How can I discern my vocation?

[Dougyl]

Originally Posted by sparrowhawk28

Hiya, Fresh =)
Does this girl know that you are planning to enter the seminary? What are her thoughts about it?

Yes, she does. She doesn't know that i am in love with her I think(i am told girls tend to have an idea when they know a guy likes them).
I recently talked to her about maybe not entering with some struggles that I am having.

[sparrowhawk28]

Originally Posted by Dougyl

Yes, she does. She doesn't know that i am in love with her I think(i am told girls tend to have an idea when they know a guy likes them).
I recently talked to her about maybe not entering with some struggles that I am having.

Was she receptive to what you were saying about the struggles?

---

A SMALL UPDATE: Recently (as in, the last week or two) I've felt a significant change in my faith and in my desires. I went to Mass twice this week, and both times I came away feeling so calm. I've also committed to praying the Rosary each day since Tuesday, and in that short time I've really begun to look forward to praying it.
I find myself feeling very overwhelmed spiritually. My emotions and thoughts seem to be swamped with a love for God and a desire to know and serve Him better. Yet I still feel dissatisfied, kind of like there's something missing in my faith.
I'm remaining open to the idea of potentially joining religious life - a view based partly on my deepening faith and on my dissatisfaction and desire for more. Yet I still feel somewhat drawn to marriage, so I'm planning to speak to a priest and get some advice. Maybe I won't achieve any sort of clarity through it. But I just feel like I need to work out if this change in my faith and feelings is normal or some kind of sign. It seems too important to overlook.

Thank you all for your kind words of advice. I will continue to pray for all here, and I ask that you please keep me and all people discerning their vocation in your intentions. God bless.

[Lochias]

Sparrowhawk, your current situation and feelings could be an exact mirror of my own. I am in almost the exact "place" you are, save that I just turned 30 and am a guy.

All I can say is: keep goin'! I have been going every day for almost a week to spend time with the Lord in the chapel of my local parish, and it's been a great boon. Like you, I find the Sacred Heart of Jesus to be inspirational and especially meaningful to me, and I renew my consecration to the Sacred Heart every day in front of the Lord in the chapel. Like you, I am unsure of my ultimate vocation in life, though I feel drawn towards marriage someday. I have been lax with my daily Rosary for the past couple of weeks, but I will correct that.

Some areas of my life have been led very firmly by God...I have recently become an Inquirer into the Secular Franciscan Order, and that was almost all God's doing, and my own confused responses of "...uh, sure, Lord, if you say so?!.." The Franciscans are just what I needed, though. Our Lord is pretty awesome that way.

I will be praying for you! Thank you for sharing your story, it means a great deal to know that my own situation isn't so unique that there aren't others out there who understand. Pax et Bonum!

[sparrowhawk28]

Originally Posted by Lochias

Sparrowhawk, your current situation and feelings could be an exact mirror of my own. I am in almost the exact "place" you are, save that I just turned 30 and am a guy.

All I can say is: keep goin'! I have been going every day for almost a week to spend time with the Lord in the chapel of my local parish, and it's been a great boon. Like you, I find the Sacred Heart of Jesus to be inspirational and especially meaningful to me, and I renew my consecration to the Sacred Heart every day in front of the Lord in the chapel. Like you, I am unsure of my ultimate vocation in life, though I feel drawn towards marriage someday. I have been lax with my daily Rosary for the past couple of weeks, but I will correct that.

Some areas of my life have been led very firmly by God...I have recently become an Inquirer into the Secular Franciscan Order, and that was almost all God's doing, and my own confused responses of "...uh, sure, Lord, if you say so?!.." The Franciscans are just what I needed, though. Our Lord is pretty awesome that way.

I will be praying for you! Thank you for sharing your story, it means a great deal to know that my own situation isn't so unique that there aren't others out there who understand. Pax et Bonum!

Hi Lochias - thank you for sharing your story! I feel the same way - it does mean a lot to know that there are others who understand and who are experiencing the same sort of thing. In the past when I've heard people talking about their vocations, they've always seemed to be saying how easy it was to decide - like God just told them what they should be doing. That hasn't really happened with me, so I felt like maybe something was wrong But now I know that everyone's different, and that God has many ways of revealing Himself and His plan to us.

