The Journey

If you’re looking at this page, it means that the Holy Spirit is doing something in you and you are attending to it… tentatively or eagerly, it does not matter. What is good is that you are here, heeding that whisper in your heart. Thank you for your openness and courage, wherever you are in your journey exploring God’s call!

Once you begin to think and pray about your vocation, about who you are, your purpose in life, and how best to live it, you will eventually reach a point of feeling ‘at home’ with your decision. It’s a supernatural peace, both a gift and a promise from Jesus.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.” -John 14:27

1. Be intentional about your discernment. If you are discerning religious life, don’t confuse your heart by dating.  It’s also not fair to the other person who may have certain expectations or hopes from the date or the relationship.
2. Make prayer a priority. Carve out time each day or each week to spend time with Jesus.  Work on your relationship with the God who calls you. There are many prayer aids, podcasts, videos, and spiritual reading books if you need help getting started or deepening an already active prayer life.
3. Receive the Sacraments regularly. There’s nothing so strengthening (heart) or clarifying (mind) than receiving Jesus in the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Your soul hungers for God in response to God’s thirst for you. That’s why you’re on this journey.
4. Find a Spiritual Director or Companion. This is a man or woman of deep faith, an active practicing Catholic, who can guide you, listen to you, and help you see the presence and action of God in the events of your day.
5. Stay close to Mother Mary. Pray the Rosary.  She is your best and most powerful intercessor.  She was with her Son from the beginning and is now with Him forever. She will not leave your side, either, because you are God’s beloved and her child, too.
6. Share your gifts. Serve. Where is the need? Step out of your comfort zone. Get to know yourself better and be more comfortable and confident in your own skin.  Be humble: your gifts and talents are from God to be used in service to others.  You honor God by acknowledging this.
7. Contact a vocation director. If you were looking to work in a particular profession, then most likely you’d want to talk to those who are in the field.  Ask questions.  Go for a visit.  Get some answers.  
8. Take care of your body. Your vocation is about all of you (not all about you). It’s a mind/body/soul thing, not a ‘spiritual’ thing. So, healthy habits go a long way.  Live a well-integrated life as you prepare to give yourself to God wholly, in whatever vocation you ultimately embrace in freedom and joy.
9. Be okay with imperfection. This list is not going to end in a "perfect 10".  Be okay with that.  And be at peace with uncertainty, knowing that God already has ‘the end’ in sight and He will reveal everything to you in due time.  Work with His timeline.