VOCATIONS

Finding your place in life, being fulfilled, discovering deeper meaning, and living with a peaceful heart are all part of true discernment. Are these things you long for?

Discernment is not simply about deciding what to do with your life. It is about discovering who you are called to be. At its heart, discernment is the prayerful process of listening for God’s voice and choosing the path He is inviting you to walk.

As Catholics, we believe that God has a unique and loving plan for every person. It is in discovering and embracing that plan that we find true happiness and lasting fulfillment. When we respond to God’s call and say “yes” to His will, our lives open in ways we could never imagine.

A vocation to the priesthood or religious life is not defined by what one must give up, but by the richness of what is received. While every vocation involves sacrifice, these ways of life also offer profound joy, purpose, and opportunities to serve God and His people in extraordinary ways that would not be possible otherwise.

 

Answering Those Questions

So many of life’s most important questions arise when we begin to look toward the future: Where am I going? How do I get there? Will I be happy? What is God calling me to do with my life? Too often, however, our culture encourages us to base our decisions only on external measures of success — Will this advance my career? Will it make me more money? Will I fit in?

When we allow those voices to lead, we risk ignoring the deeper and more important question: Is this the path God is inviting me to walk? True discernment is not about simply choosing what is easiest or most impressive, but about listening for God’s voice and discovering what is truly right for us. In doing so, we find not only direction, but lasting peace and fulfillment.

 

Where To Find The Answers

As you think about your future, it is important to move beyond surface-level concerns and ask the deeper questions of the heart. The answers to these questions are not found in career guides, advertisements, college brochures, or even well-intended advice. True discernment begins within, through prayer and an honest openness to God. While each person’s journey is unique, there are a few simple and faithful steps that can help guide the process.

First, pray for direction. Spend time regularly in quiet prayer, whether in a church, in nature, or in your own room. Ask God for His guidance and trust that He will respond. Sometimes His answer will come through a deep sense of peace in prayer; other times it may come through circumstances or through the people He places in your life. Prayer opens your heart to recognize the signs God gives.

Second, talk with others. Reflect on your gifts and seek the wisdom of people you know and trust—those who already have a relationship with the Lord. This might be a priest, a religious sister or brother, a parent, or another faithful mentor who can help you see what God may be stirring in your heart.

Third, pay attention to your feelings. What brings you true peace, joy, and a sense of purpose? Acknowledge your fears, but remember that God always calls us beyond what limits us.

Finally, trust God. Believe that He loves you and desires what is best for you. You are a unique creation, formed by your gifts, experiences, and circumstances, woven together into something beautiful. God calls you to live fully the life He has created for you. True happiness is not found in trying to imitate others or meet expectations, but in embracing God’s will and allowing Him to lead you to the fullness of life He desires for you.

 

“Fear Is Useless, What Is Needed Is Trust.”

Our fears often hold us back and keep us from taking the steps God is inviting us to take. Fear is not a sign of God’s presence. In fact, those voices that try to pull us away from God’s will often appeal to our anxieties and uncertainties. Many people think they must wait until they are completely certain before moving forward, but that moment of perfect clarity may never come. Throughout Scripture, the great figures of faith—Abraham, Moses, Mary, and the Apostles—did not act because they were free of fear, but because they trusted God more than their fear.

Jesus reminds us not to put off until tomorrow what can be done today. When we allow fear to dominate, we risk delaying or even ignoring what God is asking of us. While every calling involves risk, uncertainty, and questions, placing our trust in God will never lead us astray. There may never be a “perfect” time, but there is always the present moment in which God is calling.

Discernment is not meant to be done alone. This is why the Church offers seminaries, spiritual directors, and vocation directors—people and places dedicated to helping you listen for God’s voice. Their role is not to pressure you or force a decision, but to walk with you, support you, and help you discover and embrace the will of God for your life.

Other Resources

Here are some great literary options:

Books & Printed Guides

  • To Save a Thousand Souls: A Guide for Discerning a Vocation to Diocesan Priesthood — a widely-recommended, down-to-earth guide to understanding and discerning a call to the priesthood.

  • Is Jesus Calling You to Be a Catholic Priest? — a short, prayer-centered booklet that guides men through basic discernment questions and helps overcome fears about a call to priesthood.

  • The Discernment of Spirits by Fr. Timothy Gallagher — not specifically about priesthood but excellent for learning to recognize God’s movement in prayer and life decisions.

  • A simple Discerning Priesthood Booklet aimed at teens and young men, answering key questions about what priests do and how to take next steps.

Prayer, Reflection & Retreats

  • The USCCB Discerning Men page offers prayers, talks, and videos aimed at helping young men listen to God’s voice, including reflections by Catholic leaders like Bishop Robert Barron.

  • Retreat experiences — whether diocesan weekends, “look and see” retreats, or vocation retreats — are especially helpful for silence, prayer, and hearing God more clearly. Contact your diocesan vocation director for options near you.

Online Podcasts & Tools

  • The Melchizedek Project Podcast — a series (also available through Vocation Network) that walks through discernment from early questions to seminary and beyond.

  • Vocation Network / Vision Guide — online articles, discernment surveys, and a free VISION magazine on responding to God’s call.

Spiritual Support & Discernment Companions