The word “vocation” comes from the Latin word vocare which means “to call.” All of us are called to live a holy life, a saintly life. But the Lord calls people to different “states of life” as the path by which they are to live out their vocation to holiness.
A calling to the sacred priesthood of Jesus Christ is one of the most beautiful gifts that a Catholic man can receive. If you are discerning your vocation and are wondering if you are called to the priesthood, this website will provide you with resources that can help.
But the best place to begin for a man who is considering the priesthood is to speak directly with a priest. Consider contacting your parish priest or with one of the Vocation Director, Father Nick Adam ([email protected]) to discuss what God may have in store for you.
If you are interested in the permanent diaconate you can obtain information about the diocesan formation program by clicking here and/or contacting Deacon John McGregor at [email protected].
“How do I know if God is calling me?” This is the question that every man who grapples with the question of priestly vocation asks himself at some point. Discernment can be a frustrating and difficult experience. But the best first step is to follow the words that appear so often in the Sacred Scriptures, “Be not afraid!” The Lord does not want us to be afraid because fear threatens to distract us from the voice of God. Once you are open to hearing the Lord speak to your heart, a message that will most likely come as a quiet whisper or a gentle nudge, you will be able to truly discern the Lord’s will for your life.
Discernment is the first step in coming to know if the Lord is calling you to serve Him as a Roman Catholic priest. It must involve prayer, the willingness to seek out quiet in an otherwise noisy world, a desire to know God’s will for your life, and a love for the church and her members.
Crucial to discernment is staying close to God in the sacraments. Sunday Mass, as well as holy days of obligation, are vital. It is also strongly encouraged that one who is discerning priesthood try to attend Mass during the week if his schedule allow.
The Eucharist unites us to Christ more deeply. It intensifies our love for Him and it makes us more like Him. Frequent confession is also extremely important. It is good to go to confession once a month or even more often.
Penance and Reconciliation reminds us that we are all sinners and in need of God’s merciful forgiveness. The more we receive forgiveness for our sins, the better we can configure our lives to Christ.
A man who is discerning a call to the priesthood needs guidance. While many people are well-equipped to assist you in your discernment of a priestly vocation, there is no substitute for a priest. Whether it is one of your parish priests, a spiritual director, or a friend, the advice and direction received from a priest will be extremely beneficial in your discernment of a calling to the priesthood of Jesus Christ.
If you’d like to have a spiritual director as a guide, tell a priest whom you admire that you are considering the priesthood and ask him if he would be available to meet once a month to discuss the discernment process.
A good habit of prayer is essential for any man who is considering the priesthood. A good prayer to offer to God is, “Lord, help me to know Your will for my life and give me the courage and strength to do it.” Because the life of the priest is centered in the Eucharist, there is no better place to spend time in quiet prayer and reflection than in the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. See if adoration is available at your parish and make regular visits with Our Lord.
The Blessed Mother is our greatest companion on the journey of vocational discernment. If you are not in the habit of praying the Rosary, begin today, even if it's only a decade at a time. Pray three Hail Marys before going to bed, asking her for the virtue of holy purity and to help you know your vocation.
Also, contact Fr. Nick Adam in the Vocations Office ([email protected]), and ask what resources he has to help you with prayer.
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” (Jn 21) In this beautiful passage from the Gospel of St. John, Jesus asks Simon Peter if he loves Him. When Peter confesses his love for Christ he is then ready to receive his mission as prince of the Apostles and the first pope.
Discernment of a priestly vocation is not unlike Peter’s encounter with Christ. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has said, “The seminarian experiences the beauty of God’s call in a moment of grace which could be defined as ‘falling in love’…. It is only when a young man has had a personal experience of Christ that he can truly understand the Lord’s will and consequently his own vocation.” Growing in love for Christ is what allows a man who is discerning priesthood to be truly free in his response to the call of Christ. The process of discernment is a period in which one falls in love with Our Lord, which allows him to accept the mission entrusted to him.
When we love someone we want to get to know more about them. As a man discerns he should be seeking greater knowledge and understanding of the Lord whom he is coming to love. In order to feed one’s prayer life it is good to develop a habit of reading a bit of the Scriptures, especially the Gospels, each day. It’s also helpful to read books on spirituality, especially writings by saints or meditations on writings of saints.
To Save A Thousand Souls by Father Brett Brannen
Father Brett Brannan is the pastor of the Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Savannah, GA. Prior to becoming pastor he was the Vice Rector of Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD and through his experience has provided an excellent guide for discerning a priestly vocation.
