How Do I Begin Discerning?

I think God might be calling me…now what?

As you embark on this journey, know that you are loved by God and that you are in good company with others who are discerning God’s call in their life.  God continues to call men and women to the priesthood and to religious life.

Pray

The disciples too asked Jesus to teach them how to pray!

  • Set time aside daily for silent prayer
  • Create spaces for silence and welcome, even when you’re not “praying”- to be open to the voice of Jesus (i.e. limiting distractions; going unplugged during your run or commute)
  • Receive the graces of Confession more frequently
  • Spend time in Adoration
  • Read the scriptures, beginning with the Gospels
  • Make time for daily Mass when possible

 

Prayer is a conversation. Ask God for guidance and listen with an open heart.

  • How does God speak to you? It’s like asking: What’s God’s love language with you? It’s particular for every person!
  • Ask God some questions…and let God ask you some as well! Don’t let the conversation be one-sided. 
  • How do you experience God’s invitation? through others? nature? silence? prayer? dreams? music?

 

Journal about your prayer experiences. Writing about your experiences helps you to organize and explore your thoughts more fully. It will help you to share your prayer experiences with a spiritual director or vocation director as well.

Handmaids are deeply rooted in Ignatian Spirituality. Follow this link to great resources on Ignatian prayer, such as the daily examen, Ignatian retreats, and various posts about the “what-how-why” of prayer!

Know Yourself

The first step to understanding your call to a vocation is to know yourself – and this takes time! Examine your own gifts, hopes, dreams, challenges, fears, and personality.  God speaks to us through our humanity – through who we are and what we care about. Each of us is created with a unique personality and have a personal history, both of which are part of our call.

  • What are your values and goals?
  • What is important to you?
  • How do you see God acting in your life?
  • How do your conversations about your call make you feel?

Seek Information and Insight

  • Research religious communities to obtain information about their commitments, lives, mission, ministries.
  • Email, call, text, or write religious communities for information.
  • Talk with people you trust about what you learn.
  • Consider participating in discernment opportunities.

Imagine Making a Choice

  • Spend time visualizing what your life might look like in the next five or ten years.
  • Imagine yourself as a religious Sister …5 years from now …10 years from now.
  • Visualize your life as a single  or married person. What would life be like 5 years from now? 10 years from now?

Take a Leap of Faith

Discernment is a process that leads to action. Don’t just think about it – DO IT!

Choose what you feel is God’s will for you and give God a chance to make your life all that it can be.

You don’t need to be 100 percent certain to take the next step. Think about how you chose your college or your career path – you didn’t stop because you were unsure. Follow your heart – it will help you to make the best choice, the choice that leads you to become the person God knows you can be.

There is not always a quick answer … discernment calls for patience. Take time to pay attention to the Spirit’s movement within you. Sometimes it helps to make a list of the pros and cons before making a decision.

You may need to ask some practical questions before you can make a decision, such as:

  • Have I met the requirements to join this congregation?  If not, am I willing to work toward meeting these requirements?
  • Are my beliefs and values consistent with those of this congregation?
  • When I picture myself living out this decision, do I feel at peace?