{"id":30,"date":"2022-09-12T18:53:48","date_gmt":"2022-09-12T22:53:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.archbalt.org\/vocations\/discern\/dont-discern-alone\/"},"modified":"2024-10-09T14:12:57","modified_gmt":"2024-10-09T18:12:57","slug":"discernment","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.archbalt.org\/vocations\/pray-discern\/discernment\/","title":{"rendered":"Discernment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-hero stk-block-hero stk-block stk-3257a2f stk-block-background is-style-default stk--has-background-overlay\" data-v=\"2\" data-block-id=\"3257a2f\"><style>.stk-3257a2f-inner-blocks{justify-content:center !important}.stk-3257a2f{background-image:url(https:\/\/www.archbalt.org\/vocations\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/09\/discernment-hdr.jpg) !important}.stk-3257a2f:before{background-color:#000000 !important;opacity:0.3 !important}.stk-3257a2f .stk-block-hero__content{min-height:500px !important}<\/style><div class=\"stk-block-hero__content stk-content-align stk-3257a2f-column stk-container stk-3257a2f-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks has-text-align-center stk--column-flex stk-3257a2f-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-e0d5e36\" id=\"discernment\" data-block-id=\"e0d5e36\"><style>.stk-e0d5e36 .stk-block-heading__text{font-size:50px !important;color:#ffffff !important;font-weight:700 !important}@media screen and (max-width:1023px){.stk-e0d5e36 .stk-block-heading__text{font-size:50px !important}}@media screen and (max-width:767px){.stk-e0d5e36 .stk-block-heading__text{font-size:40px !important}}<\/style><h1 class=\"stk-block-heading__text has-text-color has-white-color stk-block-heading--use-theme-margins\">Discernment<\/h1><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-3f2cc91\" data-block-id=\"3f2cc91\"><style>.stk-3f2cc91{max-width:1280px !important;padding-right:30px !important;padding-left:30px !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-bottom:59px !important;margin-left:auto !important}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-3f2cc91-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-975186d\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"975186d\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-975186d-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-975186d-inner-blocks\">\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">What is Discernment?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"line-height:1.4\">How is God calling you? Each of us has gifts that God has given us. What are these gifts? How is God asking us to use these gifts in service to Him and His Church? The adventure of discernment is an adventure of inviting God into your personal decisions, especially discovering and pursuing your vocation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-divider stk-block-divider stk-block stk-090019a\" data-block-id=\"090019a\"><hr class=\"stk-block-divider__hr\" \/><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-d2bc10c\" data-block-id=\"d2bc10c\"><style>.stk-d2bc10c .stk--block-align-d2bc10c{align-items:stretch !important}.stk-d2bc10c{min-height:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important}.stk-d2bc10c-column{--stk-column-gap:30px !important}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks has-text-align-center stk--block-align-d2bc10c stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-d2bc10c-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-3f708ae stk-block-background\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"3f708ae\"><style>.stk-3f708ae-container{margin-top:12px !important;margin-right:12px !important;margin-bottom:12px !important;margin-left:12px !important;background-color:#ffffff !important;box-shadow:none !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important}.stk-3f708ae{align-self:stretch !important;background-color:#ffffff !important;box-shadow:0 5px 30px -10px rgba(18,63,82,0.3) !important;margin-bottom:20px !important}.stk-3f708ae:before{background-color:#ffffff !important}.stk-3f708ae-container:before{background-color:#ffffff !important}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-3f708ae-container stk-hover-parent\"><div class=\"has-text-align-center stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-3f708ae-inner-blocks\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color\" style=\"color:#435b8f;line-height:1.4\"><em><strong>\u201cThe Lord has his plan for each of us, he calls each one of us by name. Our task is to be listeners, capable of perceiving his call, to be courageous and faithful, so that we may follow him, and in the end, be found as trustworthy servants who have used well the gifts entrusted to us.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><br>Pope Benedict XVI<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-7b48e3a stk-block-background\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"7b48e3a\"><style>.stk-7b48e3a-container{margin-top:12px !important;margin-right:12px !important;margin-bottom:12px !important;margin-left:12px !important;background-color:#ffffff !important;box-shadow:none !