Is God Calling Me? Signs of a Vocation
“…called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God…”
— Romans 1:1
Signs of a Vocation
Do you think that God may be calling you to the priesthood? Discernment can be difficult at times, but there are signs that could help you discern the will of God in this important time of your life! Below are a few signs that are common among men who feel that they are being called by God to the priesthood:
You know and love Jesus Christ and desire to bring his teachings to the world.
You strive to live a life of prayer and virtue.
You live and desire a life in service to others.
You desire to be a priest!
Other people have told you that you would make a good priest.
You have good people skills
You find yourself to be physically, emotionally, and psychologically stable.
You are joyful and have a good sense of humor.
You are open to the will of God in your life.
Discernment 101
Nicholas Ware | Theology, Year 3
You may be wondering what discernment actually looks like. This involves a great deal of thought and prayer, but we also don’t want to overcomplicate it! Listen to one of our seminarians, Nicholas Ware, as he explains how to discern properly with the common signs and questions that you may have with a potential vocation to the priesthood.
Take it to Prayer!
Along with these common signs among those who feel called to the priesthood, your entire time of discernment should also be a prayerful one, so consider taking these thoughts into your time spent in front of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Here are some questions to consider during your time in prayer
Do I personally have a strong desire to serve Christ as a priest?
Do I imagine myself up there in the sanctuary, doing what the priest does?
Do I have a desire to be a leader of faith for others?
Am I capable of continuing to strive for a life of prayer and service?
Am I open to giving God my “Yes” to whatever he wants for me, whether that be marriage, priesthood, or religious life?
The answers may not come all at once! Discernment takes time, intention, and effort, along with a great deal of time spent in prayer. Give God time and if the flame continues to grow, speak with your Vocation Director!