Discerning the Will of God by Father Timothy M. Gallagher, OMV
Father Gallagher is one of the finest and most popular writers on Ignatian spirituality in the United States. He has written books to help people grow in their prayer life and discernment of God's will. Someone who is trying to make a decision regarding his vocation probably would find many of his books helpful. This book helps the reader discern the will of God under different circumstances so as to make a decision.
The Priest is Not His Own by Venerable Fulton J. Sheen
Archbishop Sheen delves deeply into what he considers the main character of the priesthood, and one not often discussed, that of being, like Christ, a "holy victim." To be like Christ, Sheen emphasizes that the priest must imitate Christ in His example of sacrifice, offering himself as a victim to make His Incarnation continually present in the world.
Many are Called by Scott Hahn
Dr. Hahn examines the biblical and historical roots of the priesthood to explain the centrality of the priest in the life of the Church. He brings reinvigorated attention to the many roles of the priest—provider, mediator, protector, teacher, judge, and more—all of which are united in the priest's place as spiritual father to God's people, and ultimately he shows that it is through the priest, empowered by God, that the continuing presence of Jesus Christ makes itself known to our world.
Searching for and Maintaining Peace by Father Jacques Philippe
In our search for God and holiness, in our service to our neighbor, a kind of restlessness and anxiety take the place of the confidence and peace which ought to be ours. What must we do to overcome the moments of fear and distress which assail us? How can we learn to place all our confidence in God and abandon ourselves into his loving care? Since peace of heart is a pure gift of God, it is something we should seek, pursue and ask him for without cease.
Story of a Soul by St. Thérèse of Lisieux
In the autobiography of St. Therese (the 'Little Flower') we rediscover the great themes of her spirituality: confidence and love, the little way, abandonment to God's merciful love, and her mission in the church and world today. Her story is one of great reliance on the providence of God, and is a good model for any young person struggling with this sense of dependence on the Lord.
Called by God: Discernment and Preparation for Religious Life by Rachael Marie Collins
In Called by God: Discernment and Preparation for Religious Life, Rachael Marie Collins provides an overview of the spiritual life—both its joys and its challenges—and guides women as they discern whether they are called to be religious sisters or nuns.
A Living Sacrifice: Guidance for Men Discerning Religious Life by Father Benedict Croell, O.P. and Fr. Andrew Hofer, O.P.
A Living Sacrifice is a comprehensive guide for men who are discerning God's call. It serves as both an introduction to religious life as well as a guide for discerning vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. With clear language, engaging examples, and solid theology, the book tackles the big questions: "Should I date while discerning?" "Should I be a diocesan priest or a religious brother?" "What community should I join?" "What should I expect during formation?" "What is religious life anyway?" and "How do I know for sure if I'm being called?" A Living Sacrifice offers a solid alternative to "cyber discernment" by addressing men's most common questions in a single volume. Perfect to bring into the chapel to spark a heart-to-heart conversation with Christ.
DiocesanPriest.com
The National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors has compiled in this website a great collection of resources and articles which are well worth taking time to view. They can also point you to a much larger numbers of other resources.
Ascension Press
This is an evangelically Catholic website that provides video presentations by Fr. Mike Schmitz, Jeff Cavins, Matt Fradd and others on a wide range of topics relevant to contemporary times. It demonstrates very well the way electronic media can simply and effectively be used to present orthodox Catholicism in a positive way.
Integrity Restored
Everyone is called to live chastely, but our culture suffers from a profoundly distorted view of the human person. One of the poisonous fruits of this distortion is the proliferation of pornography that leaves virtually no one untouched, including young people who may be called to priesthood or religious life. Integrity Restored is a great resource for those who have been affected by pornography and who want to know the joy of being freed from its grip. On their ordination day, men called to be priests make a promise to live chaste celibacy. If you want to grow in the spiritual life seek to grow in the virtue of chastity. Integrity Restored is a good place to find some tools that will help you.
Word on Fire
This project by Bishop Robert Barron explores in greater depth some of the current issues and questions of the day.
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Fr. Mike Schmitz is the Catholic chaplain for the University of Minnesota-Duluth Campus Ministry program. A gifted preacher and teacher of the faith in accessible terms, Fr. Mike makes his homilies available on the Bulldog Catholic website but also as MP3 files that one can download and listen.
Catholic Stuff You Should Know
Started in 2010, Catholic Stuff You Should Know has become one of the most popular Catholic podcasts around. The hosts are priests who began their podcasting as seminarians at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Their light-hearted and humorous approach to evangelization reveals the joy that comes from striving to live the faith with authenticity and sharing it with others.