I will persevere. I have time once a week to go to Adoration and twice a week for Mass at university (excluding Sundays) - I wish I could go more, but my timetable conflicts. I prayed the Rosary again this morning. I really can't believe how great it's making me feel - so relaxed and peaceful, so thoughtful. The Sacred Heart of Jesus holds importance for me, I too have a Consecration but don't say it as often as I probably should.
Even with the changes in my faith life, I still feel lost (and maybe even more so) when it comes to my vocation. My desires seem to conflict a little. I trust that the Holy Spirit will guide me, and I guess I just need to be patient. Looking back on the past, I can see places where God has had a significant impact - and that sure is reassuring

You will be in my prayers also. God bless!

[Lochias]

Originally Posted by sparrowhawk28

Hi Lochias - thank you for sharing your story! I feel the same way - it does mean a lot to know that there are others who understand and who are experiencing the same sort of thing. In the past when I've heard people talking about their vocations, they've always seemed to be saying how easy it was to decide - like God just told them what they should be doing. That hasn't really happened with me, so I felt like maybe something was wrong But now I know that everyone's different, and that God has many ways of revealing Himself and His plan to us.

I will persevere. I have time once a week to go to Adoration and twice a week for Mass at university (excluding Sundays) - I wish I could go more, but my timetable conflicts. I prayed the Rosary again this morning. I really can't believe how great it's making me feel - so relaxed and peaceful, so thoughtful. The Sacred Heart of Jesus holds importance for me, I too have a Consecration but don't say it as often as I probably should.
Even with the changes in my faith life, I still feel lost (and maybe even more so) when it comes to my vocation. My desires seem to conflict a little. I trust that the Holy Spirit will guide me, and I guess I just need to be patient. Looking back on the past, I can see places where God has had a significant impact - and that sure is reassuring

You will be in my prayers also. God bless!

Indeed. The only thing I know to do is to walk the parts of the path for my life that God has illuminated so far...like you, I am being drawn inexorably to a deeper and more fruitful spiritual life. I have recently debated a bit about the priesthood, as many people have told me they'd think I'd make a good priest...granted, I can't go off of just that, but it does make me think. I still feel more called to marriage than anything else, whenever that may be. I think everyone is called to do what they can in the moment that they are, if that makes sense...several of the student workers I supervise have had lengthy questions with me concerning my faith, and that's been great.

I would write more, but my goodness, I'm suddenly very tired. Keep on keepin' on! Whatever God is calling you to, I'm certain you'll do fine. Thanks for the prayers. God Bless.

[TiggerS]

I think everyone is called to do what they can in the moment that they are

Good observation I thought. "Vocation" is always with us in every moment in the universal call to The Gospel and holiness and this is now and will continue into whatever way of life we might be called. "Vocation" comes from the Latin "vocare" meaning "to call".

[sparrowhawk28]

Very true. The best we can do is listen for God and follow His guidance - but for me, the hard part is trying to work out what God is saying or revealing, or whether my thoughts and feelings are based on personal desire or something deeper.

Originally Posted by Lochias

I think everyone is called to do what they can in the moment that they are, if that makes sense

Makes perfect sense.

[TiggerS]

A spiritual director would be able to help - and a good spiritual director, wise, educated and holy, is pure gold and a real treasure - a gift from God - in the spiritual journey. The "hard part" you mention is probably common to the most of us and this is where spiritual direction is invaluable. Someone in a post previously did mention contacting your parish priest for a possible spiritual director contact. The other way is to phone your diocesan offices and ask if they can help locate a spiritual director. And another way is to contact religious orders of priests and brothers who very often do undertake spiritual direction.

Not at all unusual for anyone in the early stages of the journey of taking The Gospel and prayer, one's spirituality, seriously to have much consolation by way of supportive and good spiritual feelings etc. It is when the going get's hard and feelings are no longer as supportive nor a consolation that we learn the real lesson of the spiritual journey - that of trusting and confident Faith at all times - as revealed to us in what both The Gospel of Jesus and The Church teaches. "Seek after Peace and pursue it" (1 Peter Ch3 V).

