What is a Vocation? Vocation is God’s will for you The word ‘vocation’ comes from the Latin word that means ‘calling’. For the Christian a vocation is not just something that God calls us to do, it is also the person God calls us to be. When Jesus called his first disciples by the Lake of Galilee it wasn’t just so that they could help him in his work, it was so that their lives could be transformed through his friendship and love. We have been called to follow Christ, the Son of God, the eternal Word of the Father, who came as one of us to save us for eternal life. He has sent his Holy Spirit so that we can share in his divine life even now, and express that life by trying to love him and to love our neighbour. The Christian vocation is a call to share in the life of the Most Holy Trinity. Vocation as a call to holiness One way of expressing this is to say that the fundamental human vocation is the call to holiness, the call to be a saint. The saints are not just heroic people who live in history books. They are ordinary Christians who have tried to live their faith without holding anything back – to love God with their whole hearts, to love those around them without counting the cost, to work at what is worthwhile with dedication and purpose, to be people of joy and kindness and prayerfulness. All of us are called to be saints – however weak or sinful we feel. This is not so much a command as a promise that God makes: he promises us, by giving us his Holy Spirit, that he will help us to find our true happiness in following him, and that he will give us whatever we need for the journey. You already have a vocation The vocation to holiness is already a part of your life, given to you at your baptism, and it is so important to remember that. Whatever situation you are in now, however unsatisfactory it seems, you already have a vocation. You might be working, studying, travelling, unemployed, or caring for someone at home; you might be very content, or utterly miserable; full of hope, or close to despair. Whatever your situation, you can trust that God is with you, and that he calls you to be holy in this very situation. Things may well change – and perhaps they need to. But at this moment you must have the confidence to believe that even now there is a meaning and a purpose to your life; and that you can begin to fulfil that by everyday acts of love and kindness and patience. Living well in the present This call to live well in the present is the ‘Little Way’ recommended by St Thérèse of Lisieux – the importance of simply doing your duty, saying your prayers, loving your neighbour, bearing your sufferings; and doing all this with a generous and loving heart. It is not very dramatic, but it is the secret of holiness, and it reminds us that your first and fundamental vocation is not something to be discovered in the future – it is living the Christian life in the here and now. Perhaps this is all God wants of you for the moment. You must avoid the temptation of thinking that your Christian life can only properly begin in the future, when everything is crystal clear. And if you do not discover a more concrete vocation, or if you are to die young, then you should not feel that you have wasted your life, or that your life is unfinished or unfulfilled. Vocation as a call to a concrete ‘state of life’ Christ has always called some people to follow him in concrete ways, by giving them a more specific vocation. In previous generations, the word ‘vocation’ would only have been used to describe the lives of priests and religious – because these people had in some sense been called ‘away’ from an ordinary life to a life of celibacy and service in the Church. But today the word ‘vocation’ is rightly used also of marriage, permanent diaconate, consecrated life, and some forms of single life – because each of these is a wholehearted commitment that we make in response to an invitation from the Lord. These concrete vocations are also known as ‘states of life’, because we make a lifelong commitment to living our Christian faith in a particular context. This lifelong commitment becomes the place in which we live out our fundamental vocation to holiness. God calls us all to be saints; and sometimes he calls us to be saints in a particular way – as husbands or wives, as priests or deacons or consecrated persons. Vocation as a call to be the unique person you are made to be There is yet another level to ‘vocation’. Each saint is unique, and you are called to be holy not just in a general way, but in the particular way that God has made you to be. God created you as a unique individual, and calls you by a name that no-one else has been given. You reflect Christ’s love and show something of his face in a way that no-one else can. This is your ‘personal’ vocation – the call to be the person you are meant to be. The more you discover who you are, and the more you discover what lies deepest in your heart, the more you will be able to discern what God’s will is for you and what direction he wants you to take in life. Your lifelong vocational commitments and the particular path of holiness that you are called to follow will inevitably grow out of the person God created you to be.
How to form our vocations We can forget that formation is necessary if we are truly to live out our lives and vocation to the full. Formation can be divided into several areas: Human, Spiritual, Professional, Apostolic and Doctrinal all of which are necessary if we are to be disciples and communicators of the Faith we ourselves have received. HUMAN God’s Grace does not suppress our human nature, rather Grace improves and enhances our humanity. We need to keep on developing our human nature if are to fully cooperate with God’s Grace in our lives. SPIRITUAL alongside developing our human nature we need to develop our spiritual lives. We do this through developing the supernatural virtues infused in us by God at Baptism. The theological virtues of: Faith, Hope and Charity and the Cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance all of which are given by God but need to be developed and practised. Overall these we need to practice the virtue of humility which enhances and perfects the virtues. Development of our spiritual lives is obtained through prayer, spiritual reading, and the reception of the sacraments. Both spiritual and human formation are interrelated. PROFESSIONAL a large part of a lay person’s life is spent in the workplace. Work is an integral part of the lay vocation, as our work is our contribution and service to society, and therefore to God. If we are to be examples of Christian Faith and to attain holiness then it requires sanctification of all aspects of our lives, including work. (“Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men” Col 3:22) We need formation to be best we can be, whether an employer or employee, involving responsibility, thoroughness and excellence which needs formation in the form of professional development and training. APOSTOLIC All Christians are called to be apostles, taking the faith we have received and sharing it with others. In order to do this effectively sometimes we need to think about and learn the most effective way to share our faith. DOCTRINAL We all need doctrinal formation in order to articulate and give a good account of our faith. Doctrinal formation keeps us true to the Faith in all its richness and fullness, so that when we transmit the content of the Faith, we do so in the knowledge that what we share is faithful to the teaching of Christ and his Church. Formation for many lay people comes through the days and courses run in the local parish setting and by the Department for New Evangelization and Formation.