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important}.stk-7b48e3a{align-self:stretch !important;background-color:#ffffff !important;box-shadow:0 5px 30px -10px rgba(18,63,82,0.3) !important;margin-bottom:20px !important}.stk-7b48e3a:before{background-color:#ffffff !important}.stk-7b48e3a-container:before{background-color:#ffffff !important}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-7b48e3a-container stk-hover-parent\"><div class=\"has-text-align-center stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-7b48e3a-inner-blocks\">\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#435b8f;line-height:1.4\"><strong><em>&#8220;Discernment is not about discovering what more we can get out of this life, but about recognising how we can better accomplish the mission entrusted to us at our baptism.&#8221;<\/em><\/strong><br>Pope Francis<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-2df5ec6\" data-block-id=\"2df5ec6\"><style>.stk-2df5ec6 .stk--block-align-2df5ec6{align-items:stretch !important}.stk-2df5ec6{min-height:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important}.stk-2df5ec6-column{--stk-column-gap:30px !important}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks has-text-align-center stk--block-align-2df5ec6 stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-2df5ec6-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-212f5f3 stk-block-background\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"212f5f3\"><style>.stk-212f5f3-container{margin-top:12px !important;margin-right:12px !important;margin-bottom:12px !important;margin-left:12px !important;background-color:#ffffff !important;box-shadow:none !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important}.stk-212f5f3{align-self:stretch !important;background-color:#ffffff !important;box-shadow:0 5px 30px -10px rgba(18,63,82,0.3) !important;margin-bottom:20px !important}.stk-212f5f3:before{background-color:#ffffff !important}.stk-212f5f3-container:before{background-color:#ffffff !important}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-212f5f3-container stk-hover-parent\"><div class=\"has-text-align-center stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-212f5f3-inner-blocks\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color\" style=\"color:#435b8f;line-height:1.4\"><strong><em>&#8220;Our only desire and our one choice should be this: I want and I choose what better leads to God&#8217;s deepening life in me.&#8221;<\/em><\/strong><br>St. Ignatius Loyola<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-512c123 stk-block-background\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"512c123\"><style>.stk-512c123-container{margin-top:12px !important;margin-right:12px !important;margin-bottom:12px !important;margin-left:12px !important;background-color:#ffffff !important;box-shadow:none !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important}.stk-512c123{align-self:stretch !important;background-color:#ffffff !important;box-shadow:0 5px 30px -10px rgba(18,63,82,0.3) !important;margin-bottom:20px !important}.stk-512c123:before{background-color:#ffffff !important}.stk-512c123-container:before{background-color:#ffffff !important}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-512c123-container stk-hover-parent\"><div class=\"has-text-align-center stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-512c123-inner-blocks\">\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#435b8f;line-height:1.4\"><strong><em>\u201cVocation does not come from a voice out there calling me to be something I am not. It comes from a voice in here calling me to be the person I was born to be, to fulfill the original self hood given me at birth by God.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><br>Thomas Merton<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-4d55926\" data-block-id=\"4d55926\"><style>.stk-4d55926 .stk--block-align-4d55926{align-items:stretch !important}.stk-4d55926{min-height:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important}.stk-4d55926-column{--stk-column-gap:30px !important}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks has-text-align-center stk--block-align-4d55926 stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-4d55926-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-fa2758a stk-block-background\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"fa2758a\"><style>.stk-fa2758a-container{margin-top:12px !important;margin-right:12px !important;margin-bottom:12px !important;margin-left:12px !important;background-color:#ffffff !important;box-shadow:none !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important}.stk-fa2758a{align-self:stretch !important;background-color:#ffffff !important;box-shadow:0 5px 30px -10px rgba(18,63,82,0.3) !important;margin-bottom:20px !important}.stk-fa2758a:before{background-color:#ffffff !important}.stk-fa2758a-container:before{background-color:#ffffff !important}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-fa2758a-container stk-hover-parent\"><div class=\"has-text-align-center stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-fa2758a-inner-blocks\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color\" style=\"color:#435b8f;line-height:1.4\"><strong><em>\u201cLet nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you. All things are passing away: God never changes. Patience obtains all things. Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><br>St. Teresa of Avila<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-910f695 stk-block-background\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"910f695\"><style>.stk-910f695-container{margin-top:12px !important;margin-right:12px !important;margin-bottom:12px !important;margin-left:12px !important;background-color:#ffffff !important;box-shadow:none !