Discernment

When are you most alive?

It is at the place where God’s desires for us

and our deepest impulses, longings, and dreams intersect

that we find our Vocation.

 

Do I have a vocation?

“Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.”
Mark 16:15

Through your Baptism, Jesus called you to a life of holiness. You live this calling out in a way that is as unique as you are. As a person in the Catholic Church today, there are three main vocations to choose from as the way to live out your call: Single Life, Married Life or Consecrated Religious Life.

Each way of living has its own gifts, joys, struggles and blessings. No particular way is better than any other, but there is only one vocation that will be uniquely suited to call forth the best of who God has made you to become. The challenge is to somehow decide which vocation will help you to become your best “You”!

Discernment

Discernment

The process for deciding which vocation you are called to and then the specific way in which to live out your vocation is called Discernment. To discern means to listen to the voice of God. In your busy life, filled with information and noise from all kinds of sources, it can be difficult to find a space quiet enough to hear what God is saying. So, God (who knows this!) calls you through the ordinary events of your life. . .but, sometimes you may not hear the persistent invitation of God, or you do but it’s a bit distorted like a poor phone connection.

Discernment

“So, is there a way of listening for God’s call in order to hear it clearly?” Prayer, especially quiet meditative prayer can open people up to truly hearing what God is saying to them. Prayer helps you to slow down and listen. Actions, such as moving the beads on a rosary or walking a labyrinth in a prayerful way, help by switching off the “thinking part” of your brain, and letting the subconscious take over. Going on a retreat- deliberately turning off the noise and activity of life- can also be very helpful.

Writing can help us put actual words on things we are thinking and feeling. Many people find the exercise of journaling to be especially helpful during their discernment process. Keeping a journal allows you to look back from time to time and take a personal inventory of your important images and issues; in a sense, seeing the journey you have been living. Journaling can assist your spiritual life by keeping the focus on the areas where you most strongly feel God’s presence in your daily life.

Spiritual Direction

Discernment

Sometimes, it helps to talk out loud about the things in your heart. Having a trusted friend, mentor and/or Spiritual Director to listen can be valuable during the discernment process. Is there a friend, someone in your life, who knows you well and can help you to identify your gifts and talents? Someone who knows your past and your present and can see you as you truly are? Or, perhaps there is a mentor, a wise, older person in your life; someone you know from school or your parish. This person may be able to offer insights into the vocation you are thinking about because of their life experience. Many people in discernment find it helpful to talk with a Spiritual Director. A Spiritual Director can help you by listening closely to how you describe your life and your prayer. Their special training helps them to guide you in learning more about prayer and in understanding the ways God is working in your life right now.

The Sisters of the Holy Redeemer are available to assist you with your discernment, or simply to answer your questions about religious life. Please feel free to with your questions.  Discernment Opportunity

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