The call to priesthood or religious life is not some mysterious thunderbolt or a heavenly vision. Most often the call comes to those in the last two years of high school.

You will find a yearning in your heart to be significant beyond corporate success. You will want to make a lasting impact on future generations. Previous dreams grow stale. You will notice a desire to be closer to God and to serve Him with your whole heart.

You will also find that others will see priestly talents in you and ask you if you have considered priesthood. Listen carefully to such suggestions. God sends personal prophets to point out our call.

Discernment - A Spiritual Compass
Discernment means "to take a hard look" at your options. How are you going to seek your destiny? What should you notice? Take note if you feel restless with the options that don't measure up to the passion in your heart. Take note of the feeling that you have been given dreams bigger than any corporation can imagine. Take note of the suspicion that there is something that you are being called to do for God. It was Jesus who said, "You have not chosen me. I have chosen you." Take note if other people see priestly qualities in you, and invite you to be their priest.

Many decisions in life are not crystal clear. It is simply unrealistic to wait for an unquestionable "call", thunder and lightning. Rather, a discernment is often a matter of becoming aware of something that is already there, a yearning, a desire for more. Selecting a path is risky. Refusing to choose a direction is certain self-destruction.

Prayer for Vocations
Loving God, I honor the heart of your son.

Like Jesus, give me an open heart to know your will. Give me a generous heart to respond to that will. Give me a courageous heart to be faithful to that promise of all that I am called to be.

Like Jesus, use my heart to touch your people. Use my heart to serve your people. Use my heart to continue to love your people so that I may be faithful to the promise of all that I am called to be.

Loving God, through the Sacred Heart of Jesus, help me to know if I am called to be a priest. Amen

God's Call