This is the question that won’t let you go. Finding the answer requires you to open your heart and dive into the work of discovering Christ’s call. It is work that is well worth your while. The Congregation of Holy Cross offers resources to assist you in your discernment.
“We had been washed in baptism and confirmed in our belief and given the eucharistic nourishment in memory of Him. But there seemed to come a time when the Lord was calling us to take some further step.”
Constitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross, 1:2
In Scripture, we find many stories wherein God’s call was made manifest through some spectacular event, like a burning bush, an angelic messenger, or Christ Himself standing on the seashore. The reality is that our call will likely come in a much more subtle manner. Coming to an understanding of our call is a matter of discernment. It is a prayerful handling of the manifestations of God’s will that come to us through our skills and abilities, our hearts’ desires, the circumstances of our lives, and the encouragement of others. There is no set program that will lead us through discernment to a definitive answer. And yet there are steps that we can take.
Throughout our lives, the Lord stirs our hearts to reveal his holy will for us. A key component to any Christian discernment is to attend to the heart, yet first the heart must be prepared to recognize the Holy Spirit’s movements and promptings. Before you ask God what he wants you to do with your life, you need to come to know him personally. The sacraments, prayer, and service are a few of the many ways you can grow in your relationship with God and become a true disciple of Christ. As you clear away obstacles and fears, avoiding temptations and sins and growing in virtue, you will become free to hear and respond to God’s call. You will truly be able to pray, “Your will, not my own.”
Often we desire to know God’s will for us, but we forget to slow down long enough to ask the question or even consider what the question is. Discernment requires that we be deliberate about the questions we ask and how we ask them. When asking God for wisdom regarding your vocation, first ask for the desire for the answer. While knowing God’s will may seem desirable, often when it is revealed, it is intimidating or unsettling. That said, God rarely gives a complete vision of what the rest of your life will look like. More often, he shows the next step and invites us to take it. The question to ask is not if God is calling you to be a religious or priest, but rather if God is calling you to enter formation. When you do ask that question, focus on and pray about one path at a time. It is hard enough to hear God say yes to a single question, let alone to hear his response to a multiple-choice question.
God’s response to our questions is not always quick or obvious, yet he always makes his will known to those who seek it with sincere hearts. As you wait for an answer, have faith and trust. God’s call is not a game of hide-and-seek. God wants to reveal your vocation to you, and in his time he will do so in a recognizable way. Be willing to be silent in prayer, allowing your heart to rest in God. If possible, do so in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Give him time to work on your heart and direct it according to his will. Instead of seeking certainty, look for joy and peace. Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God, and our vocations will involve a deep sense of peace and fulfillment. God can also use other people to help us hear his call. Often others can see abilities and possibilities in us that we do not see. A reliable indicator of God’s call is when advice and insights from your friends, family, and mentors in faith begin to align with the movements of your heart.
The work of discernment cannot be broken down into a set program that will guarantee results. But there are tried and true aids to discernment that will draw us closer to God and assist in opening our hearts that we may know and desire God’s will.
Tell us a bit about you and we’ll help you find your place at Christian Mission.
The Sacraments are concrete moments where we encounter God’s grace. The more that we enter into these moments, the more this grace permeates our life and can then draw us into closer communion with the Lord. The Eucharist is the source and summit of our life in Christ; thus it is imperative that we attend Mass every Sunday. Frequent participation in daily Mass greatly assists our growth in God’s grace. Also important is regular confession. Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we receive the grace that frees us from the sin that becomes an obstacle to hearing and following God’s call.
Through time spent in prayer, we encounter God and allow him to work in our hearts and make his will known. Dedicating time every day to the Lord, even a few minutes, is an essential investment in our relationship with him and our ability to know and follow his will. Several forms of prayer that are particularly helpful in discernment are:
If you are drawn to a vocation in Holy Cross, you might also reflect on the Holy Cross Constitutions.