Permanent Diaconate Vocation to the Permanent Diaconate A Specific Grace The permanent deacon, who may be single or married, dedicates his life to serving others. His ministry of service focuses on three areas: assisting at the altar in the celebration of the sacraments; preaching the Word of God and leading people in prayer; and reaching out in loving service to the practical and spiritual needs of others, especially of the poor and those outside the normal confines of the Church. Traditionally the permanent deacon works closely with his diocesan bishop. Most permanent deacons, in practice, serve the greater part of their time within their home parish. But there are many who work as chaplains in schools, prisons, hospitals, etc. Others are in full-time employment where their work is itself ‘diaconal’: teachers, social workers, nurses, doctors, etc. Their ordination brings a specific grace that allows their life of service to be consecrated in a special way.
vocation
Vocation to the Priest
How to form our vocations We can forget that formation is necessary if we are truly to live out our lives and vocation to the full. Formation can be divided into several areas: Human, Spiritual, Professional, Apostolic and Doctrinal all of which are necessary if we are to be disciples and communicators of the Faith we ourselves have received. HUMAN God’s Grace does not suppress our human nature, rather Grace improves and enhances our humanity. We need to keep on developing our human nature if are to fully cooperate with God’s Grace in our lives. SPIRITUAL alongside developing our human nature we need to develop our spiritual lives. We do this through developing the supernatural virtues infused in us by God at Baptism. The theological virtues of: Faith, Hope and Charity and the Cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance all of which are given by God but need to be developed and practised. Overall these we need to practice the virtue of humility which enhances and perfects the virtues. Development of our spiritual lives is obtained through prayer, spiritual reading, and the reception of the sacraments. Both spiritual and human formation are interrelated. PROFESSIONAL a large part of a lay person’s life is spent in the workplace. Work is an integral part of the lay vocation, as our work is our contribution and service to society, and therefore to God. If we are to be examples of Christian Faith and to attain holiness then it requires sanctification of all aspects of our lives, including work. (“Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men” Col 3:22) We need formation to be best we can be, whether an employer or employee, involving responsibility, thoroughness and excellence which needs formation in the form of professional development and training. APOSTOLIC All Christians are called to be apostles, taking the faith we have received and sharing it with others. In order to do this effectively sometimes we need to think about and learn the most effective way to share our faith. DOCTRINAL We all need doctrinal formation in order to articulate and give a good account of our faith. Doctrinal formation keeps us true to the Faith in all its richness and fullness, so that when we transmit the content of the Faith, we do so in the knowledge that what we share is faithful to the teaching of Christ and his Church. Formation for many lay people comes through the days and courses run in the local parish setting and by the Department for New Evangelization and Formation.
Permanent Diaconate Vocation to the Permanent Diaconate A Specific Grace The permanent deacon, who may be single or married, dedicates his life to serving others. His ministry of service focuses on three areas: assisting at the altar in the celebration of the sacraments; preaching the Word of God and leading people in prayer; and reaching out in loving service to the practical and spiritual needs of others, especially of the poor and those outside the normal confines of the Church. Traditionally the permanent deacon works closely with his diocesan bishop. Most permanent deacons, in practice, serve the greater part of their time within their home parish. But there are many who work as chaplains in schools, prisons, hospitals, etc. Others are in full-time employment where their work is itself ‘diaconal’: teachers, social workers, nurses, doctors, etc. Their ordination brings a specific grace that allows their life of service to be consecrated in a special way.
What are the signs of a calling to the permanent diaconate? The permanent diaconate is open to both single and married men in some dioceses. Where there is the practice, then some signs of a calling to that life are discernible. Discussion with wife If a married man is thinking about the permanent diaconate it is essential that he discerns this vocation with his wife, so that it is a decision made within the unity of one’s marriage. For the married man ordination to the diaconate is meant to grow out of and complement his marriage. These are just some signs that God might be calling you to the permanent diaconate, some of the ways that God might be guiding you in your life. It is the overall pattern that is important. The paragraphs about marriage obviously apply only to those who are married. If you are interested in finding out more about the permanent diaconate then talk to your parish priest or get in touch with the Director for Permanent Deacons in the diocese. A stable and supportive marriage No marriage is perfect, but you and your wife must have a solid and supportive relationship. There are no major issues in your marriage that make it hard for you to communicate with each other or live your Catholic faith with integrity. You are able to make this decision about ordination together in a mature way. You both believe that the commitment to the diaconate, in the time of formation and in the ministry itself, will not be an unnecessary burden for your marriage and family, but rather an enrichment. A commitment to your Catholic faith and to your prayer life You love your faith and it has been an important part of your life for a long time. You treasure it for yourself, you have made time to grow in your understanding of the faith, and you long to share it with others. You try to pray within the circumstances of your working life. You value prayer. You appreciate in a personal way the importance of the sacraments, especially of the Mass. A commitment to family and work You love and care for your wife and family, despite the inevitable struggles. You are faithful to your responsibilities at work and you are able to give generously of your time and yourself whenever there is need. A desire to serve You have already shown a commitment to serve others in different ways, in the parish or in other voluntary situations. You have the time and energy and proven capacity to work for others and to work willingly. You have a desire to serve others more wholeheartedly, as a vocation. You are drawn especially to the service you see in the lives of deacons: assisting at the altar in the sacramental celebrations, preaching and teaching God’s Word, leading people in prayer, and serving others in the ministry of charity. This will extend especially to the poor and the marginalized; and one of your particular responsibilities as a deacon will be to bring their needs to the notice of your parish and the wider church. Human qualities You have all the human qualities that will allow you to be a worthy minister in God’s Church. You have the emotional and psychological maturity to take on a new and demanding role. You are able to take the lead, and you have experience in different leadership roles. You can work well with others and win their respect. The encouragement of others Other people in the parish encourage you to think about the diaconate, or support you when you discuss the idea. They can see you in this ministry; they can imagine that you would do it well and that you would find happiness in it. The encouragement of your parish priest A key person in your discernment and in supporting you will be your parish priest. If he believes that you are being called to the permanent diaconate, and if he supports you in your application, then this is a very positive sign. The place of celibacy A single man commits himself to lifelong celibacy from the moment of his ordination as a permanent deacon. A married man does not he continues to live the fullness of his marriage but he makes a promise that if his wife dies before him he will remain celibate and will not remarry. This is a very serious commitment, especially if there are young children in the family and there is an anxiety about how they might be brought up or cared for should their mother die.