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important}.stk-910f695{align-self:stretch !important;background-color:#ffffff !important;box-shadow:0 5px 30px -10px rgba(18,63,82,0.3) !important;margin-bottom:20px !important}.stk-910f695:before{background-color:#ffffff !important}.stk-910f695-container:before{background-color:#ffffff !important}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-910f695-container stk-hover-parent\"><div class=\"has-text-align-center stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-910f695-inner-blocks\">\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#435b8f;line-height:1.4\"><strong><em>\u201cVocations aren\u2019t the result of planning, but an encounter with God that changes your life.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><br>Pope Francis<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-c24e5a8\" data-block-id=\"c24e5a8\"><style>.stk-c24e5a8 .stk--block-align-c24e5a8{align-items:stretch !important}.stk-c24e5a8{min-height:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important}.stk-c24e5a8-column{--stk-column-gap:30px !important}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks has-text-align-center stk--block-align-c24e5a8 stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-c24e5a8-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-bc9fd0b stk-block-background\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"bc9fd0b\"><style>.stk-bc9fd0b-container{margin-top:12px !important;margin-right:12px !important;margin-bottom:12px !important;margin-left:12px !important;background-color:#ffffff !important;box-shadow:none !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important}.stk-bc9fd0b{align-self:stretch !important;background-color:#ffffff !important;box-shadow:0 5px 30px -10px rgba(18,63,82,0.3) !important;margin-bottom:20px !important}.stk-bc9fd0b:before{background-color:#ffffff !important}.stk-bc9fd0b-container:before{background-color:#ffffff !important}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-bc9fd0b-container stk-hover-parent\"><div class=\"has-text-align-center stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-bc9fd0b-inner-blocks\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color\" style=\"color:#435b8f;line-height:1.4\"><strong><em>&#8220;Put your hand in Mary\u2019s hand and ask her to lead you to Jesus. When Jesus came into her life, she went in haste to give Him to others. And you too when you become His priest, with her go in haste to give Jesus to others.&#8221;<\/em><\/strong><br>St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">How do I know how God is calling me?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-f700eec\" data-block-id=\"f700eec\"><style>.stk-f700eec .stk--block-align-f700eec{align-items:stretch !important}.stk-f700eec{min-height:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important}.stk-f700eec-column{--stk-column-gap:30px !important}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks has-text-align-center stk--block-align-f700eec stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-f700eec-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-4d94bf1 stk-block-background\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"4d94bf1\"><style>.stk-4d94bf1-container{margin-top:12px !important;margin-right:12px !important;margin-bottom:12px !important;margin-left:12px !important;background-color:#ffffff !important;box-shadow:none !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important}.stk-4d94bf1{align-self:stretch !important;background-color:#ffffff !important;box-shadow:0 5px 30px -10px rgba(18,63,82,0.3) !important;margin-bottom:20px !important}.stk-4d94bf1:before{background-color:#ffffff !important}.stk-4d94bf1-container:before{background-color:#ffffff !important}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-4d94bf1-container stk-hover-parent\"><div class=\"has-text-align-center stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-4d94bf1-inner-blocks\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color\" style=\"color:#435b8f;line-height:1.4\"><strong><em>&#8220;We [need to be] aware of our temptations and fears, the consolations and lights given to us by God, and the various movements that happen within us.&#8221;<\/em><\/strong><br>St. Ignatius Loyola<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-9269cec\" data-block-id=\"9269cec\"><style>.stk-9269cec .stk--block-align-9269cec{align-items:stretch !important}.stk-9269cec{min-height:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important}.stk-9269cec-column{--stk-column-gap:30px !important}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks has-text-align-center stk--block-align-9269cec stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-9269cec-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-d77437a stk-block-background\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"d77437a\"><style>.stk-d77437a-container{margin-top:12px !important;margin-right:12px !important;margin-bottom:12px !important;margin-left:12px !important;background-color:#ffffff !important;box-shadow:none !