Discern God's Will

The Joy of Discerning My Vocation

Building a vocation culture requires that every baptized person become aware of the tremendous dignity of their call to holiness and a life lived in union with Christ. They must be encouraged to understand that the deepest longing of the human heart is to know and love Our Lord personally, to follow Him faithfully and to serve Him generously in whatever vocation He is inviting them to embrace.

Universal Call to Holiness

Christ calls us to be holy, to be conformed more closely to His image and likeness. Growth in holiness is a continuous spiritual development, nurtured by the Sacraments, personal prayer and spiritual reading. In the words of Pope John Paul II,

The call to holiness is a universal call, valid for all human beings without distinction of age, profession, race or language. Just as all are redeemed, so all are called. The vocation to holiness, in fact, means putting into practice in one's own daily life, the example and teachings of Jesus Christ.

The general call to holiness is concretized through one's particular vocation. The following areas are offered as an aid to become more open to that vocation and thus, to follow Christ more closely.

Recommendations

Pray ... asking the Lord to show you the vocation He has prepared for you and invites you to embrace.

Listen ... to God and have the courage to respond to Him freely and generously.

Recite ... the rosary daily, asking Mary, the Mother of Christ and the Mother of us all, to intercede with her Son on your behalf.

Make ... Eucharistic Holy Hours, placing yourself in the Real Presence of the One who calls, the One who invites.

Read ... and meditate on Sacred Scripture and other good spiritual reading including the lives of the saints.

Attend ... Mass and receive Holy Communion as often as your state in life and current responsibilities will allow.

Go ... to the sacrament of Reconciliation frequently and consistently.

Serve ... your parish, and elsewhere, as needed and as you are able.

Talk ... with a holy person, a good friend, a priest or consecrated religious about your vocation questions and concerns, seeking spiritual direction and guidance.