[jesusmylover]

Hey,
It's interesting first to see how you love God, and just know that he is presents everyday in your life, and he also Love you. Maybe you don't understand today your vocation, but one day, you will, because you need to be alone with yourself and understand God in your heart.

The important thing you have to do is to have a Spiritual Director who will help you too much firstly in your Christian life, secondly in the discernment of your vocation.

You could also join groups of young people in your parish, because i'm sure that there are some. And don't forget the most important of all, the PRAYER. It's by the prayer that you will understand better the CALL of God in your life : Marriage, Religious life, celibacy....

Today, many young people don't care about their vocation like you, it's why i admire your questioning and your preoccupations.

Good Bless You

[sparrowhawk28]

Originally Posted by TiggerS

A spiritual director would be able to help - and a good spiritual director, wise, educated and holy, is pure gold and a real treasure - a gift from God - in the spiritual journey. The "hard part" you mention is probably common to the most of us and this is where spiritual direction is invaluable. Someone in a post previously did mention contacting your parish priest for a possible spiritual director contact. The other way is to phone your diocesan offices and ask if they can help locate a spiritual director. And another way is to contact religious orders of priests and brothers who very often do undertake spiritual direction.

Not at all unusual for anyone in the early stages of the journey of taking The Gospel and prayer, one's spirituality, seriously to have much consolation by way of supportive and good spiritual feelings etc. It is when the going get's hard and feelings are no longer as supportive nor a consolation that we learn the real lesson of the spiritual journey - that of trusting and confident Faith at all times - as revealed to us in what both The Gospel of Jesus and The Church teaches. "Seek after Peace and pursue it" (1 Peter Ch3 V).

Thank you for your reply.
The other day, I told my father about the spiritual changes occuring within my life, and that they were making me consider a religious path. He told me not only to think very deeply about the situation, but also encouraged me to get in touch with a few priests.
I know of a few retreats targeting vocational discernment, so when I get the chance I'd really like to go on one.
Prayer and Scripture reading helped me through a time of difficulty. I find that certain hardships I have experienced have brought me closer to God, and I'm thankful for them. I trust that He knows what is best for me - I believe He will reveal that someday, somehow, but in the meantime I suppose I need to be patient and try to strengthen my relationship with Him.

Originally Posted by jesusmylover

Hey,
It's interesting first to see how you love God, and just know that he is presents everyday in your life, and he also Love you. Maybe you don't understand today your vocation, but one day, you will, because you need to be alone with yourself and understand God in your heart.

The important thing you have to do is to have a Spiritual Director who will help you too much firstly in your Christian life, secondly in the discernment of your vocation.

You could also join groups of young people in your parish, because i'm sure that there are some. And don't forget the most important of all, the PRAYER. It's by the prayer that you will understand better the CALL of God in your life : Marriage, Religious life, celibacy....

Today, many young people don't care about their vocation like you, it's why i admire your questioning and your preoccupations.

Good Bless You

Thank you for your reply. These days I do love God very much - more than I ever really have. I have been praying for my vocation and asking that God will direct me rightly.
I will try and get a Spiritual Director, because I can see how important and invaluable they are. I have joined a few youth groups in the past, but currently am not a member of any. They're great, so I'll try and get back into them again I will continue to pray, because it really is very important to do so.
I deeply appreciate your kind words. God bless.

[TiggerS]

Originally Posted by sparrowhawk28

Thank you for your reply.
The other day, I told my father about the spiritual changes occuring within my life, and that they were making me consider a religious path. He told me not only to think very deeply about the situation, but also encouraged me to get in touch with a few priests.
I know of a few retreats targeting vocational discernment, so when I get the chance I'd really like to go on one.
Prayer and Scripture reading helped me through a time of difficulty. I find that certain hardships I have experienced have brought me closer to God, and I'm thankful for them. I trust that He knows what is best for me - I believe He will reveal that someday, somehow, but in the meantime I suppose I need to be patient and try to strengthen my relationship with Him.

Good to read that your father is supportive - and obedience is a powerful virtue.

A vocational retreat is a good move - perhaps on this retreat you can find out how to contact a regular spiritual director, someone who could see you on a regular basis. I usually see my director every six weeks, sometimes even more regularly.