The great gift that is priesthood Many people too often think in terms of giving something up when they think of priesthood. There are of course sacrifices to make, and perhaps the call to celibacy is one of the most challenging. But a man who has a sense of calling can take heart from Christ’s own words: “I tell you the truth, no-one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the Gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields— and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life” (Mark 10,29-30). In any case, the sacrifice becomes beautiful and worthwhile if it is pondered and prayed over. The power to forgive sins! The power to change bread and wine into God’s Body and Blood! The privilege of accompanying people on the pilgrim journey back to God! The gift of preaching the Good News of salvation! These are some of the many blessings given to those whom Christ calls. Pope John Paul II and Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta both had a deep love for the priesthood and its most important work, the Eucharist. Here they encourage those who are thinking about priesthood: If you feel a tug towards the consecrated life, do not run away from it because it will not go away. Take things calmly and reflect upon them prayerfully, before approaching someone you can trust. You might also like to reflect on some of the signs that you might have a vocation. We can take heart from Blessed Pope John XXIII, who reminds us that, “Once you have renounced everything, really everything, then any bold enterprise becomes the simplest and most natural thing in all the world.” (Diary, May 5th 1928) Living the Christian life in a particular way… All Christians are called to live a ‘priestly’ life, which means they offer their whole lives in prayer and service to God in union with the offering of Jesus the High Priest. This is our ‘baptismal’ priesthood. The ‘ministerial’ priest, however, through the sacrament of ordination, shares in the priesthood of Christ in a special way. His very being is transfigured in this sacrament, so that he can represent Christ the Good Shepherd for us, Christ as the Head of the Church. He not only offers his own life to the Father in sacrifice, as all Christians do, but he also stands before the Church and ministers to us as Christ ‘in person’. When he teaches with the authority of the Church then Christ teaches; when he forgives sins in the sacrament of Penance then Christ forgives; when he offers the Sacrifice of the Mass then Christ offers that Sacrifice; when he loves and supports and cares for his people then Christ is present with his people. Because of the wishes of Jesus himself, confirmed by the tradition of the Church throughout the centuries, the ministerial priesthood is reserved for men. In the Western Church the priesthood is also reserved, ordinarily, for single men who are willing to make a lifelong commitment to celibacy, for in this way they can give their whole hearts and minds to the service of the Lord and to the love of his people.
How do I Know God Wants Me to be a Priest? Finding the meaning of life? Love gives life its meaning. Pope John Paul II said as much: “Man cannot live without love. He remains a being that is incomprehensible for himself, his life is senseless, if love is not revealed to him, if he does not encounter love, if he does not experience it and make it his own, if he does not participate intimately in it. This is why Christ the Redeemer fully reveals man to himself” (Redemptor Hominis, 10). And at the heart of loving is giving. It is only in giving of ourselves that our lives will be truly fulfilled. How does this apply to priesthood? A priest gives himself in order to give life to others. As ‘Father’, he brings life to the family of God through his intimate relationship with his bride, the Church. A man does not enter the priesthood because he is escaping ‘the real world’, or because he cannot find a girlfriend, or because he cannot think of what else to do. He becomes a priest because he has a sense that God is calling him to have a particular part to play in the work to save souls for eternal life. So how do I know if God is calling me to be a priest? The following pointers might be helpful. A desire to be a priest Maybe you can’t explain why you have this desire, it’s a part of you, like falling in love. You just know that this is what seems right. You imagine yourself as a priest or consecrated person and it seems to fit, even if it makes you afraid or you think it would be impossible. There is a joy and excitement when you think about it, a sense that this is the right path. The idea keeps coming back – in your prayer, your daydreaming, your imagination. Some scripture passage or sermon seems to be directed at you – about the priesthood, or the call of the disciples, or service. These passages seem to stand out for you and have a kind of clarity; as if a light comes on; or it warms your heart; or it feels as if someone is pointing at you. The desire may be long-term or gradual or recent There are different kinds of desire. (i) Some people have always wanted to be a priest or consecrated person: they cannot remember a time when they did not have this desire; they pretended to be priests or consecrated persons when they were kids; it seems to be a part of them. (ii) Some people have gradually wanted to be priests or consecrated persons: it has grown over time; or it has come and gone; but now seems to be a bit stronger and a bit more enduring. (iii) Some people have always wanted NOT to be a priest or consecrated person. This might sound strange, but there are people who have always been fighting it, resisting, walking away, giving excuses why not; and this is because deep down they have always known it is a part of them; and at some point they realise that, in fact, people without vocations do not normally go around thinking about why they don’t have a vocation! (iv) And some people suddenly want to be priests or consecrated persons: they have gone through a life changing spiritual experience; it has never occurred to them before but now it does; the priesthood or consecrated life is something new and sudden and unexpected, but very real and almost overpowering. This can happen, but these people need to be very cautious, because after a big adult conversion experience it is easy to confuse a desire to live a radical new Christian life (which is important for all people) with a desire to be a priest or consecrated person (which is only one way of responding to this new life, and perhaps not the right one). This is why the Church asks new converts to have time to settle into their new Catholic life for a few years before seeking ordination or consecrated life. An admiration for priests you know You sense a goodness and holiness in their lives. You have an attraction to something they have or something they represent; even if you can’t imagine being one. They seem to be living a life worth living, in a way that speaks to you. You are drawn to them. Or perhaps you do not have any explicit desires to be a priest or consecrated person, but you are attracted to many of the things that are involved in their lives. You have a desire to serve people in different ways, or to pass on the faith, or to pray with and for others. Maybe you find less satisfaction in your work, not because it is wrong, but you feel it is not enough. Sense of being pulled or pushed toward priesthood This can be true even if you do not seem to have any real personal desire. In fact it might seem like something you don’t want to do, something you are fighting against. The will of God and not your own will. It is a nagging feeling that you should or could become a priest or consecrated person, that seems to come from nowhere, uninvited; an idea you can’t get out of your mind. It might leave you cold, or even repel you – in the sense that your instincts and gut fight against it. You may find yourself making excuses to yourself (and even to others) about why you shouldn’t follow it, raising a list of objections, making clear all the signs that show you couldn’t possibly do this. Perhaps you couldn’t! But it is strange that you keep fighting and resisting it (when other people just don’t bother thinking about it). It’s as if part of you knows you should; there is an inner sense of duty, or call – even if it is reluctant. An inner desire to pray more and to take the faith more seriously You just find that you want to pray more and to deepen your faith. Your love for Christ is growing, and your love for the Church. More and more you desire to give your life to God completely. Of course this is true for many holy lay-people! But it can often be the beginning of a vocation to priesthood or consecrated life. You are not sure why, but you have a feeling that you can’t hold anything back. For some people the idea of celibacy comes to mean more and more – not because they dislike marriage, but because they feel called to give their life wholeheartedly to serve God and others, in a way that would be difficult within the commitments of marriage and family life. Other people affirm your vocation When you talk to people about the possibility of priesthood or consecrated life, especially committed Catholics, they don’t look as if you are mad. They affirm it, and say ‘Of course, I could have told you that years ago’. They encourage you. In other words, from the outside, this vocation also seems to make sense – it is not just a subjective sign for you, but it is beginning to be a more objective sign to others too. Perhaps people who don’t know you even come up and suggest the priesthood or consecrated life to you, out of the blue! The simple fact that someone unexpectedly suggests it to you, or jokes about it with you, may be the first sign of a call. They may see something you can’t