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WHAT IS A VOCATION? VOCATIONAL DISCERNMENT AND TAKING THE RISK FOR CHRIST



A vocation is an initiative of love from the heart of God. He calls in a gentle and loving way and invites us to respond in freedom. Discerning a vocation to the priesthood takes time, prayer, reflection, patience and attentiveness to God’s action – undertaken with the assistance of others. It also takes courage to respond to the interior movements of the Holy Spirit.


Coming to know what God wants for us takes time. It is a process. Following God is not about a one-time experience. It is about becoming a friend of Christ and friendships take time. In the Gospels, Peter and Andrew, James and John left their nets and immediately followed Christ. While that is true, we must not forget that they had spent three years with Him. Even after spending that much time with Jesus, they still largely did not understand. The same is true for us today. God’s will becomes known to us over a period of time.

Keep in mind that it is important to learn to desire what God desires for you. Remaining true to this desire opens your heart to receive what God wants for you. Then, God himself will take care of you.


For more information, see


Also watch this video by Bishop Robert Barron



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