I recall that Scripture and prayer helped me through a difficult period in my own life and again, not unusual for a time of difficulty to bring one closer to God than previously. God is always working to bring us closer - and always works thus in our very best interests, even when things seem to us to be going completely wrong in our life. The important thing is to keep Peace of Soul through confident trust in God - Faith - and at all times and in all circumstances. This is far easier to write than to accomplish - it is usually the work of a lifetime. The Catholic Catechism and many references in Scripture (to mention two) tell us that we can have confident trust in God at all times, in all circumstances - even the worst of circumstances. In The Gospels, the life of Jesus in the person of Jesus breathes love of His Father's Will up to and including His terrible death.

The Will of God is always with us in every single moment of our lives. It is not strictly only something in the future that we need to discern. If one embraces God's Will in the here and now (and this can take spiritual direction), then The Lord leads one to whatever He may ask at some future point . Of course, if one is at an age when one could enter religious life and/or priesthood, then the time might have arrived to discern and in this regular spiritual direction is pure gold and a real treasure, gift, from God. It is very natural, of course, for the young to ponder about the rest of their lives - very natural. But it is important that in the doing, they do not miss that God's Will is with them now.

Have you read the Book of Job? Also, the Psalms. The various Documents of The Church also make for important spiritual reading. http://www.zenit.org/index.php?l=english
I am quite selective in reading as there as so many news reports and Documents. If you go to the calendar on the right hand side of the Zenit page, it will list the Documents etc. for that day. The Search Engine on the very top right hand side of the page is also a great resource.

The autobiography of St Therese of Lisieux makes for good reading also. There is an online version from CCEL here: http://www.ccel.org/ccel/therese/autobio.html This is a very easy read and a beautiful one (St Therese is also a Doctor of The Church) - I read it at 12yrs I think it must have been, around the time of my Confirmation.

Also "Abandonment to Divine Providence" by Jean Pierre de Caussade : http://www.ccel.org/ccel/decaussade/abandonment.html The quite young may find "Abandonment to DP" a heavy read to wade through - I haven't looked at your profile to discern how old you are. If you do attempt de Caussade's spiritual classic, do continue to the Letters at the end of the text which are invaluable.


Here is a method of Lectio Divina, although you may already know a method (prayerful reading of Scripture): http://ocarm.org/en/content/lectio/what-lectio-divina

I am keeping you in prayer and please keep me and all on CA in yours.
________________________

Edit: It has occured to me that you could contact your diocesan Vocations Director, who may be able to guide you to a spiritual director.

[sparrowhawk28]

Originally Posted by TiggerS

Good to read that your father is supportive - and obedience is a powerful virtue.

A vocational retreat is a good move - perhaps on this retreat you can find out how to contact a regular spiritual director, someone who could see you on a regular basis. I usually see my director every six weeks, sometimes even more regularly.

I recall that Scripture and prayer helped me through a difficult period in my own life and again, not unusual for a time of difficulty to bring one closer to God than previously. God is always working to bring us closer - and always works thus in our very best interests, even when things seem to us to be going completely wrong in our life. The important thing is to keep Peace of Soul through confident trust in God - Faith - and at all times and in all circumstances. This is far easier to write than to accomplish - it is usually the work of a lifetime. The Catholic Catechism and many references in Scripture (to mention two) tell us that we can have confident trust in God at all times, in all circumstances - even the worst of circumstances. In The Gospels, the life of Jesus in the person of Jesus breathes love of His Father's Will up to and including His terrible death.

The Will of God is always with us in every single moment of our lives. It is not strictly only something in the future that we need to discern. If one embraces God's Will in the here and now (and this can take spiritual direction), then The Lord leads one to whatever He may ask at some future point . Of course, if one is at an age when one could enter religious life and/or priesthood, then the time might have arrived to discern and in this regular spiritual direction is pure gold and a real treasure, gift, from God. It is very natural, of course, for the young to ponder about the rest of their lives - very natural. But it is important that in the doing, they do not miss that God's Will is with them now.

Have you read the Book of Job? Also, the Psalms. The various Documents of The Church also make for important spiritual reading. http://www.zenit.org/index.php?l=english
I am quite selective in reading as there as so many news reports and Documents. If you go to the calendar on the right hand side of the Zenit page, it will list the Documents etc. for that day. The Search Engine on the very top right hand side of the page is also a great resource.