see, or something you are not prepared to admit that you see. You shouldn’t assume that every person speaking to you is a messenger from God, and other people can sometimes get things wrong – but the suggestions others make might sometimes help you to reflect in a more open way. Support from a wise person who knows you well You may not have a formal ‘spiritual director’ (someone you speak to regularly about your faith), but perhaps there is someone wise and trustworthy that you have chatted to about your vocation over a period of time; you have talked things through with them and they know you quite well. If they affirm what you have said, and it seems to them that you may have a vocation, then this is another more public sign that it may be true. It could be a sign to take things further forward. A feeling that you are not worthy to be a priest This might seem like a paradox, but it can be true. Sometimes someone may have a deep feeling that the priesthood or consecrated life is too much of an ideal for them, that they are not worthy, or not good enough, or not capable enough. These feelings can be a sign of humility, an indication that someone has a healthy sense of their own limitations, and a high sense of the dignity of this calling. The feeling of unworthiness may, strangely, be a sign that someone has a true appreciation for what this vocation means, and that they will be open to asking for God’s help and the help of the Church. It would be worrying if someone thought any kind of Christian commitment was easy; or if they thought they could achieve it through their own efforts. An attraction to marriage and family life This might seem a strange point. Obviously, an attraction to marriage and family life is not a sign that you should become a priest or consecrated person. But it is true that someone with a deep and strong pull towards marriage can be called by the Lord to become a priest or consecrated person. God is not playing games and asking you to do what is impossible – to be married and not married at the same time. Rather, you may have a very natural desire for marriage and family, it’s part of who you are as a man or woman, but the Lord might be calling you to let go of that so that you can discover another way of giving your life in love – as a priest or consecrated person. You need to look at all the other signs above; but this section is just to show you that an attraction to marriage does not necessarily mean you should rule out another vocation. In all this, take courage, because the Lord is on your side and he will never leave you alone. (Photo: mazur/catholicchurch.org.uk)
What is God intending for me? Each vocation is a call to follow Christ. The lifestyle and demands of each particular vocation are very different, but there are some common threads. Each vocation is a commitment to love in a certain way, and to draw closer to others – whether that closeness is through marriage or service or prayer. Each vocation challenges us to live our faith more deeply and to follow Christ more closely. Each vocation, if it is lived generously, will involve times of deep happiness and joy. Each vocation, if it is lived faithfully, will almost inevitably involve moments of great suffering and sacrifice. We should not think that one vocation is easier than another. Genuine love always costs a great deal, and brings great rewards. In one sense, to make a commitment to lifelong as a priest or consecrated person seems like a more radical choice, because it pulls us away from the natural joys of family life. But to live an authentic Christian marriage today, and to uphold Christian values in family life, requires enormous courage and commitment. It is not wise to compare the value of different vocations, but to appreciate the value of each one, and to discover which one is right for you. The important thing is to set out for yourself and see. (Photo: mazur/catholicchurch.org.uk)
Moving Forward Interpreting the signs There are various signs which suggest the best path for you. On their own, these signs, whether suggesting priesthood, the consecrated life or marriage, are not enough. They are hints that the Lord may be speaking to you and calling you in a particular direction. Like any language, they need interpreting, and you need help to interpret them. If it seems to you that some of these signs are very clear and strong, or if many of them seem to come together and add up and begin to form a pattern, then this can be the clearest sign that the Lord is calling you at least to investigate and humbly take the next step. And if these signs are missing, or they are very weak in your life, then the Lord is probably not calling you, at least not yet. The overarching sign of a vocation will be an enduring pull in a certain direction, that is accompanied by a sense of peace and joy as you reflect on this attraction. This does not mean the attraction will be without fears and anxieties and struggles (of course you are a bit anxious!). But if the idea of priesthood or consecrated life itself comes with a deep sense of panic or fear or anxiety (this is different from the natural humility and reluctance we feel) it may mean it is not right for you, and you would be much happier somewhere else! Usually, God gives us enough to go on – he does not play games with us. Trying to move forward There is no need to be paralysed or stuck. If you are discerning, that’s fine. Follow the advice that we propose elsewhere about how to be open to your vocation. Be patient – things will become clearer. If you are really confused and stuck, and not sure which way to go, with contradicting signs and signals – then follow the advice about how to make a decision, and try to make some kind of provisional decision. Taking the next step If these signs grow stronger and come together, then you should take the next step. It might be to talk to your parish priest, or the vocations director of the diocese, or the novice master or mistress of the congregation you are interested in. You move to a new stage in your discernment, which is trusting in the discernment of the Church. This discernment is more objective and ‘public’. It involves other people, and ultimately it involves the Bishop or superior of the congregation. It can be difficult and humbling, because in some sense you are putting your future in the hands of others. These are the people who have the final responsibility of calling people on behalf of Christ. It is no longer just you trying to find what is right for yourself. If you eventually make an application to join, then you are trusting in the wisdom of those who assess your application. If you are accepted and begin formation, then you are trusting in the formation programme and the ongoing assessment process involved. All of these public responses are ‘signs’; they are ways that the Lord helps you and guides you; and ultimately you should listen to them as much as to the personal signs of vocation you have discovered in your own life. It is when your personal sense of calling comes together with the public response of the Church that you can be confident it is the right time to try and move forward. Trusting the Church At the end of the day, you can trust the Church to help you discern. If the diocese or congregation encourages you and then formally accepts you, then this is a reasonable sign that the Lord is inviting you at least to take the next step into formation. It still leaves many years to discern and become sure – but you can have the assurance that you are doing the right thing for the moment. If the diocese or congregation holds you back or says no, then this is a reasonable sign that God is leading you to something else, something that is right for you, a different kind of vocation. Deep down, despite some possible disappointment, you can be grateful for the clarity this decision brings. And if the attraction doesn’t go away, and other wise people encourage you, you can try again in different circumstances. Certain essential requirements There are certain basic requirements that you normally need if God is really calling you to the priesthood or consecrated life, and if these are lacking then this path is probably not for you at this time in your life – although it may show itself later on. This is just an informal explanation of some of these requirements you will need to talk to the vocations director or religious congregation to be clear about the official requirements. It is really important to talk to someone about these areas (the vocations director; the novice master or mistress; your spiritual director). If something concerns you here, do not just panic and rule yourself out, as we often judge our situation too quickly or too harshly, and there may be other factors which are greatly in your favour. The basic requirements that you need usually include: A commitment to your Catholic faith – a love for Christ, for the Sacraments, for the Church (even if you are aware of your weakness and failings). A commitment to the commandments and to living a moral life (even if you are weak and still struggle); you are trying to live a chaste life. Basic physical and mental health (serious medical conditions will make it difficult for you to live and work as a priest or consecrated person). A personal and emotional maturity (it will be very difficult for you to live in seminary or community, and to engage in pastoral work or a routine of prayer, if you have some deep and unresolved psychological issues; if you can’t get on comfortably with different people; if you are really struggling with some kind of addiction or anything else that is dominating your life at this moment). You are not married; you do not have any big responsibilities that would take away your freedom to become a priest or consecrated person (e.g., children; huge debts; etc.).
