Detroit — The best first step in this sometimes difficult process is to follow the words most spoken in the Holy Scripture: “Be not afraid!”

Whether it was an angel announcing good news, or Christ speaking to His disciples, setting aside your fear is the first step. Once you are open to hearing the Lord speak to your heart, a message that will most likely come as a quiet whisper, you will be able to truly discern and figure out, “Lord, where are you calling me to serve you in this life?”

Discernment must involve prayer, the willingness to seek out quiet in an otherwise noisy world, a desire to know God’s will for your life, and a love for the Church and all her members. Discernment is the first step in coming to know where the Lord is calling you to serve Him.

While there are several methods of discerning God’s calling in life, the following steps can help:

 

A personal relationship with Christ

As Pope Benedict XVI states: “The seminarian experiences the beauty of God’s call in a moment of grace which could be defined as ‘falling in love’ … It is only when a young man has had a personal experience of Christ that he can truly understand the Lord’s will and consequently his own vocation.” Have you fallen “in love” with Christ?

 

Pray for guidance from God

God has a plan for everyone, and following God’s plan will lead to true happiness. Allow the Lord to lead you and have trust that He will only desire what is best for you. It is then that you will find true happiness and fulfillment in life.

 

Pay attention to your gifts and talents

God has blessed each of us with many gifts and talents, distinct to every person. Have you allowed yourself the ability to consider that these gifts with which you have been blessed from God could be used to serve the Church?

 

Pray before the Blessed Sacrament for guidance

The Real Presence of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist is the “source and summit” of our Catholic faith. What better place to spend time in quiet reflection and adoration than in the presence of our living God? “This is Jesus here. This is God. And priests exist to make him sacramentally present to the faithful.” Seek out a parish that has an adoration chapel and enjoy your time of grace in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.

 

Seek advice from a priest

While many people are well-equipped to assist you in your discernment of a priestly vocation, there is no substitute for a priest. Whether it is one of your parish priests, a spiritual director or friend, the advice and direction received from a priest will be extremely beneficial in your discernment of a calling to the priesthood of Jesus Christ.

 

Receive the sacraments of Eucharist and reconciliation

Regular reception of the Eucharist, definitely every Sunday and preferably every day if your schedule allows, will afford you the opportunity to stay in communion with the “Word made Flesh.” Unlike other food, the more you receive the Eucharist, the more you become like that which you consume. The sacrament of reconciliation reminds you that we are all sinners and always in need of God’s merciful forgiveness. The more we receive forgiveness for our sins, the better we can configure our lives to Christ.

 

Know God, know true peace

True peace will be felt in your heart when you come to know God as an intimate friend. This peace will also lead to an affirmation that what you are experiencing emotionally in regards to your discernment of the priesthood is from God. Knowing what and where God wants you to be will come with an overwhelming sense of peace.

 

Look to Jesus as the model for decision making

“Father … not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). By seeking God’s perfect will, life to the fullest will be experienced. Jesus always followed the will of His Father; are we not called to do the same?

 

Be involved in the life of your parish

An excellent way to experience the life of a parish priest is to involve yourself in the life of a parish, which is the life of a priest. Consider being an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, lector, catechist or a member of a committee, commission or council. The more you know about the life of a priest, the better you will be able to discern.

 

Contact your vocation director

While it is always important to consult other people you know and trust, if you are feeling an attraction to the priesthood “at some level,” it is in your best interest to contact your vocation director. He will be a priest that will help you to better discern God’s calling in your life. He will also have programs available to assist you in your discernment. The director of priestly vocations for the Archdiocese of Detroit is Fr. Tim Birney. He can be contacted at [email protected] or (313) 237-5875.

—Office of Priestly Vocations