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important}.stk-d77437a{align-self:stretch !important;background-color:#ffffff !important;box-shadow:0 5px 30px -10px rgba(18,63,82,0.3) !important;margin-bottom:20px !important}.stk-d77437a:before{background-color:#ffffff !important}.stk-d77437a-container:before{background-color:#ffffff !important}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-d77437a-container stk-hover-parent\"><div class=\"has-text-align-center stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-d77437a-inner-blocks\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color\" style=\"color:#435b8f;line-height:1.4\"><strong><em>\u201cYou will know your vocation by the joy that it brings you.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><br>Dorothy Day<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-d681977\" data-block-id=\"d681977\"><style>.stk-d681977 .stk--block-align-d681977{align-items:stretch !important}.stk-d681977{min-height:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important}.stk-d681977-column{--stk-column-gap:30px !important}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks has-text-align-center stk--block-align-d681977 stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-d681977-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-b030e15 stk-block-background\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"b030e15\"><style>.stk-b030e15-container{margin-top:12px !important;margin-right:12px !important;margin-bottom:12px !important;margin-left:12px !important;background-color:#ffffff !important;box-shadow:none !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important}.stk-b030e15{align-self:stretch !important;background-color:#ffffff !important;box-shadow:0 5px 30px -10px rgba(18,63,82,0.3) !important;margin-bottom:20px !important}.stk-b030e15:before{background-color:#ffffff !important}.stk-b030e15-container:before{background-color:#ffffff !important}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-b030e15-container stk-hover-parent\"><div class=\"has-text-align-center stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-b030e15-inner-blocks\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color\" style=\"color:#435b8f;line-height:1.4\"><strong><em>\u201cGod speaks with us in many different ways. He speaks by means of others, through friends, parents, pastors, priests. Here, the priests to whom you are entrusted, who are guiding you\u2026He speaks by means of the events of our life, in which we can discern God\u2019s gesture; he speaks also through nature, creation, and he speaks, naturally and above all, in his Word, in Sacred Scripture, read in the communion of the Church and read personally in conversation with God.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><br>Pope Benedict XVI<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Don\u2019t Discern Alone<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-041d4ae\" data-block-id=\"041d4ae\"><style>.stk-041d4ae .stk--block-align-041d4ae{align-items:stretch !important}.stk-041d4ae{min-height:0px !important;margin-top:30px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important}.stk-041d4ae-column{--stk-column-gap:30px !important}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks has-text-align-center stk--block-align-041d4ae stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-041d4ae-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-ab66225 stk-block-background\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"ab66225\"><style>.stk-ab66225-container{margin-top:12px !important;margin-right:12px !important;margin-bottom:12px !important;margin-left:12px !important;background-color:#ffffff !important;box-shadow:none !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important}.stk-ab66225{align-self:stretch !important;background-color:#ffffff !important;box-shadow:0 5px 30px -10px rgba(18,63,82,0.3) !important;margin-bottom:20px !important}.stk-ab66225:before{background-color:#ffffff !important}.stk-ab66225-container:before{background-color:#ffffff !important}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-ab66225-container stk-hover-parent\"><div class=\"has-text-align-center stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-ab66225-inner-blocks\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color\" style=\"color:#435b8f;line-height:1.4\"><strong><em>\u201cThere is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><br>St. Thomas Aquinas<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"line-height:1.4\"><strong>First<\/strong> and foremost, you want to foster your <strong>RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST<\/strong>. Go to Mass, receive Communion, and spend time in Adoration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"line-height:1.4\"><strong>Second<\/strong>, foster a <strong>RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BLESSED MOTHER<\/strong>. Consecrate yourself to the Immaculate Heart, wear her scapular, and pray her rosary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"line-height:1.4\"><strong>Third<\/strong>, foster a <strong>RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SAINTS<\/strong>. Pray to your patron saint, read the Martyrology, and read from the Doctors such as St. Alphonsus, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Jerome, or St. Augustine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"line-height:1.4\"><strong>Fourth<\/strong>, find a good <strong>SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR<\/strong>. They help you to hear and understand the ways the Lord is speaking to you. Finding a Spiritual Director whom you feel comfortable with is a process that can take some time, but the Vocations Office has resources to help you begin. