Discernment
“Discernment” is the process of making decisions in which we involve God and our faith. Important questions such as “What am I to do with my life?” should not be made lightly. Rather, as Christians, we should always be seeking to know the will of God and how to follow that will in our lives.
Steps to Discernment
1. Stay Close to the Sacraments
Participate in Mass every Sunday, on holy days of obligation and daily when your schedule permits. Make frequent confession, once a month or even more often. Not yet confirmed? Do it! Your local pastor can assist you.
2. Get a Spiritual Director
Ask a priest to meet with you once a month for 30 to 60 minutes for confession and to discuss your spiritual life. Tell him you're considering priesthood. A Spiritual Director can help you work through the process of deciding what God is saying to you and where He is calling you in this life. Many priests are happy to assist you in this way – start with a priest you know and trust.
3. Pray Every Day
Develop a daily prayer routine with your spiritual director. Pray for God to give you not only knowledge of what He wants you to do but the courage to do it. Prayer can be informal and conversational, but it should also be well-structured. The Rosary and the Liturgy of the Hours are wonderful “anchors” to a prayer routine, especially for those in discernment.
4. Serve Your Parish
Look for ways and opportunities to get involved in your parish life. Choose one parish and register - don't float from parish to parish. You can volunteer as a server at Mass, a Lector, an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, usher, catechist, cantor, and many other ways. Ask your priest what you might be able to do.
If you do these things and believe that you might have a vocation, it's probably time to contact Fr. Austin Murphy, Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, 410-547-5426.
