Discerning Thoughts

As some of you know, since returning from England, I have embarked upon a period of discernment concerning the major areas of my life: vocation, location and occupation. I have been taking some time out to re-examine where I am, what I’m doing and asking if I’m where I’m meant to be…

In my early/mid-twenties I had set aside some time to specifically look at the question of ordained ministry. After getting frustrated and tying myself in knots, I received some good direction from a priest and after much prayer finally concluded that I was not being called to ordained ministry, or at least not for the time-being.

A lot of stuff has happened in my life since my mid-twenties, so it seemed like a good idea to return to this question.

“I’m In Discernment”

In the Catholic world, I think most people use the phrase “I’m in discernment” as shorthand for “I’m thinking about becoming a priest”. Although the question of the priesthood is playing a major part in my discernment, it isn’t the only consideration. When I set out on this journey I was pretty open to each of the major vocations: monastic life, priesthood, married or consecrated single life.

My quest was to find out to which one I’m called…

The Plan

So, since returning from England I have read vocation discernment literature. I spent more time in prayer. I have spoken with others who are actively discerning. I have also spoken to seminarians, ex-seminarians, priests, ex-priests, monks, vocation directors and married couples, asking them about how they came to discern their vocation, in hope that it might shed a little light and give me help in discerning my own.

I think that’ll do for today. Tomorrow I’ll write about some of my discernment frustrations…