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.archbalt.org\/vocations\/contact-us\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"209\">Contact us<\/a> if you would like help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"line-height:1.4\">Finally, foster <strong>GOOD HEALTHY FRIENDSHIPS WITH MEN AND WOMEN<\/strong>. Friendships are a great gift from God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Overcoming Fear<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Fear is often an obstacle to clarity in discernment and pursuing what God wants for our life.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You might find yourself:\n<ul>\n<li>Feeling unworthy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Feeling uncertain<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fearing the commitment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In light of your fears:\n<ul>\n<li>Reflect on your gifts and how you desire to use them to build up God\u2019s kingdom.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Turn your fears into concerns.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reflect on God\u2019s love.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Offer your fears to Mary, our Mother.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Remember: The Devil one does not want good and holy priests so he will do all he can to deter us from pursuing our vocation. Do not lose heart! Pursue clarity and consolation through scripture, good and holy people around you, and in the depth of your heart. Do not ignore the consistent promptings of your heart.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-56f386d\" data-block-id=\"56f386d\"><style>.stk-56f386d .stk--block-align-56f386d{align-items:stretch !important}.stk-56f386d{min-height:0px !important;margin-top:30px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important}.stk-56f386d-column{--stk-column-gap:30px !important}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks has-text-align-center stk--block-align-56f386d stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-56f386d-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-87179b3 stk-block-background\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"87179b3\"><style>.stk-87179b3-container{margin-top:12px !important;margin-right:12px !important;margin-bottom:12px !important;margin-left:12px !important;background-color:#ffffff !important;box-shadow:none !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important}.stk-87179b3{align-self:stretch !important;background-color:#ffffff !important;box-shadow:0 5px 30px -10px rgba(18,63,82,0.3) !important;margin-bottom:20px !important}.stk-87179b3:before{background-color:#ffffff !important}.stk-87179b3-container:before{background-color:#ffffff !important}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-87179b3-container stk-hover-parent\"><div class=\"has-text-align-center stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-87179b3-inner-blocks\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color\" style=\"color:#435b8f;line-height:1.4\"><strong><em>\u201cGod is infinite in power and he loves me infinitely. There is no snatching out of his hand. God will never send me where his grace cannot sustain me. If he asks me to do something difficult, like become a priest, he will give me the grace to do it. I will not fail because he is with me. And I will be happy because I am doing his will. Even if I lack some of the needed qualities, God will help me develop them. In his will lies my peace\u201d<\/em><\/strong><br>(To Save a Thousand Souls, Fr. Brett Brannen)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-b8924b6\" data-block-id=\"b8924b6\"><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-b8924b6-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-36dcef8\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"36dcef8\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-36dcef8-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-36dcef8-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-2c37d5d\" data-block-id=\"2c37d5d\"><style>.stk-2c37d5d{max-width:1280px !important;padding-right:30px !important;padding-left:30px !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-left:auto !important}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-2c37d5d-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-9f9af53\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"9f9af53\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-9f9af53-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"has-text-align-left stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-9f9af53-inner-blocks\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Reading for Prayer &amp; Discernment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left\">Scripture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\"><strong>Old Testament<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>1 Sam 3:1-10 | The Call of Samuel: \u201cSpeak, Lord, for your servant is listening\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Isa 6:1-13 | The Call of Isaiah: \u201c\u2019Whom shall I send?