Vocation
He has chosen you
It is foundational for each person to know of God’s particular love for him or her. He loves each person individually and has given each a vocation where one can receive His love and give His love to others. Knowing His love then moves one to seek His will: “I want what God wants because He loves me and knows what is best for me.” In this, one finds happiness. From there, one can seek to discern the calling God has given.
God has a general plan for everyone. It is God’s will that everyone keeps the commandments, pick up one’s cross each day and follow His Son, and that each obey the Church. But one also senses that God is asking more: “What more can I do?” Our Lady is so closely united with the Holy Spirit that with her help, one may become more sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s movement in one’s life. She will help one to find the “more” that each soul desires.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus by Pompeo Batoni (1708-1787); Il Gesù Chapel, Rome, Italy
Discernment
Opening your heart to the God who loves you
Discernment is the process by which one seeks to discover precisely what God wishes one to do in a given situation. Discernment is a life-long process. One should constantly seek to follow God’s will and to give Him the most glory possible in one’s daily life. The biggest, most momentous discernment one does in one’s lifetime is vocational.
Turn to Our Lady in discernment. She is a Model and Guide. She is our Mother. She understands our self-will, hesitation, our doubts and fears, and our lack of faith and trust in the Lord. Through her powerful intercession as Spouse of the Holy Spirit, Mary will constantly be at our side to comfort, encourage, reassure, and assist us. Mary always says, “Do whatever He tells you.” Notice that she doesn’t say “Think about what He tells you” or “Consider what He tells you,” but “DO whatever He tells you.” Mother knows best!
"If some of you hear the call to follow Christ more closely, to dedicate your entire heart to Him, like the apostles John and Paul, be generous, do not be afraid, because you have nothing to fear when the prize that you await is God Himself, for Whom, sometimes without ever knowing it, all young people are searching."
-Pope St. John Paul II, Asuncion, Paraguay; May 18, 1988
The Discernment Process
Characteristics of the typical discernment process
- God initiates.
- At some point, if one is listening, it becomes apparent that God is asking one to follow a certain path.
- One is usually frightened at first.
- One normally feels inadequate to fulfill this vocation so there has to be a trust in God that He will supply what one is lacking.
- When one says yes, there is a feeling of peace.
- Later, there can be a time of testing but God gives the grace to withstand the trial.
- With perseverance, there is a growing fulfillment, growth as a person, and a sense of peace.
The Annunciation by Fra Angelico, Monastery of San Marco, Florence Italy
Discernment in Scripture
Throughout Sacred Scripture, people are called by God to a particular task. As you seek to discern God’s will, it might be helpful to see how others have responded. In many ways, they responded in the same way we do today; we are fearful and unsure but want to do what God wants us to do. As you read the stories, find what is God asking, how does the person respond, how does God reassure the one called and what is the end result. It will be striking to see how each story follows this framework. This should give us confidence that God is working in our lives as well.
Helps to Discernment
- Attend Mass weekly and even daily.
- Frequent confession.
- Daily prayer.
- Spend time in silence.
- Get a spiritual director.
- Pray with Scripture.
- Be devoted to Our Lady.
- Attend Eucharistic Adoration.
- Live virtue and strive to conquer vice.
- Do spiritual reading.
- Hang around good people.
- Ask for His Grace!
Rules of Discernment
These Rules of Discernment are adapted from the book, Is Jesus Calling you to be a Priest? by Msgr. Thomas J. Richter.
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Rule #1
You Must Encounter Christ
We most consistently encounter Christ in the Sacraments and at prayer. In the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist and confession, we encounter Jesus feeding and healing our souls. This is why it is essential to have a committed prayer life. Whoever wants to cultivate an intimate friendship with Our Lord will meet Him in prayer.
Discovering one’s vocation is not a navel-gazing, self-focused, psychological exercise. It’s not about man figuring something out or solving a confusing puzzle. It is about meeting a Person who wants to reveal His chosen vocation to you.
How do we encounter Christ? Sunday Mass is a must and also try to go to daily Mass; confession when needed- once a month or more; daily commitment to prayer; visits to the Blessed Sacrament; Eucharistic Adoration; quiet time with the Lord; and growing in relationship with Mary by praying the Rosary.
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Frequently Asked Questions and Misconceptions
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1. You are called to a particular Community +
If you are called to Religious Life, you are called to a particular Community. When a young woman feels called to marriage, she doesn’t say, “I am called to get married. Any man will do, as long as I follow my vocation. I’ll marry the first one I meet.” A young woman will be attracted to a certain community’s charism, community life, prayer life, and apostolate. See the Resources page for more information on how to find different Religious communities.
