The word vocation comes from the Latin vocatio which means ‘calling’. God is the one calling. From His Love and Mercy He looks upon his children and summons each one by name to a specific state of life. The majority are called to marriage as a way to attain their sanctity. But many young men and women are called to live a consecrated life, – some men are called to be priests – in order to pursue their holiness.
God calls young men to make themselves fully available for apostolic work as a way to attain perfection in charity. This involvement in the announcement of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus implies a commitment to seek to transform society according to God's Plan. This exciting process begins with the commitement to our personal holiness and with helping others to change their minds and hearts in accordance with the Mind and Heart of Jesus.
Those who believe they might be called as priests can discern their vocation through a succession of stages of deeper commitment.
First Stage of Discernment: How can I find out if God is calling me to become a priest?
Here you can find some hints. First of all you must look for the following qualities and conditions in you:
1. I consider a personal relationship with God an important part of my life. I am willing to work toward deepening my relationship with God.
2. The Catholic faith really enlightens me. I am willing to share my faith and the light it sheds upon me with other people.
3. I feel an inner void or longing and believe that encountering Jesus and deepening in friendship with him will help me overcome such feelings. I believe that Jesus answers the deepest questions about who I am and what I am doing in this world. I am confident that following him will help me make better sense of my life and develop as a better human being.
4. I feel a genuine concern for other people and for humanity. I feel an impulse to do something to improve situations in the world.
5. I think the Church has a fundamental role in helping mankind reach a better level of realization.
6. I maintain natural and healthy relationships with both men and women.
7. I acknowledge that it is a law of life to need to give support to others and accept it from them.
8. I am not married.
9. I am capable of making personal decisions and assuming responsibility for my actions.
10. I am willing to sacrifice personal or material gain for the service of the Gospel and the Church.
11. I believe I have a good:
(a) physical
(b) mental,
(c) emotional
(d) moral health
(e) an average to above average intelligence.
12. I have no unsurpassable hindrance to lead a celibate life.
If you recognize all of these conditions and qualities in yourself you would do well to consider a a serious process of discernment to be a priest.
Text used with permisión of www.sodalitium.us © 2006