Steps in Discernment Is there an invitation from the Lord? The word ‘discernment’ is used to describe the whole process by which we listen to God and listen to our own hearts; gradually coming to know who God is calling us to be and where he is leading us. It is not something we just decide to do one afternoon, like baking a cake or watching a film. It is a journey that involves patience, honesty, perseverance, generosity, courage, and a sense of humour! It is a personal journey that will also involve trusted friends and the Christian community. Within all our discerning we are trying to hear the invitation of Christ to follow him in a particular way and to become the person he wants us to be. Christians talk about how God ‘calls’ us to do something, and perhaps we think this means that one day we will literally hear a voice telling us what to do. Sometimes God does speak to us in clear and dramatic ways, but more often he ‘speaks’ to us in ordinary ways. He guides us through the deepest desires of our hearts (calling us ‘from within’) and the events and circumstances of our lives (calling us ‘from without’). Here we look at some of the many ways that God can guide you and pull you in a certain direction – whether it concerns a small choice, a medium-sized career move, or a lifelong commitment. Beneath everything, you are trying to know God’s will for you, to listen to the stirrings of the Holy Spirit deep in your heart, and trying to respond generously. It is about a personal relationship with the Lord. … but don’t over-analyse! You don’t need to over-analyse your life, looking for conclusive signs in every mood or event. This can become an obsession, and even a superstition, like reading the tea leaves or the horoscopes. The ‘signs’ listed here simply point to some areas of life that you can pay attention to, ‘listening’ to what they mean. When you stand back and take a look at the big picture, perhaps a pattern emerges, and you sense that you are being drawn in a particular direction. Usually, you don’t really need more signs, you just need to look and listen more carefully. Desire and attraction What do you care about? What do you love? What do you feel passionate about? What would you love to commit yourself to? What do you feel pulled towards – even if you can’t explain why? Admiration Which people do you admire the most? Is it because of who they are or what they stand for or what they do? What is it about them or their vocation that you have been attracted to? What does it stir up in your own heart? Which person, alive now, would you most like to be? Which saints, from the past, inspire you most? Why? Enjoyment What do you like doing? Not just for leisure or fun – but what kind of work and activities do you enjoy most? Which bring the best out of you and gives you satisfaction at the end of a hard day? Skills What are you good at? What are your gifts and skills and aptitudes? Not just your qualifications (although these are often relevant) but your gifts of character and personality too. How could you best use all that God has given you and make a difference? Value Of the many projects and careers you are interested in, which of them are really worthwhile? Which allow you to contribute to something that is not just a waste of time? What do you actually believe in and want to promote? This doesn’t mean you have to choose a ‘religious’ or ‘charitable’ work – as if all the ordinary jobs people do in the world are a second-best option for Christians. But you have to have some sense that you believe in what you are doing. Put it the other way round, you should avoid any choices that take you into an area that is corrupt or immoral, and above all avoid any wrongdoing yourself. Events and circumstances Sometimes an opportunity opens up unexpectedly and you want to make the most of it. It wasn’t planned, and you are not quite sure how it fits into the rest of your life, but you feel an instinctive enthusiasm, and you want to ‘seize the day’. Or you are waiting for an event to unfold that is now beyond your control: exam results, feedback from a job interview, a medical report. You may have a passionate desire to follow one path, but circumstances make it impossible. The Lord opens doors, and closes them, through the ordinary events of your life, through the decisions that others make, and through the concrete situation you are in. You can trust that God is guiding all these circumstances and leading you to where you are meant to be. He is more powerful than all the other forces that seem to be shaping your life. Other people If people encourage you in a particular decision or way of life, if they ‘believe in you’, this can be a sign that you are going in the right direction. Sometimes other people can see your own potential more clearly than you can yourself. You might be afraid or lacking confidence, but they can see the possibilities, and encourage you to go in one direction, or perhaps discourage you from going in another direction. It’s good to talk to people that know you well, people you trust – friends, family, teachers, priests – and see what they think about your ideas for the future. They might have another perspective that helps you. But other people can also get things wrong, and become over-enthusiastic about your vocation, or project their own ideals onto your life – so you need to be cautious and not follow the advice someone else gives you uncritically. Inner conviction You might have a clear, inner conviction that something is right for you; almost like an unshakeable knowledge of who you are and what is important for you. More than just a desire or an attraction – it is like a sense of inevitability, part of your identity. It might have been a part of you for as long as you can remember; or it might have dawned slowly; or it might come upon you like a moment of inspiration. This inner conviction is not an infallible sign of your vocation – it might need interpreting or purifying – but it is certainly something that you should listen to carefully. Ordinary prayer When you are praying (talking to God, asking his help, or just sitting in silence) – do certain ideas keep coming back to you? When you let go of your distractions for a moment, and open your heart to God in prayer, it can allow your deepest concerns to come to the surface, and allow the Lord to ‘speak’ to you. Sometimes an idea comes to mind in prayer, or a memory, or a concern, or a task. It nags. It seems important, it seems especially meaningful. And when you reflect on it later on, it still seems important for you. This might be an ‘inspiration’ from the Holy Spirit – not in the sense of an infallible divine command, but a nudge in your heart or mind to look into something more deeply. Holy Scripture In a similar way, when you are reading the bible alone, or listening to the scripture readings at Mass, a phrase can strike you with unexpected force. A passage that you have heard many times before can suddenly seem clear and powerful. It moves you or challenges you or almost impels you to do something. You feel as though God is speaking to you personally and directly through the words of the Bible, or through a sermon or talk. This is another way that the Holy Spirit can inspire and guide you – pointing you, through these words and the response they evoke, to something that is important for you. Extraordinary experiences Not often, but sometimes, God steps into our life in a quite extraordinary and unexpected way. You ‘hear’ a voice in prayer, or ‘see’ a vision, or witness a miracle – and you are quite convinced that this is God’s direct work, and that he is speaking to you personally in this way, and guiding you in a certain direction or requesting something of you. You have to be very careful here: You can deceive yourself, and harmful spiritual forces can trick you into believing what is not true. You should never just trust these experiences uncritically – you should talk about them with a wise priest, and try to make sense of them in the light of all the other ways that God is guiding you. Many people do not have such experiences. We should not expect them, and there is no need to ask or pray for them. God usually prefers to guide us in ordinary ways. But sometimes it does happen! Realism Finally, you have to be realistic. You may have many desires and dreams, but they must grow out of who you are and what is possible for you at this time. This doesn’t mean you should lack ambition and settle for second-best. It does mean, however, that your thoughts about the future should be rooted in the reality of your life and of your situation. You don’t need to be defined by your weaknesses; but you do need to have the humility to accept your limitations, and a sincere gratitude for the person that God has created you to be. Summary God ‘speaks’ to us in all these different ways. Life is not like a crossword or a Sudoku puzzle, where we have to analyse every clue and complete every answer in order to come to the end and reach a tidy conclusion. We simply get on with life, doing the best we can – ‘listening’ to God, paying attention to all these different areas listed above, seeing if there is a pattern, stopping to think when something strikes us with a new force or clarity. Usually, gradually, we find that we are being pulled in a certain direction, or we have enough to help us make a decision. And then we take the next step.
