EXPLORE
GUIDE TO DISCERNMENT
Where do I begin my discernment?
Discernment is not a neatly packaged or predictable series of steps: it's not like signing up for a college course, or completing the levels of a video game.
Instead, discernment is founded upon a real life that is lived in relationship with the real God—there is no set timeline for that!
When we have matured enough in that relationship, God knows we are then ready to be sent out for a particular mission, AKA, our VOCATION.
While there may not be a schedule for this, there are particularly important elements that develop one's relationship with the Lord, leading to preparedness for fruitful discernment (Scroll to the "Go Deeper" section at the bottom of the page if you aren't sure what something means or how to do it):
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Receive the Sacraments
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Receive Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion, then go regularly to Mass and Confession.
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Practice Prayer
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Ask God every day what his calling is for you.
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Attend Eucharistic Adoration
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Go to Jesus where he gave himself to you most especially in the Eucharist. Try a Holy Hour and spend time with him.
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Pray Lectio Divina
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Listen to God through his words in Scripture.
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Get Involved
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Help out in your parish or at a local charity.
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Read
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Pick up a book, peruse an article online, leaf through a pamphlet...they are all great ways to learn more.
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Have a Conversation
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Talk with your pastor, parochial vicar, teacher, catechist, parent, or someone you trust to listen and guide you without judgement.
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Seek Spiritual Direction
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Find a holy guide to walk with you during your discernment.
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Contact your Vocation Director
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Reach out to Father Patrick. Having someone to walk with you on what can be an uncertain and confusing journey of discernment can be extremely important, and being that someone is a vocation director’s purpose.
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Go to Vocation Events
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Visit our Attend page for our events calendar and a list of events for different age groups.
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Go Deeper
With discernment in general: GoPriest.com, Discernment podcasts, Video: Father Mike Schmitz - The #1 Mistake People Make When Discerning Their Vocation
With the Sacraments: CCC 1212-1419, Here's Why You Should Go to Mass, CCC 1420-1532
With prayer: CCC 2558ff, pray a rosary to help discern your vocation, or pray the USCCB's prayer to discern a vocation.
With Eucharistic Adoration: How to Pray a Holy Hour
With lectio divina: Lectio Divina, A Guide: What it is & How It helps Prayer Life
With getting involved: Contact your parish for their specific opportunities with their ministries and charities
With reading: Discernment 180, To Save A Thousand Souls, authors C.S. Lewis and Michael Kelly (they have some excellent essays and books about Christianity)
With spiritual direction: Video: Spiritual Direction in a Nutshell with Fr. Boniface Hicks, About Spiritual Direction
With your vocation director: Reach out and say hi to Vocation Director Father Patrick Seo at newarkpriest@rcan.org or (973)313-6190.
