“I have called you by name, you are Mine.” Is 43:1
Even before He creates us, God calls and sets us apart for a special purpose (Jr 1:5). Primarily, God calls every person to be holy, to become a saint who will share eternal life with Him in heaven. The Church names this fundamental vocation the Universal Call to Holiness. Yet God has unique plans for His children, and He calls each of us to particular states of life and ways of service which sanctify us, build up the Christian community, and, ultimately, bring us joy and fulfillment unlike anything else. States of life are typically what is meant by the word “vocation.” They include the priesthood, religious life, marriage, and the dedicated single life. There are also various forms of service and devotion that can be part of a person’s broader vocation, such as ministry as a permanent deacon or membership in a third order group or confraternity. All of these states of life and ways of service can lead those called to them to the heights of holiness.
Every vocation comes from God. Our mission is to respond as Our Lady did in her “Fiat” – “Let it be done unto me according to Your word” (Lk 1:38). To do so, we need to recognize His call, which requires patient prayer and discernment. He speaks through His Word, our desires, our talents, our circumstances, and even through other faithful people. The closer we grow to Him, the clearer His message becomes. The more we know Him and the more we trust in His loving plan, the easier it is for us to understand and do His will.
Our parish has a long history of vocations to all states of life, but we have been especially blessed with young people called to the priesthood and religious life. Many of them found support during their discernment from the priests and people of our parish. If you feel that God may be inviting you to consider a priestly or religious vocation, do not be afraid to follow His prompting! Our priests and community are here to offer guidance and support as you discern. We also have a group at our parish called the Avilas who pray a holy hour each month just for those discerning their vocation. You are not on this journey alone!
Here are a few practical tips for discernment.
- Deepen your prayer: Seek the Lord in Eucharistic Adoration and the Scriptures.
- Frequent the Sacraments: Regularly attend Sunday Mass and Confession and consider coming to a daily Mass or two per week.
- Spiritual Direction: Connect with a priest or spiritual director for guidance.
- Come and See: Go to a Come and See event at a seminary monastery, or convent.
- Look to Our Lady: Mary is the perfect model of discipleship, and she is Mother of us all. She is a sure helper in life’s decisive moments.
