How Do I Know If This Is Right For Me?

Often someone may be considering a religious vocation but wonder, "How do I know if this is right for me?" This process of figuring it all out is called DISCERNMENT. The following are five rules of thumb for discernment.

The first thing to do is to pray. It is important to bring this into your prayer life and to open it up to God. It can be as simple as saying "Lord, what do you want me to do?" Remember that prayer is not only talking to God but listening to Him too. BE SURE TO LISTEN!

The second step is to pay attention to your own life. What brings you joy? What brings you closer to God? What aspects of being a priest appeal to you? It may be sharing in liturgy, visiting the sick or teaching, etc. TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR OWN LIFE.

The third thing is to talk to some people who know you well and who will tell you the truth. Just ask them, "Do you think I would be a good priest?" Talk to a parish priest, or someone in the Archdiocese vocations office. They will be glad you asked them and can give you some good insights. TALK TO OTHERS.

The fourth step is to pay attention to what is going on deep inside you. DOES THIS SEEM RIGHT FOR YOU?

The fifth step is to realize that you take little steps, one at a time. Checking out a vocation as a priest, or even entering a seminary, does not mean you have to become a priest. TAKE ONE STEP AT TIME.