\u2019\u2026\u2018Here I am\u2026send me!\u2019\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Isa 43:1: \u201cDo not fear, for I have redeemed you; have called you by name, you are mine\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>d. Isa 45:4: \u201cI have called you by your name\u2026 though you knew me not.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Jer 1:1-10: The call of Jeremiah: \u201c\u2019Lord God, I know not how to speak. I am too young\u2026\u2019 \u2018Say not I am too young\u2026 to whomever I send you, you shall go.\u2019\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Jer 20: 7-9 | Jeremiah\u2019s crisis: \u201cYou duped me O Lord and I let myself be duped. You were too strong for me and you triumphed\u2026 It seemed like a fire burning in my heart.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Jon 1-3 | The Call of Jonah: \u201cThe word of the Lord came to Jonah; set out for the great city of Ninevah and preach against it\u2026\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\"><strong>New Testament<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Mt 4:18-22 or Mk 1:16-20 | Jesus Calls his first disciples: \u201cCome after me and I will make you fishers of men.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mt 16:24-28: \u201cWhoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mt 19: 16-30 or Mk 10: 17-27 | The Rich Young Man: \u201cIf you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mt 20:20-28 or Mk 10:35-45 | The request of James and John: \u201cAnyone who wants to be great among you must be your servant\u2026 just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for the many.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mt 28 | The Great Commission: \u201cGo ye therefore and make disciples of all the nations.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Jn 15:9-17: \u201cYou did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mk 3:13 | The Mission of the Twelve: \u201cHe summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mk 10:28-30 | The Reward of Discipleship: \u201cWe have given up everything and followed you\u2026you will be repaid a hundred times more now in this present age\u2026 and eternal life in the age to come.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lk 14:25-33 | Jesus on Discipleship: \u201cWhoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1 Cor 1:26-31 | God calls who He chooses: \u201cConsider your own calling\u2026 Not many of you were wise\u2026 Rather God chose the foolish to shame the wise.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\"><strong>Scripture about Priesthood<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Heb 5:1-10: \u201cEvery high priest is taken from among men\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Heb 10:10-17: \u201cEvery priest stands daily at his ministry\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Heb 7:17: \u201cYou are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Heb 8:3: \u201cNow every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\"><strong>Scripture about Celibacy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Lk 18:29-30: \u201cAnyone who has given up house or wife or brothers\u2026 for the sake of the Kingdom of God will receive back an overabundant return in this present age and eternal life in the age to come.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hos 2:21-22: \u201cI will espouse you to me forever; I will espouse you in fidelity and you shall know the Lord\u2026\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left\">Books<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\"><strong>Books on Discernment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>To Save a Thousand Souls: A Guide for Discerning a Vocation to Diocesan Priesthood | by: Fr. Brett Brannen<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is Jesus Calling You To Be A Catholic Priest? A Helpful Guide | by: Fr. Thomas Richter<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Radical Surrender; Letters to Seminarians | by: Fr. Michael Najim<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Paths of Love: The Discernment of Vocation According to the Teaching of Aquinas, Ignatius, and Pope John Paul II | by: Joseph Bolin<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\"><strong>Books on Celibacy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>The Courage to be Chaste | by: Fr. Benedict Groeschel<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sacerdotalis Caelibatus (Priestly Celibacy) | by: Pope Paul VI, 1967<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Virginity | by: Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201c\u2026And You are Christ\u2019s\u201d The Charism of Virginity and the Celibate Life | by: Thomas Dubay, S.M.