocation”…

 

[Sister_Helena]

I’m making many steps towards the vocation, and most of them are related to finances. For me it’s clear that I have a vocation to Dominican Order, but I have no options in Russia (“thanks” to these age limits that make a 33-years old feeling herself like a old woman!)… so, I’m going for discerment journey with live-ins in another countries. And this requires money. Lots of money. For visas, tickets, insuranes, etc.
To be able to live in poverty, I actually have to make much money first! Isn’t that funny?
There are several communities I’m definitely visiting (and I’ve made contat with them already), and some other in my list that I want to contact when I’d be in the destination country already. There would be a tough part of seeking the community that will agree to accept someone from Russia…
I’m also taking the language courses (Italian), because I’m probably going to Italian or UK community. Language is a question - I can’t join a community in Germany or France, for example, because I don’t know the language absolutely. But I’m ok with english, and italian is easy to learn, based on my knowledge of latin.
Eastern european languages just scare me.

And, if everything will be working as planned, I will celebrate st.Dominic’s feast in Bologna this year. Any dominican soul can understand what an event would it be!

I love many other Orders (I love Carmel and Franciscans very much), but my greatest love is Order of Preachers. I can’t imagine myself joining another Order.
So, I’m working… and, I just don’t share online much, preferring private conversations and prayer requests.
But, now, if you made me to speak, shouldn’t you mention my discernment in your prayers?

Most often, I don’t just pray “O Lord, let me know my vocation” - but “O Lord, please give me the Dominican vocation”…

Excellent job!! I am so happy for you! I will definitely pray for you!!

 

[Inity]

Thank you a lot!
I may tell you more about my discernment and what I encounter on my journey, in private messages, if you would like to talk with me.

The old story, how st.Dominic came to my life and actually saved me from death - is on my site here.

 

[Sister_Helena]

Thank you a lot!
I may tell you more about my discernment and what I encounter on my journey, in private messages, if you would like to talk with me.

The old story, how st.Dominic came to my life and actually saved me from death - is on my site here.

Sure!