Discernment: How do we begin?

A very important part of the Christian spiritual life is the ability to discern well. Discernment isn’t something we do once, but a daily dialogue with the Lord. And it does not have to be overly complicated. St. Paul in his letter gives us a very clear roadmap: "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.” (Phil 4:8) In fact, one of the best ways to discern our vocation (priesthood, consecrated life or marriage) is to discern the little callings or promptings God places in our daily life. Sometimes, we can know that God is calling us, but it can be hard to hear a specific direction to the call. Which is why it is important to constantly grow in our own holiness, living in the light and seeking God’s grace and mercy through the sacraments. For someone who is discerning a calling to the priesthood, marriage or consecrated life — the way we say yes to God each day helps us to be able to say yes to our vocation.   

Things to be practicing when we are discerning  

Pray 

We always begin with prayer. Developing an intimate relationship with God is essential if we are to discover His plan for us. St. John Paul II wrote, “This call, this mysterious inner voice of Christ, is heard most clearly in silence and prayer. The acceptance of the call is an act of Faith.” Essential to any vocation is staying near to Jesus through the sacraments. Regular participation in the Eucharist and receiving healing and mercy through the sacrament of penance also helps us to be attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. 

Spiritual director 

Having someone to share the journey with is important in vocational discernment. It’s helpful to find a trusted person with whom you can share your thoughts, feelings and prayer experiences. Mentors and spiritual directors can help shed light on your prayer experiences and can be a voice of wisdom in helping with the discernment process. You will be empowered to answer the call in your own life with greater clarity. 

Belong to a community/parish

We do not discern our vocation without having a community that calls us forward. The Church (the body of Christ) is called to build each other up. No man or woman is an island, and we all need a community to grow in our Faith. Engaging in the life of the Church through a community or parish is a sign of commitment. After all, vocation is about serving.  

Go on a retreat

A discernment retreat helps us to pause our busy life and truly listen to God's call amidst life's many competing voices. A retreat is a chance to spiritually go up to the mountain to encounter the Lord. When we go up the mountain and look down at the valley, we see things that go unnoticed or out of our vision when we are at the bottom and helps us to see perspective. A retreat does just that in our spiritual life.  

Trust in God’s providence 

Often, it’s scary to take the first step and express a concrete desire to follow a particular state of life. Yet, we must be willing to take a risk, having the courage to go against the ordinary and be bold in following Christ with our lives. Many people spend too long waiting, afraid to take that first step. The process of discernment will eventually lead you to make a choice in Faith, one that will give you peace, even if it’s scary and challenging.  

Get in touch with the Vocations Office  

Set up a meeting to chat with our team and learn more about our discernment programs. We are also here to support your journey and connect you with the right people to help you discern your calling.