Discerning

Priesthood

Discerning

God’s call comes to you first within your heart, as an interior prompting that draws you towards the priesthood. Your thoughts about priesthood and your desire to be a priest may well be signs that God is indeed calling you. But how can you be sure? How can you tell if the call is truly from God or just a passing thought of your own? The process of discovering God’s will in your life is called discernment. It takes time and commitment to discern your vocation, and also the guidance of others.

By this time you will certainly have made contact with the diocesan Vocations Director. He will help you find a local priest who will act as your spiritual director – someone who will guide you through a structured programme of discernment in which you will reflect on your own life up to now and your relationship with God, and to deepen your understanding of the life and ministry of the priest so that you can make an informed decision about whether it might be right for you.

Alongside the regular meetings with your spiritual director you will also keep in contact with the Vocations Director. He will invite you to attend a number of weekends at Oscott College, the diocesan seminary, where you will have the opportunity to share in the life of the community and get to know the staff and students as well as meeting others who, like you, are discerning their vocation.

Each person is an individual. Many will be working or studying whilst they are undertaking their discernment. Others may need time and space in which to reflect on their call, and the Vocations Director will advise you on the possibilities on offer – perhaps a year of community life or voluntary work, perhaps the opportunity to catch up on studies.