How Do I Make a Decision? ecoming clearer so as not to drift… Usually our vocation becomes clearer over time. If you are living your Catholic faith, and being open to the Lord and to all that is happening in your life, you should gradually feel a pull in one direction, a growing conviction that one way of life is right for you. This process of discernment takes time, and it is much more than simply trying to make practical decisions. Yet there are two reasons why you might come to a time in your life when you need to make a decision of some kind. First, because things have become clearer, and you feel you are ready to take a step in a certain direction. Second, because things are not at all clear, and you have been going round in circles about your vocation for a long time, and you don’t seem to be getting anywhere. In this case it can be helpful, with the support of a wise person you trust, to try and make some kind of provisional decision about where you are going. There is a risk that you could drift through life without making any decisions; always looking for signs that will tell you what to do, without actively taking responsibility for your own choices. You could become a ‘serial discerner’ and fall prey to ‘paralysis through analysis’. Sometimes God lays before us different possibilities, and wants us thoughtfully and prayerfully to come to a decision about what seems best. It is not a final decision (we don’t make a final decision until the day of our marriage or ordination or solemn profession), it is simply a decision to test the water instead of hovering at the edge, to start down one particular path instead of standing at the crossroads. We shouldn’t be surprised that God sometimes invites us to make a choice. Sometimes, but not always, we learn more about God and about ourselves by acting than by waiting. We are often looking for certainty, for objective signs. But one of the ‘signs’ of a vocation can be our willingness to try a particular path and see where it leads. He leads us partly through our choices. You don’t have to be certain about the choice, you just have to make the best choice that you can. If you wait for 100% certainty you will be waiting forever. Here are some tips about how to make a decision when the time comes. You don’t need to use them all, like a checklist – they are simply ideas in case you are stuck. Wait God’s call usually becomes clearer over time. Often we just need to wait patiently – living our Catholic faith, doing all we can to be open to God’s will, praying for his help and guidance. Don’t force the issue. Something will happen – in your own heart, or in the circumstances of your life. But if it doesn’t happen then… Weigh up the pros and cons Take some extra time to reflect on your life and on all the factors that seem significant in this choice. What are the options before you? Write down the pros and cons of each option. Think about them. Weigh them up. Put the list away and come back to it a few days later. What seems to be most important for you? What seems best? Imagine that you have made a decision It can sometimes help to imagine that we have made one particular choice (and then to imagine that we have made an alternative choice). Be very concrete. Imagine telling your friends and family; imagine taking the next step. Imagine changing your life accordingly. Imagine where you will be in a few weeks, a few months. What feelings does this stir up? What hopes and fears? Excitement? Relief? Despondency? Regret? These feelings can sometimes reveal what is deep in our heart. Another idea is to imagine you are at the very end of your life, looking back on all that might have happened as you followed this path. Can you be proud of such a life and pleased to offer it to God? Or would you be disappointed or sad? Talk to someone Not just anyone, not just a friend who will say what you want to hear. It should be someone you trust, a committed Catholic, who is wise, and who will be honest with you. It might be a friend or relation or a priest you know; or someone you don’t know who has been recommended by, for example, your parish priest. They might give you some good advice and encouragement. But even if they don’t say much it is enormously valuable to talk about our hopes and fears in this way. It forces us to put into words the vague thoughts and feelings we have; and it gives us new courage and clarity simply because we have been brave enough to open our heart to another person – our hopes and worries about vocation are no longer just a ‘secret’, they become more real, more urgent. Pray Pray to God for guidance and help. Pray especially to the Holy Spirit for wisdom. Make a particular prayer each day for help as you make this decision. If you are about to make a big decision, ask a priest to offer Mass for your own personal intentions (which are that you will make a good decision – you don’t have to explain all this to him). To offer Mass for an intention in this way brings great graces to any situation. But don’t pray too much! Sometimes, especially if you are feeling desperate, you might think that you have to pray more and more, as if you are forcing God’s hand. It can become a kind of superstition, and you half-worry that God will not help you unless you pray for hours every day and turn your life upside down with devotions. This is simply not true. God loves you and cares for you and wants the best for you. He certainly wants you to pray, but in whatever way is right for you as a layperson studying or working in the world. Listen to your heart Sometimes, when we make time to think about one course of action or one possibility, it brings with it a deep sense of peace and joy; not just a passing mood or emotion, but an inner feeling that something is right, a contentment and quiet excitement, a sense of reassurance and freedom, of being on the right track. At other times, when we stop to reflect in this way, an idea brings with it feelings of fear and panic and worry and insecurity; a sense of heaviness and imposition and unnecessary obligation. The spiritual peace (or ‘consolation’) can be a sign that one path is right for us, a sign that it fits with who we are and who God calls us to be. The fear and panic (or ‘desolation’) can be a sign that one path is not right for us, that it is pulling us away from who we are and who God calls us to be. But some fears and doubts, natural fears that we are bound to face when we make big decisions, are not signs of anything deep – and they simply need to be faced and overcome. Take a single step If you are still unsure what to do and feel paralysed and unable to make a big decision, it can help to make a small decision instead. Decide to take just one step down a certain path, the next step – so that you can see how it feels and how it turns out. You don’t need to find certainty that this is the final step for you; you simply need to have some confidence that it is a good and worthwhile step in itself at this moment. For example, if you have never talked to anyone about your dilemmas, then decide to talk to someone. If you are unsure about a vocation to the priesthood, then at least go and speak to your vocations director. If you are fond of someone but unsure about marriage, then at least try to get to know them better. If you would love to be a nun, but feel pulled in different directions, then make a decision to visit a convent and even arrange to stay for a few days. If you are seriously considering a vocation to the priesthood or the religious life, but still unsure of how to find certainty – then why not consider making an application and see how you feel? You can always change your mind in the next few weeks. Or you can leave after the first few months. Often simply making one decision helps us to see that it is the wrong decision – and nothing is lost, but great clarity is gained. Or perhaps you won’t be accepted, and that will certainly be a sign that this is not for you. Make a