The autobiography of St Therese of Lisieux makes for good reading also. There is an online version from CCEL here: http://www.ccel.org/ccel/therese/autobio.html This is a very easy read and a beautiful one (St Therese is also a Doctor of The Church) - I read it at 12yrs I think it must have been, around the time of my Confirmation.

Also "Abandonment to Divine Providence" by Jean Pierre de Caussade : http://www.ccel.org/ccel/decaussade/abandonment.html The quite young may find "Abandonment to DP" a heavy read to wade through - I haven't looked at your profile to discern how old you are. If you do attempt de Caussade's spiritual classic, do continue to the Letters at the end of the text which are invaluable.


Here is a method of Lectio Divina, although you may already know a method (prayerful reading of Scripture): http://ocarm.org/en/content/lectio/what-lectio-divina

I am keeping you in prayer and please keep me and all on CA in yours.
________________________

Edit: It has occured to me that you could contact your diocesan Vocations Director, who may be able to guide you to a spiritual director.

Thank you. Obedience is very powerful indeed.

I'll look into that. I know that the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia run a retreat each year, and I'd like to attend one. A friend of mine joined them just over a year ago, and I've heard some really great things about them.

It is hard to have constant trust, but I try. When bad things happen, I try to stop myself from getting angry with God, and instead see the difficulty as something I can work through with God's help. Jesus is the greatest example. When I pray, I try and invoke his words: "Thy will be done". It helps me to remember that God is always with me and always leading me.

I appreciate what you say about God's Will. I think that was a problem with me previously - because I wasn't getting any signs or clear indications of what I should be doing, I thought that maybe God was holding back for a while. But now I see that His Will is operating each and every day, even just in small ways. I'm being drawn closer to Him, regardless of whether or not I realise it.

I began reading the Book of Job when I was experiencing a recent hardship. I didn't get very far in, but from what I read I gained a deep admiration for Job's faith. The Psalms have been a great source of strength and comfort for me also - I began reading them and the Proverbs earlier this year.

Thank you for the links. I'll check them out when I get the chance. (I'm 20).

I'm currently doing a Lectio Divina for Lent, and it's been a very useful thing. I'd like to continue doing one after Lent is finished, as I've tried to make a habit of reading Scripture regularly. I am able to pray and meditate on Scripture without the Lectio Divina, but I find it to centre my thoughts quite well.

I will definitely keep you and everyone here in my prayers. God bless.

[TiggerS]

I had tended to think that you were much younger than 20! My mistake

I was reading something on God's Will yesterday in a book I have and it emphasised to be faithful in small things - when it is hot, not to complain, but to thank The Lord for the sun and all the changes in season which keep our planet fruitful........ as an example. If we can be faithful in small things then this will strengthen and lead to faithfulness in the bigger things that might come along, the article ran. Jesus tells us that His Father knows when a hair of our head falls - and so it follows that He knows and is in control of every single thing that happens to us, big or small. And every single thing, big or small, is intended for our santification. Its all a question of our attitude and perspective on life. Here are a couple of pargraphs from the Catholic Catechism:

412 But why did God not prevent the first man from sinning? St. Leo the Great responds, "Christ's inexpressible grace gave us blessings better than those the demon's envy had taken away." And St. Thomas Aquinas wrote, "There is nothing to prevent human nature's being raised up to something greater, even after sin; God permits evil in order to draw forth some greater good. Thus St. Paul says, 'Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more'; and the Exsultet sings, 'O happy fault,. . . which gained for us so great a Redeemer!'"


311 Angels and men, as intelligent and free creatures, have to journey toward their ultimate destinies by their free choice and preferential love. They can therefore go astray. Indeed, they have sinned. Thus has moral evil, incommensurably more harmful than physical evil, entered the world. God is in no way, directly or indirectly, the cause of moral evil. He permits it, however, because he respects the freedom of his creatures and, mysteriously, knows how to derive good from it: For almighty God. . ., because he is supremely good, would never allow any evil whatsoever to exist in his works if he were not so all-powerful and good as to cause good to emerge from evil itself.

