What is discernment?  Fr. Thomas Dubay, in his book Authenticity: A Biblical Theology on Discernment, says that "discernment includes both detecting the origin of our inclinations, desires, inspirations, insights, and to evaluating the signs by which one might know if a given course of action or teaching seems to be of God."  He also asserts that the first means of discernment is to be wholly authentic - to know who we are, what we are about, and to face those sometimes hard facts of our own human frailty with humility, sincerity, and trust.  We can be sure of one thing:  when we seriously discern God's Will for our life, we will be purified by His love, which is both a preparation for the given path and a means of further conversion. 

Discernment automatically assumes that we will work to be very sensitive to the inner movements of the Holy Spirit.  Such 'movements' are then taken to a spiritual director or vocation director, and worked through to further discern what God is asking and where He is leading.  It is never wise to stay the course alone...for we easily deceive ourselves into believing what is most pleasing, most comfortable, and most desirous to our own tastes.  Sometimes, initially, our ways are more palatable than God's...but, in time, the two become one.  And we realize that it is precisely in fulfilling God's Will that we are most pleased, most comfortable.  In His Will, we find the fulfillment of our desires! 

 

When God calls to a life of love and service to his people, the immediate response so often is: "I am too young." "I don't even know how to speak well." "My family is not important." "I am not holy enough." "Who would want me?" Their cry of "I am not worthy" is really insight into their perception of God. If you think you are worthy to be the Lord's messenger, you do not know him. Only those who know they are unworthy are open enough to let God do his work through them. To these he says as he did to Peter: "Do not be afraid; from now on, it is men you will catch.”

 

Perhaps the most common question of all is "How do I go about discerning my vocation in life?"  We all like step by step formulas:  1+1=2, etc.  In reality, though, discernment can be a bit messier than that!  Still the normal steps can and should be taken.  In the midst of these steps, often the Lord turns our little world upside down and shakes us up a bit, in order to get us pointed in the direction of His Will.  But, it all begins with a few simple baby steps...
  • Live a Sacramental life.  What is a Sacramental life?  Quite simply, it is regular Mass attendance (even daily Mass attendance, if possible) and regular Confession (at the most monthly Confession). 
  • Eucharistic Adoration/Prayer.  Spend time in prayer before Our Eucharistic Lord.  For those who feel drawn to the Priesthood or Religious Life, draw near to the One who calls, the One for Whom you are willing to give up all else to serve.  It is there at the very Heart of Love, that you will be most open to hear the Voice of our Savior in the depths of your heart saying: Come and Follow Me. 
  • Spiritual Direction.  When possible, find a spiritual director or regular Confessor to assist you along the path of discernment.  An experienced director will be able to walk with you, as you journey to the place where God is leading.  Sometimes, there are some curves along the road and this is where a director comes in handy.  "Is this me or God?"  "Is this self-will or God's Will?"  Such questions are par for the course of discernment.  But such questions must not be left unanswered!  For those who may be called to the Priesthood and Religious Life, a director can also help to point you in the right direction of which Order might best suit you, etc.  Most of all, a spiritual director should  be able to help you deal with the issues that will be stumbling blocks in the spiritual life.  Stumbling blocks that would make the healthy living out of your given vocation difficult.  Such issues, when dealt with in the light of Christ, go from becoming stumbling blocks to stepping stones toward greater sanctity. 
  • Vocation Retreats/Visits.  Feel called to the Priesthood or Religious Life?  Or maybe just wondering if it is for you?  Don't leave such questions unanswered.  Take the necessary steps to answering these questions by making a directed Vocation Retreat.  Call a Vocation Director/Vocation Directress and talk it out.  When appropriate, make a visit to a Religious Order.  Don't leave room for future regrets.  Give God a chance...Listen...Step forward in faith. 

For a list of great discernment resources, including books, tapes, and dvds from the Institute on Religious Life, click here

Other Spiritual Reading Resources for Discernment

I Come to Do Your Will by Fr. Rob Taylerson, Ignatius Press

To the Heights by Father Antoine Thomas (Video) Ignatius Press

Finding God's Will for You by St. Francis de Sales, Sophia Press

Peter on the Shore by Fr. Anthony Bannon

Religious Vocation - An Unnecessary Mystery by Fr. Richard Butler OP, TAN Books
 

For Parents:

   "Father, I have passed on Your word to them... protect them from the evil one...Consecrate them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world... Father, I pray not only for them, but also for those who through their words will believe in Me. May they all be one!" (John 17:18,21)  This should make every possible vocation a special concern for us. The inspiration and desire to serve God can be nurtured by the example, words and guidance of parents, teachers and friends. Foremost in the opportunity to implant such ambitions and desires are the child's own parents. By their prayers for their children, by sympathetic and honest direction, and by making Christ-centered homes, they can create a climate in which the grace of God can operate efficaciously. If they feel inadequate to this task, they can consult a priest or qualified adviser.

"The family is... the domestic Church. In it, parents should by their word and example, be the first teachers of the Faith to their children. They, should encourage them in the vocation, which is proper to each of them... fostering with special care any religious vocation."

"Vocation to the priesthood or vowed life involves a call from God and deep personal response... But the response is not made in a vacuum. It is made within a family and among friends who indicate in a variety of ways whether they consider a religious vocation a life of great value in the service of God and others."  - Vatican II

 

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"Faith, then, is not merely a cultural heritage, but the constant working of the grace of God Who calls and our human freedom, which can respond or not to His call. Even if no one can answer for another person, Christian parents are still called to give a credible witness of their Christian faith and hope. The need to ensure that God's call and the good news of Christ will reach their children with the utmost clarity and authenticity.

As the years pass, this gift of God which the parents have helped set before the eyes of the little ones will also need to be cultivated with wisdom and gentleness, in order to instill in them a capacity for discernment. Thus, with the constant witness of the their parents' conjugal love, permeated with a living faith, and with the loving accompaniment of the Christian community, children will be helped better to appropriate the gift of their faith, to discover the deepest meaning of their own lives and to respond with joy and gratitude.

The Christian family passes on the faith when parents teach their children to pray and when they pray with them (cf. Familiaris Consortio, 60); when they lead them to the Sacraments and gradually introduce them to the life of the Church; when all join in reading the Bible, letting the light of faith shine on their family life and praising God as our Father." - Pope Benedict XVI

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Talking to Your Children About Being Catholic... The Essentials of Faith. by Cavnar, Barr, Kreeft, Kuharski, and others. Our Sunday Visitor, 1995.       

Your Questions... God's Answers by Peter Kreeft. Ignatius, 1995.

Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers. United States Catholic Conference, 1987. Second edition, Spring, 1996. 

  

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