decision The English language is instructive. We don’t find a decision – we make one. Sometimes we imagine that a vocation is something we have to find: if I can only find the answer, read the signs, discover the path – then I will happily walk along it. There is some truth to this, and the title of this booklet is all about ‘discovering’ your vocation. But as well as this, a vocation is also something you have to choose. With all the signs in front of you, with all that lies in your own heart, there is a moment when you will need to weigh everything up and simply make a decision. Not a final decision you are certain about, but the best decision possible at this time – a ‘provisional’ decision. Looking for infallible signs can paradoxically be a way of avoiding the responsibility and risk of making a decision. There are not many moments of decision like this, but there are some. You can trust that God will help you to make a wise decision now; and above all that his plan for your life will unfold through the consequences of your prayerful decision. If it is the ‘wrong’ provisional decision, and you are meant to be somewhere else – he will make that clear before too long. If it is the ‘right’ provisional decision, and you are meant to continue along this road – he will confirm that for you and make it clearer and clearer. Only when you are at the stage of making lifelong promises or vows will he ask you to make an irrevocable decision – and by that stage you will have had many reassurances that this is the right path for you. Trust in Providence Above all, you can trust in God’s Providence. If you are not yet at the point of making decisions, then trust that God will guide and enlighten you. If you are about to make an important decision, trust that God will help you to make a wise one. If you have made a decision, trust that God will lead you to know if it is indeed the right one. He loves you more than you love yourself. He cares for you with an unbounded tenderness and affection. His power is greater than any other force in creation, and his Providence is guiding everything and will put right even the mistakes you may make. So be at peace. Do all that you can; but trust in the Lord. (Photo: mazur/catholicchurch.org.uk)
Obstacles Many factors can get in the way of our vocation; they can make it difficult to discern or difficult to make a commitment once we have discerned. There is no space here to look carefully at all these difficulties. Sometimes it is enough just to flag them up, so that if they are present in your life you can notice them more easily and face them more honestly. Here are some of the common difficulties that arise when people are discerning their vocation, together with a single thought about each one to encourage you or help you. If you meet a real difficulty, pray about it, and talk to someone about it, so it does not become too much of an obstacle. Try not to worry. Be at peace. Trust that God is more powerful than all your worries. Tell him your honest anxieties, and put them in his loving hands. Lack of trust You may have a distorted image of God. You may think he is like an absent parent who doesn’t love you, or a kind uncle who will never make any demands on you, or a vengeful tyrant who is punishing you for something, or an unpredictable boss who wants to force you into a vocation that will not be right for you. Instead, trust him. He is a tender Father who is both loving and demanding. He cares for you more than you care for yourself. Sometimes he might challenge you and call you to something unexpected but it will always be for your ultimate good and happiness. Noise, busyness, overwork Perhaps you can’t hear God’s call because you never make any space to listen to him. Every hour is full up, and your mind is constantly cluttered with work, noise, music, and other distractions. Make space for God and for at least some moments of silence in each day. Not praying, not living your faith You will never know yourself properly or know the call of the Lord if you are not making some space for prayer each day and trying to live your Catholic faith. Sin, worldliness If you are trapped in some habitual sin or caught up in a completely worldly lifestyle, it may be impossible to listen to your own heart or to God. Be honest with yourself; go to confession; try to make a new start even if you are still struggling. Addictive behaviours Alcohol, drugs, pornography, sex, gambling; even activities that are harmless in themselves like work, sport, texting, the internet, gaming, Facebook – they can become like addictions that cover up our deepest needs and cut us off from true selves. Try and break any addictive patterns of behaviour your are trapped in. And if you can’t – then get help. Avoiding the question of vocation If the question of vocation is nagging at you, don’t just run away from it. It will come back whether you like it or not! And in the meantime you will make yourself more and more unhappy. So face it honestly, in prayer and in conversations with someone you trust. Fear of commitment We rightly value freedom, but in the Western world we confuse freedom with being able to choose from an endless variety of options. Commitment to anything, let alone for life, seems like a limitation, even a loss of oneself. But to have a series of endless options is actually to have no options – because you never embrace any one of them with your whole heart. God may be inviting you to make a lifelong commitment, to put down roots so that you can truly flourish, to build one concrete life rather than to fantasise about innumerable possible lives, to take responsibility for your own life. It is sometimes better to do one thing with your unreserved commitment than to drift through life without any firm sense of purpose. Desire for certainty It’s unlikely that you will ever be 100% certain about any significant choice – of course there are doubts and questions. But you can be sure enough that this is a reasonable step to take, when things come together and the time is right. Yes, it’s a risk. But it’s also a risk not to make a choice. Life is full of risks. God is always with us, supporting and guiding us – even if we make a decision in good faith and things seem to go wrong. Fear of your own inadequacy Perhaps you fear you are not the right person for this vocation, even though you feel attracted to it. You worry that you are not holy enough, not intelligent enough, not qualified enough, not loving enough, too shy, too sociable… Perhaps you are right. But perhaps you are underestimating yourself or underestimating God. He chooses the weak and makes them strong. Sometimes he invites us to do what seems impossible, and only later on gives us the strength to do it. Why not take a step anyway – and let God decide further down the line if it is really not for you. Attachment to personal ambition or lifestyle Any lifelong commitment will involve some sacrifice and cost, giving up something you are attached to now (lifestyle, habits, income, pleasures, people), letting go of what could have been (freedom, dreams, ambitions). Sometimes we have to move on – it’s inevitable. Trust that if this is really your vocation, it will be a treasure that will be worth any sacrifice, and that God will ‘reimburse’ you in other unexpected ways. Remember that our minds usually exaggerate the difficulties; and God will help you to deal with the ones that remain. And be honest if the real reason you are reluctant to follow your vocation is simply selfishness. Fear of failure If this is the right step for you, then God will sustain you. If he wants you to flourish and find happiness here, then you will. If he is actually leading you somewhere else, and it seems like you have failed in your provisional decision to try a vocation – then trust that this will be part of his loving plan. He writes straight with crooked lines. What matters is not success or failure, but whether you have tried to be