Discernment

How will I know?

How will you know if you are being called?
Do you feel a desire to follow Jesus Christ in a special way?
Does this thought keep coming back, despite your lack of attention?
Do you want to make a difference by serving God and the Church?
Have you ever felt an interest in the priesthood and/or the religious life?
Have others ever indicated they think you might be called?
Have you ever wondered if you could meet the challenges of the life?

• Pray and build your life on the Gospel.
• Find someone to whom you can talk and who would accompany you spiritually.
• Find out more about the different life choices within the Church.
• Speak to a variety of people in different vocations.
• Read some good books on the subject.
• Get involved in your Parish or in some outreach programme.
• Don't be afraid of commitment and sacrifice.

Then:

You need to discern God's will in your life !

Apply the following three elements:

BELIEVE LISTEN TRUST

Believe God Loves You

Perhaps, you think you are ordinary, but that does not lessen the value of the gifts God has given you.
Perhaps you think you are weak, but that does not lessen the power of God to work through you.
Perhaps you think you are sinful, but God's forgiveness brings you freedom.

When God calls, he takes us as we are and uses all we have and are to achieve his purposes through us.
Believe in God and believe in yourself and God will achieve marvels through you.

Listen to the Spirit

My grace is enough for you for in weakness power reaches perfection. So, I boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Are you not ready to acknowledge that it is God speaking, or do you try to convince yourself otherwise?
Do you apply your mind to understand?
Are you ready to respond in freedom?

Trust what you are hearing in your experience and in your heart.

If you are honest, you will recognise God's call.
Some of its elements will be:

• The desire to be in deep relationship with God;
• The willingness to serve others in love and according to your gifts.
• Joy in the idea of living simply and peacefully in God's presence.

You need to be prepared that sometimes others will:

• Deny or diminish your feelings,
• accuse you of wasting your life, and
• that you, yourself, will struggle against God's call.

However, if, finally, you are honest in your discernment of God's will in your life, clarity will succeed confusion and determination will overcome temptation and you will experience joy and peace as you move towards a decision.

I am in the Father and you are in me and I in you. John 14:20

Respond in Trust

In saying "Yes", you believe and trust that God is leading you, even if you do not see the way in its entirety and clearly. You will feel secure in the knowledge that you are following Jesus "the Way.

Trusting in God's love you will be prepared to give your life, even while you know the journey to new horizons will be difficult.

Let it be done to me, According to your word! Luke 1:42

Give the process of discernment the time and attention it needs!

Should you require help, know that you are always welcome to contact the Vocations Director and/or the Vocations Office. They will also be happy to put you in touch with different orders, congregations and/or secular institutes