I would encourage activities that prepare you to listen to the Lord. Some of these things I plan to do and some I did last weekend at a retreat.
- Lectio Divina: pick one of the Gospels and dedicate Lent to reading it slowly. Deepen your relationship with Jesus and also with yourself.
- If you are familiar with the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius, they are very good for bringing you to a point of decision. A little bit too structured for regular use IMO but when you really need to focus, they can be a blessing. If you can make the exercises formally at a retreat, even better!
- Make at least one really good confession. Ask the Lord to show you any sins, defects, or habits that might be keeping you from discerning properly. Preparing for confession can be a great aid to discernment.
- The pro and contra list. This is from the Spiritual Exercises. The way to do it is to make a list of things in favor of religious life vs your current state. Then the things not in favor. The important thing is to do it with yourself in mind not in general. Then do the opposite. Write a pro list for your current state and a con for entering religious life. Make it a dialogue with the Holy Spirit.
- If you have some inkling of the religious order or a form of religious life (apostolic, contemplative, monastic, etc), read some materials (books, rules, constitutions) and/or watch some videos on them if available. Make notes of things that attract you or don’t. Take them to prayer or lectio. Try to uncover the why of the attraction or repulsion.
- Make a day/half day of solitude. Pick a place you can go for a day retreat that will let you get away from your normal surroundings. Leave the distractions behind. If you can do this once a week, even better!
Before beginning any spiritual activity try this prayer or one of your own that expresses the similar sentiments:
Take, O Lord, and receive my entire
liberty, my memory, my
understanding and my whole will.
All that I am and all that I possess
You have given me: I surrender it
all to You to be disposed of according
to Your will. Give me only Your love
and Your grace; with these
I will be rich enough, and will desire
nothing more.
-St Ignatius
The important thing is to always express your desire to do his will.
I hope these ideas help.
God bless you and be assured of my prayers.