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\"><strong>Books on the Priesthood<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>The Challenge of Fatherhood | by: Massimo Camisasca<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Priestly Fatherhood: Treasures in Earthen Vessels | by: Jacques Philippe<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A Priest Forever | by: Fr. Benedict Groeschel<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>From Slave to Priest: A Biography of the Reverend Augustine Tolton (1854 \u2013 1897): First Black American Priest of the United States | by: Caroline Hemesath<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Treasure in Clay | by: Archbishop Fulton Sheen<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Priests for the Third Millennium | by: Archbishop Timothy Dolan<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Priest is Not His Own | by: Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Short Catechism on the Priesthood | by: St. John Vianney<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Grace of Ars | by: Fr. Frederick Miller<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Discernment What is Discernment? How is God calling you? Each of us has gifts that God has given us. What are these gifts? How is God asking us to use these gifts in service to Him and His Church? The adventure of discernment is an adventure of inviting God into your personal decisions, especially discovering [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":27,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"featured_image_urls":{"full":"","thumbnail":"","medium":"","medium_large":"","large":"","1536x1536":"","2048x2048":""},"post_excerpt_stackable":"<p>Discernment What is Discernment? How is God calling you? Each of us has gifts that God has given us. What are these gifts? How is God asking us to use these gifts in service to Him and His Church? The adventure of discernment is an adventure of inviting God into your personal decisions, especially discovering and pursuing your vocation. \u201cThe Lord has his plan for each of us, he calls each one of us by name. Our task is to be listeners, capable of perceiving his call, to be courageous and faithful, so that we may follow him, and in&hellip;<\/p>\n","category_list":"","author_info":{"name":"Archdiocese Staff","url":"https:\/\/www.archbalt.org\/vocations\/author\/angelo-matera\/"},"comments_num":"0 comments","yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Discernment - Vocations<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.archbalt.org\/vocations\/pray-discern\/discernment\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Discernment - Vocations\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Discernment What is Discernment? How is God calling you? 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The adventure of discernment is an adventure of inviting God into your personal decisions, especially discovering [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.archbalt.org\/vocations\/pray-discern\/discernment\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Vocations\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-10-09T18:12:57+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.archbalt.org\/vocations\/pray-discern\/discernment\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.archbalt.org\/vocations\/pray-discern\/discernment\/\",\"name\":\"Discernment - Vocations\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.archbalt.org\/vocations\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2022-09-12T22:53:48+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-09T18:12:57+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.archbalt.org\/vocations\/pray-discern\/discernment\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.archbalt.org\/vocations\/pray-discern\/discernment\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.archbalt.org\/vocations\/pray-discern\/discernment\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.archbalt.org\/vocations\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Pray &#038; Discern\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.archbalt.org\/vocations\/pray-discern\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Discernment\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.archbalt.org\/vocations\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.archbalt.org\/vocations\/\",\"name\":\"Vocations\",\"description\":\"God is calling men to sacrifice\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.archbalt.org\/vocations\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.archbalt.org\/vocations\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.archbalt.org\/vocations\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Vocations\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.archbalt.org\/vocations\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.archbalt.org\/vocations\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.archbalt.org\/vocations\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/09\/AoB_2019_web_logo.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.archbalt.org\/vocations\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/09\/AoB_2019_web_logo.jpg\",\"width\":300,\"height\":124,\"caption\":\"Vocations\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.archbalt.org\/vocations\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Discernment - Vocations","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.archbalt.org\/vocations\/pray-discern\/discernment\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Discernment - Vocations","og_description":"Discernment What is Discernment? How is God calling you? Each of us has gifts that God has given us. What are these gifts? How is God asking us to use these gifts in service to Him and His Church? 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