What can I do to help me know God's will for my life?

As a young and growing diocese, we have recorded some historic events and experiences.  There has been a sense of excitement and enthusiasm which has created an ever-increasing spirit of unity and faith.  Each of us must respond to the universal call to holiness, the basic vocation to "grow in knowledge and love of God and of His Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ."  Yet the Lord facilitates our wholehearted response to His call to holiness through the ministry of His Church. 

Priests, religious sisters and brothers, deacons -- these roles of service and leadership enrich the Church and enable members of the community to share in ministry.  As you prayerfully consider how the Lord may be calling you to serve Him, please know of my prayers and every blessing as you discern the work of the Spirit in your life.

 EVERYONE'S VOCATION... HOLINESS OF LIFE...

 The word VOCATION is derived from the Latin word vocare, a word which means "to call."  The first and basic vocation of every Catholic is holiness, marked by a desire to know God intimately and thus to love others authentically and unselfishly.  Every Catholic should seek to be an active member of the Church, the people of God, the Body of Christ.

Also, as Christians, we have a vocation to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ by word and action.  This mission of evangelization is lived out every day by the way we live and express our faith.  By example, we show others the "path to life."

Some individuals have a vocation to serve the Church in a particularly visible way as priests, deacons, and religious.  Some indicators of a vocation to this sort of life would be:

Am I inclined, drawn toward or have a desire for the priesthood or religious life?  Does is give me a certain amount of satisfaction and joy to think about it?

Are my motivations honest and pure?  Do I want to truly serve God and be submissive to His will?  Do I want to bring Him to others?  Do I want to live the Gospel life as fully as possible?  Do I want to work for the mission of the Catholic Church and the betterment of the world?  Some inadequate reasons would be a search for security or instant social status, difficulties with personal relationships, or a desire to propagate a personal agenda.

Do I have the physical, emotional, and intellectual abilities to be a priest or religious; to live the life cheerfully, comfortably and generously?  Do I have good habits built into my spiritual life?  Do I celebrate the sacraments regularly and frequently?  Am I involved in some kind of parish ministry or apostolic work?

 THE PRIESTHOOD

 Through their own lives of prayer, teaching, evangelizing and the pastoral ministry, priests build up the community of the Church in holiness, especially in the administration of the sacraments.  Some priests are "diocesan," ministering under the leadership of a particular diocesan bishop within a specific territory.  Other priests are "religious," or members of a particular religious order with a particular apostolate ranging from teaching to missionary work to leading a contemplative life.  In addition to promises of obedience, the priest also promise to live a life of celibacy, giving up the exclusive love of marriage in order to embrace an inclusive love of those he serves.

Preparation for the priesthood generally covers anywhere from six to eight years, wherein the candidate is trained in philosophy, theology, and other necessary pastoral and ministerial sciences.

  THE RELIGIOUS LIFE

 Some men and women religious commit themselves to Christ and to the Church by special vows.  As members of a religious community that follow a way of life patterned on the life and teaching of the founder of the community, men and women religious bring the Gospel to "every day" life in a variety of ways: education, health care, parish ministry, social work, administration, campus ministry, retreat and spiritual direction.  While the acceptance and training programs vary with each community, all include at least one year of novitiate, the taking of temporary vows or promises, and the final public commitment to life a life of poverty, chastity and obedience.

 THE PERMANENT DIACONATE

 In the scriptures selected men were ordained as deacons to work with the bishop and his collaborators in a ministry of charity.  Today, men thirty-five years of age or older, married or single, serve the Church in the ministry of liturgy, word and charity, after an appropriate period of formation. 

First, assess your own life.  What does it mean to be a sincere and committed Catholic?  You can be as holy as God wants you to be!  First of all, God wants you to strive for HOLINESS on earth, and He'll help you to achieve this primary goal if you ask Him.  Be sure to pray especially for an understanding of God's work in your life.  Attend Mass as often as possible and celebrate the sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation frequently that you may know yourself better -- the first step in any spiritual growth. 

Secondly, speak to someone like your parish priest, a sister, brother, teacher, or a school counselor about your life and what you believe God is calling you to do.  Ask specifically about their experiences and how they came to discern that the priesthood or religious life was part of God's plan for them.  Find a priest or religious experienced in spiritual direction and meet on a regular basis -- this may help you with your discernment process.  Look into a Vocation Support group -- there are a few around the diocese -- or arrange to go on a retreat.

Third, if you've thought and prayed about matters in your life, arrange a personal meeting with the Vocation Director -- with no obligation whatsoever -- to ask questions and receive an honest response.  Your inquiries will always be welcome and the Lord's Will for you always in mind!

 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, contact 

DIRECTOR OF VOCATIONS - Fr. Don Kline, Director

OFFICE OF RELIGIOUS - Sr. Jean Steffes, C.S.A. Director

 ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF PHOENIX

400 East Monroe Street

Phoenix  85004, Arizona

(602) 257-0030