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Steps for Discernment
After you understand that God has a call for your life, the next question always is how do I find out what God is calling me to be? Follow these steps for discernment as the quickest and surest way to find out.
Get on Your Knees
“Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God” (St. Therese of Lisieux, CCC 2559). God invites us into a relationship with him that is both personal and communal. He speaks to us through his Son, Jesus Christ, the Word-made-flesh. Prayer is our response to God who is already speaking or, better yet, revealing himself to us. What is prayer?
Order Your Life Toward God
Through prayer, seek a life centered on Christ, totally abandoned to him. "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (Matt 16:24-25). Read about how to order your life toward God.
Decide on a Spiritual Director
Spiritual Direction is assistance given to persons in discernment, in growing in holiness and in the practice of Christian virtue. A spiritual director helps the directee in this under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who is the true director. Spiritual direction is not counseling or therapy, but rather guidance in the spiritual life. Learn how to decide on a spiritual director.
Study Vocations
There are many resources available for those interested in learning more about the priesthood and consecrated life. Find out how to study more about vocations.
Call the Vocations Office
If you have questions about the priesthood or want to learn more about various vocations feel free to contact us at (603) 663-0196.
Act
It is necessary to act. Don't just wait around for some miraculous sign. Speak to your parish priest or contact Very Rev. Christopher Martel at cmartel@rcbm.org.
Live Healthy Relationships
To live a healthy and holy relationship, we need to live the virtue of chastity. The chaste person maintains the integrity of the powers of life and live placed in him. Chastity means the successful integration of sexuality within the person and thus the inner unity of the person in body and spirit. Chastity allows us to control our passions, to make choices that are truly free, and to seek what is good for ourselves and for others. Learn more about living healthy relationships.
Listen to the Lord
As you discern God’s call, continue to turn to him in prayer. Make a commitment to daily prayer and speak to him from the heart. Ask him to help you to be open to whatever he might ask. Be willing to investigate the possibilities as you continue to follow these steps throughout your discernment. How to listen to the Lord.