faithful to his call at each moment. Conflicting desires You are trying to listen to your heart, but you find that there are many conflicting desires there, and not one of them seems to be more important than the others. Then follow the advice in chapter 6 above: Pray, wait for as long as you need to, and if everything is still unclear, then take a step in one direction just to test the water. The Lord will gradually show you whether this is the right step or whether you should go back and try another. Desire for perfection Perhaps you want to be a religious brother or sister but you can’t find an order that is good enough for you; you want to be a Diocesan priest but don’t like the bishop in your Diocese; you want to be married but no-one matches up to your standards. It may be that you haven’t found the right person or diocese or congregation yet; but it may be that you need to settle for what is ‘good enough’. No person or congregation is perfect, and if you are looking for perfection you will never find it. The search for perfection might strangely be a way of avoiding a vocation. Try the 80% rule: If 80% of what you are looking at is good – then that’s pretty good! Perhaps you can live with the other 20%, or see it in a new light, or change it. Age You fear you are too old to get married or become a priest or consecrated person. You fear you have missed the boat. But the Lord wants you to accept that this is the age that you are. Give thanks to God for who you are and where you are, instead of regretting what has not happened in the past. If you are pulled towards a certain vocation, whatever your age, then take a step and test that vocation. If God wants you to follow it, he will make things possible. Opposition from people you love Your family or friends are against you taking this step. It may be true that they have some insight that you don’t have, and you should certainly listen to them respectfully. But it may be that they are unable to support you in your vocation because of their own lack of faith or personal fears. Sometimes you need to be strong and do what you feel is right, even in the face of opposition or misunderstanding. If you have carefully discerned that this is the right step, then explain it as best you can to those you love, and take it courageously – trusting that God will help them to understand or at least to accept it some time in the future. Opposition from the culture and society Some vocational choices, even Christian marriage, will sometimes be misunderstood or mocked by contemporary society, and perhaps by friends or colleagues. Recognise that to be a Christian will involve some misunderstanding and even persecution, especially if you make a lifelong vocational commitment. Be as loving and kind as you can, and explain your choices gently to people if they ask. Don’t stir up opposition and seek controversy. But if it comes, don’t be deterred. A long-term relationship that is drifting If you have been dating someone for a long time, and the relationship is not deepening and drawing you in the direction of marriage, and if you are in effect going out with someone simply for the sake of it – then this can make your own discernment of vocation very difficult. The relationship is taking up your time and emotional energy and taking away your freedom to discern properly. You can’t be properly open to other vocations; you can’t even be open to meeting other people. Even though there may be a real love and commitment between you both, if you are drifting, then it is usually better to make a proper decision about marriage, or draw things to an end – so that each of you can be free to discover what is God’s plan for you. Fear of not having a family If you are considering priesthood or consecrated life then you may well be anxious about the idea of not having a husband or wife and a family. This is quite understandable. And perhaps you should indeed get married! But this anxiety might stem partly from the fear that a celibate life will be a life without love. You need to believe two things. First, the celibate life is a life full of love – of the intimate love of Christ, and the love of all those you will meet and work with and live with. And you will, God willing, discover an aspect of ‘spiritual fatherhood’ or ‘spiritual motherhood’ in your vocation – loving and nurturing those in your care – that will be deeply fulfilling. But second, there are certainly sacrifices made in a life of celibacy, not least in letting go of the possibility of the love of marriage and family. But there are also huge sacrifices made in marriage, and sometimes much loneliness. The cost of loving is high in any Christian vocation. What matters is that you find what is right for you – and trust that God will give you all the love you need, through prayer and through others, to sustain you in this vocation. (Photo: mazur/catholicchurch.org.uk)
Training St. Sebastain's has online training for those trying their discernment to the Diaconate/Priesthood. we have a theology course where you will be asked to create a portfolio. HOLY ORDERS Clerical progress within the Church involves appropriate and relevant studies, to be accomplished according to the requirements and standards of the Church. seminaries are grounded in theology and liturgy they will undertake distant learning course on ‘Dimensions of Christianity’. Also, the liturgical rites of the seven sacraments of the Church. If you are interested in Holy Orders Why not contact us by visiting Archbishop Kieran on Facebook.
Prayers for those discerning their Vocation Loving God, Is it I, Lord? Are you calling me to a vocation of ministry in the Church as Priest, Brother or Deacon? Or if I am already living out a life’s vocation, are you asking me to help call others to the ministry of leadership in the Church? We need men and women to help lead us as Church, Lord. We are your people of St. Sebastian's ICC Speak to us Lord. Open the minds and hearts of many men and women to live your Word and build your Kingdom. Speak to me Lord. Plant your Word within me so that whatever you call me to be or do I may say Yes, Here I Am Lord. Lord here I am! What would you like me to do with my life? Loving God, your Son, Jesus, has shown us that an open heart finds the way. Help me to find my way in this world. Keep my heart open to following Jesus’ way of serving others in love. Give me the courage to accept the guidance you offer me through my family, my friends, and my parish community. Through the Holy Spirit, you call me to a particular way of life. If it is the way of a Priest, Religious Sister, Brother or Deacon, then help me to walk it in joyful service to your people. With you, my God, I know I can find my way. Amen. Gracious God, You have called me to life and blest me in many ways. Through Baptism You have sent me to continue the mission of Jesus by sharing my love with others. Strengthen me to respond to Your call each day. Help me to become all You desire of me. Inspire me to make a difference in others’ lives. Lead me to choose the way of life You have planned for me. Open the hearts of all to listen to Your call. Fill all with Your Holy Spirit that we may have listening hearts and the courage to respond to You. Enkindle in my heart and the hearts of others the desire to make the world a better place by serving as Priest, Deacon, Brother, Sister or Lay Minister. Amen. Prayer for an increase in Vocations Father, we’re your people, the work of your hands. So precious are we in your sight that you sent your Son, Jesus. Jesus calls us to heal the broken-hearted, to dry the tears of those who mourn, to give hope to those who despair, and to rejoice in your steadfast love. We, the baptised, realize our call to serve. Help us to know how. Call forth from among us priests, sisters, brothers and lay ministers. With our hearts you continue to love your people. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen. (Photo: catholicrelics.co.uk)