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2. The need to visit Convents +
If you feel called to discern religious life, you need to visit communities. The world shouts while God whispers in the heart. Getting away from the world by visiting the convent helps to put a proper perspective on discernment and makes us more available to hear God’s voice.
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3. Don’t visit too many places right away +
Start with what God places in your path. It might be the Sisters who put on a retreat you attended, taught in your schools, visited your college campus, or are in your own Diocese. When the Sisters get to know you, they can be a great resource in helping you to discern different communities.
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4. You can’t discern your vocation in the same way you choose a college or car +
It’s not a “head thing.” Jesus speaks directly to the heart. It would be ridiculous for a young woman to have a checklist and before getting to know the man say, “You meet all the requirements. Let’s get married. It should work.” When discerning, look at the CHARISM (spiritual personality) and the COMMUNITY, not for likes and dislikes. Allow God to lead you and follow His peace. Trust that He will reveal His will to you in prayer, through the disposition of peace and also through the discernment of the Community.
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5. Don’t let fear keep you from following God’s will +
The two biggest fears that are associated with a young woman resisting her vocation are:
- A fear of commitment
- A fear of leaving
We simply can’t let these fears overtake us. Otherwise, we will never go anywhere and we will never experience deep peace and fulfillment. Imagine if a young woman thought, “I’m never going on a date because we might break up.” Or, “I’m never going on a date because it might end in marriage.” God’s will always brings happiness and peace even if it is difficult. Ask for His grace to persevere in your discernment.
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6. Give God “first dibs” and have no fear +
He will let you know if you’re not called – both in your heart and through the help of the Community. You don’t need to worry about being “trapped” in a Convent if it is not your calling. Trust that God and the Sisters do not want this to happen to you.
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7. An attraction to the vocation of marriage is normal, even for one called to Religious Life +
Choosing Religious Life is NOT a rejection of marriage. It is about sacrificing marriage for the sake of a greater love. Love casts out all fear, and former desires melt away when one focuses on True Love. Remember, marriage is the highest natural good which is why we are attracted to it. Religious Life is an eschatological sign of what is to come and we, as Brides of Christ, live that supernatural reality here on earth.
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8. Look at Eternity to put things in perspective +
Many temptations and problems can be handled by putting things into perspective. We must look through Christ’s eyes. One Sister thought that if she entered the convent, she would never have ice cream again. She then realized that she was putting ice cream on the same level as Jesus. It would be foolish to choose ice cream over Christ.
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9. How do you choose from so many Communities? +
Some young women say, “But there are so many Religious Communities out there. I give up before I even start because I don’t know where to start.” Well, there are a lot more men in the world than religious communities. Why hasn’t this stopped women from getting married? Start with what you know or is closest to you. Talk to a Vocation Directress from one of the communities that interest you and she will help guide you.
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10. Mary shows us how to: ACT and TRUST +
ALWAYS REMEMBER: Mary always says “DO whatever He tells you.” And: “My Immaculate Heart is the way that will lead you to God.”
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Take heart, young people! Christ is calling you and the world awaits you! Remember that the kingdom of God needs your generosity and complete dedication. Do not act like the rich young man who, invited by Christ, was unable to choose and kept his possessions and sadness, he who had been looked upon with a loving gaze. Act like those fishermen who, called by Jesus, immediately left everything behind and became fishers of men.
Pope St. John Paul II, Rome, Italy; February 2, 1989
Links and Resources
| Institute on Religious Life | Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious | USCCB Clergy Consecrated Life & Vocations |
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Is Jesus Calling you to be a Priest? by Msgr. Thomas J. Richter.
These rules are universal for any type of discernment. -
Discerning Religious Life by Mother Clare Matthiass, CFR
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Discerning the Will of God by Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV
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Prayers for Vocations and Discernment
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IHM Discernment Prayer
God our Father, in Baptism You called me by name and made me a member of your Church. You placed within my heart an invitation to follow you along a particular path. Send your Spirit to guide and strengthen me that I may always do Your will as Jesus did. O Blessed Virgin Mary, help me to know God’s will for me; form within me a generous heart. As gift of your heart and as fruit of your tears, inspire generous young women to answer the call of your Son to love Him, the Bridegroom, with an undivided heart and to serve His Church as daughters of your Immaculate Heart. Amen.
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