Official Church teachings on discernment

[matthias]

I am in the process of discerning a vocation to the priesthood. I am struggling however. I talk to so many seminarians and priests and it seems that the best they can describe discernment is either a feeling they have that God is calling them or it is a rational conclusion based on their desires and gifts.

What exactly is discernment. More importantly what isn’t discernment. And are there any official or semi-official teachings of the church on exactly what is or is not a discerned vocation.

I can see myself as a priest but I don’t have a deep desire for priesthood either? I do want to serve the church and I believe I could be a good priest.

I have read plenty of things from the church talking about discerning a vocation but little that really gets to the nitty gritty practical perspective of how to discern nor anything that gets to the specific theological principle behind authentic discernment.

Basically I am most interested in how to pursue authentic discernment and not trick myself with emotions and desires.

 

[Shoshana]

You might want to look into the Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola. He is the Doctor of the Church who is privy to the gift of discernement. He will tak eyou step by step in meditating/discerning. I do not know how old you are, but you may need help from someone who is knowledgable of the procedure.

 

[Pious_Mat]

What is discernment?

I’m not sure, but since I’m discerning too, I can tell you when I feel that God is “calling” me. When I pray before the blessed sacrament, I do so more devoutly than at any other time. In fact, I lose track of time, and sometimes realize that (since I usually do this before mass), a great amount of time has gone by, and I stand up, my knees horrifically sore, thinking that there, in the presence of Christ, I felt more at peace than ever before.

However, there are other times when I feel thoroughly uncomfortable with my faith in Jesus Christ, and want to retreat into other pursuits.

Discernment, in my experience, is a roller coaster. Most of the priests in my diocese were raised in good Catholic homes many, many years ago, and knew all their lives that they were destined to be priests. I have thought about the priesthood since the age of 13, but I never thought of it as certain.

The only advice I can give you, in addition to what has already been said, is to pray and ask for the intercession of two of greatest priests in history, St. Pio of Pietrelcina, and St. Jean Vianny, le Cure D’Ars. This were two of the holiest priests in history, and lived the lives of ordinary clergymen, each with his own parish and flock, and living under the same circumstances as any other priest, but through the grace of God managed to become as holy as any of the Saints in Heaven.

As my spiritual advisor says to me: you pray for me, and I’ll pray for you.

Mat.

 

[chicago]

Really, all you can ultimately do is start trying to proceed down that path and see whether it is a road you should continue moving along or if you instead discover that this really isn’t the way for you. Discernment is discovery. It is a testing grounds to weed out the spirits in a challenging environment.

 

[LilyM]

Really, all you can ultimately do is start trying to proceed down that path and see whether it is a road you should continue moving along or if you instead discover that this really isn’t the way for you. Discernment is discovery. It is a testing grounds to weed out the spirits in a challenging environment.

Exactly - remember discernment isn’t really something that’s supposed to stop for people who enter the seminary! It’s an ongoing process, and much of it I suspect takes place during the course of your studies rather than prior to them.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Exactly - remember discernment isn’t really something that’s supposed to stop for people who enter the seminary! It’s an ongoing process, and much of it I suspect takes place during the course of your studies rather than prior to them.

Actually it takes place during both.

Get a spiritual director.

Here is a book on discernment.

The Discernment of Spirits: The Ignatian Rule for Everyday Life

At the Carmelite Institute this year we had a workshop on Discernment and it was loosely based off of this work. It was a great help.

 

[Chyna]

i am so glad to have seen this thread…

Pious Mat What is discernment?

I’m not sure, but since I’m discerning too, I can tell you when I feel that God is “calling” me. When I pray before the blessed sacrament, I do so more devoutly than at any other time. In fact, I lose track of time, and sometimes realize that (since I usually do this before mass), a great amount of time has gone by, and I stand up, my knees horrifically sore, thinking that there, in the presence of Christ, I felt more at peace than ever before.
Mat.

i too do the same before the Blessed Sacrament. i can not get enough.

Though i know there is something i should be doing. i just can not yet see what it is. It feels like i have lost something.

Chyna

 

[Shoshana]

Actually it takes place during both.

Get a spiritual director.

Here is a book on discernment.

The Discernment of Spirits: The Ignatian Rule for Everyday Life

At the Carmelite Institute this year we had a workshop on Discernment and it was loosely based off of this work. It was a great help.

Yes, he is the Doctor of discernement as it was. One grows a lot through his exercises and I cherich St Igantius as well as John of the Cross. They are my very good friends. How blessed we are!