I can identify with your mention of anger. I dropped my bundle completely the other day and was quite angry and expressed it to a person that is very trying and has been so over a long period. I intend to discuss this with my director next visit. So at 66yrs with a very long and colorful journey behind me, I am still very much struggling with my own weaknesses and failures. The Peace and Joy in this is to shift emphasis off my miseries, and to abandon my many failures to the Loving Mercy of God, while nevertheless doing what I can without distress to amend my ways.

Job was a very good man and look at what happens in his life - he grows through it all and at the end of the story his fortunes are restored. The lesson for me in this has been that bad things can indeed happen to good people and in this is reflected in The Crucifixion of Jesus - a lesson to draw from the Suffering and Death of Jesus. The resurrection comes for us when despite bad fortune, we find Peace and Joy and our spiritual fortunes are restored. Our feelings can still be in something of a turmoil, but on the level of our will and intellect, we know Peace and Rejoicing in God's Will for we are assured that all is in the interests of our salvation and sanctification. This comes out very much in the autobiography of St Therese and also Abandonment to DP. There can be what is called a "transformation of feelings" and we can actually feel Peace and Joy feelingwise in bad fortune - this usually comes after a long period of first experiencing the turmoil of our feelings and what is called "Spiritual Peace and Joy". Usually, I stress - for miracles can and do and even might happen.

At 20yrs of age, I think you would find the autobiography of St Therese and Abandonment to Divine Providence by de Caussade a rewarding read; however, go with the flow or with the leadings of The Holy Spirit and only read when you have the chance and inclination. Some spiritual texts can appeal and we want to keep reading, some have no appeal. I tend to go with this appeal and continue reading and to not read if there is no appeal. At first I could not get into Abandonment to DP despite trying as it was recommended to me by my ex superior in religious life - some years later, I returned to it with great profit indeed. Go with the flow of The Spirit. The works of The Holy Spirit are always marked by Peace.
I always pray for just a few minutes before reading any sort of Scripture and sometimes only also with a spiritual text (I am remiss!).
Rather often what may be happening in our spiritual life here and now is clouded to us, and only as time passes and we look back can we see with clarity. Not always, but rather often. This is why a spiritual director is such a gift and blessing. He or she can view what is happening in our spirituality OBJETIVELY. This objectivity often only comes to us with hindsight. When we, the subject, can look back at a period of our life quite objectively.

Thank you for your prayers.

[sparrowhawk28]

No problem
Exactly. Glorify God in everything - in hot days, in thunderstorms, in problems and failures, in illness and in joys. He knows us completely - even more than we know ourselves. He wants the very best for us. Who better to trust?

Thank you for including the sections of the Catechism, I really appreciate the points made - particularly the ones underlined

Sometimes it can be difficult to supress anger, especially when problems are very hard. Remembering that God loves us and wants the best seems to help me a great deal in these times.

Job is a great example of how to deal with suffering. Though Jesus really is the prime example - he bore all his suffering with peace, even forgiveness. Through his suffering, we are given hope.
I have been able to view suffering as a blessing. I'm yet to experience the true peace I desire, but I pray to achieve it someday.
I will investigate both and see what appeals to me.

This week I am hoping to push myself further spiritually. I hope to grow in closeness to God - while I know that this could take time, I've realised that I need to make the changes to achieve what I desire. God wants us to be close to Him, He wants that relationship - we just need to want and strive for it also.

Thank you once again for all your help. You have greatly encouraged and motivated my spiritual growth and perseverance. God bless.

[TiggerS]

What you had to say about anger touched me. Thank you - although I do think that my release of anger was due simply to not counting to ten even before I lost the plot completely!

I think at times I can be rather like St Paul - in the following anyway : Romans Chapter 7 "[15] For that which I work, I understand not. For I do not that good which I will; but the evil which I hate, that I do. "

Lent is a good time to stretch oneself spiritually. There was something in the Divine Office today that struck me too, again from St Paul " [24] Know you not that they that run in the race, all run indeed, but one receiveth the prize? So run that you may obtain." First Corinthians Chapter 9.

The very desire you have to grow close to God is because God is desiring to grow close to you. St Therese wrote that she felt God would never inspire desires that He could not fulfill. All that is good, both great and small, has its origin in God - and ideally its end in Him.

God bless!