Discerning?

For Men:

Learn more about Diocesan Priesthood from www.DiocesanPriest.com. This website has a wealth of knowledge including:

• Helping you discover “Am I Being Called”
• What does it look like?
• Who do I talk to?
• What can I read?
• What do the saints say?
• What do the Popes say?

Video: Discernment 101

Fr. Mike Schmitz explains ​that it is best to focus on one thing at a time when discerning a vocation. Not only is it most prudent to discern ​​just one vocation at a time;​ ​it is​​​ also important to take discernment ​one step at​ ​a time. When we discern with this kind of care and commitment, the path God desires for us should become clear.

Video: Do You Want to be a Religious Brother?

Video: What is Your Vocation Story?

Books:

To Save a Thousand Souls: A Guide for Discerning a Vocation to Diocesan Priesthood by Fr. Brett Brannen

Father Brett A. Brannen’s book is the definitive guide for men discerning their vocation, explaining the priesthood, where they are in the discernment process, and the next step in the process.

Find a free copy of Saving Thousands of Souls: A Guide to Discerning the Vocation to the Diocesan Priesthood here: http://www.gopriest.com/

Discernment 180 for Men by Fr. Greg Gerhart

D180 is a six-month discernment plan to help men dive deep while discerning the priesthood. It lays out a clear “rule of life” including spiritual practices and specific discernment actions. The bulk of the book contains daily readings to aid in discernment. The goal is to grow in holiness, prayerfully consider the priesthood, and peacefully accept the life God has prepared for you.

The Priest Is Not His Own by Fulton J. Sheen

The beloved Archbishop Sheen, whose cause for canonization is open in Rome, presents a profound and deeply spiritual look at the meaning of the priesthood and relationship of the priest with Christ as an “alter Christus”.

Christ: The Ideal of the Priest by Columba Marmion

The great spiritual writer, Fr. Columba Marmion, wrote this classic work on the priesthood to show the holiness that priests are called to, and how that holiness can only be attained through close union with, and imitation of, Jesus Christ.

The Lord by Romano Guardini’s

The only true and unedited telling of the life of Christ—his life and times, in historical context, but not lacking the psychology behind his physical being and spirit.

A Living Sacrifice: Guidance for Men Discerning Religious Life by Fr. Benedict Croell, O.P., and Fr. Andrew Hofer. O.P.

A Living Sacrifice is a comprehensive guide for men who are discerning God’s call. It serves as both an introduction to religious life as well as a guide for discerning vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

Is Jesus Calling You to Be a Catholic Priest? by Reverend Thomas J. Richter

In this booklet, Msgr. Richter leads you through 10 spiritual lessons of discerning your vocation to the priesthood.

Radical Surrender, Letters to Seminarians by Fr. Michael Najim

We live in a culture of distraction, making it very difficult to hear God’s voice and respond with courage.

Podcast:

Discern with Fr. Brett Brannen, author of To Save a Thousand Souls: A Guide to Discerning a Vocation to Diocesan Priesthood, as he walks you through the discernment process from the first questions, to seminary, and all the way to ordination.

Website Resources:

USCCB recommendations for men as they discern:

Youtube Videos

What is Behind the Collar?
This virtual event is designed for men who are discerning diocesan priesthood or curious about the life and ministry of a diocesan priest.

What is Behind the Habit?

This event is designed for those men who are discerning religious life or curious to see more about these communities and how priests and brothers are formed.

For Women:

To find out more about other religious orders, you can order a free directory from the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious:

Request information such as pamphlets about different orders:

If you would like to learn more about Cloistered Life as a contemplative nun, visit:

If you would like to learn more about Consecrated Virginity, visit:

Videos:

Sr. Catherine Marie from the Sisters of Life talks about answering the call to Religious Life.

Books:

Discernment 180 for Women by Fr. Greg Gerhart

D180 is a six-month discernment plan to help women dive deep while discerning religious life. It lays out a clear “rule of life” including spiritual practices and specific discernment actions. The bulk of the book contains daily readings to aid in discernment. The goal is to grow in holiness, prayerfully consider religious life, and peacefully accept the life God has prepared for you.

And Mary’s ‘Yes’ Continues; Religious Vocations in the New Millennium by Mother of the Eucharist Dominican Sisters of Mary 

It finally fulfills a longing by many hearts for an intimate resource and generous sharing of the journey into a beautiful vocation.

And You Are Christ’s: The Charism of Virginity and the Celibate Life by Father Thomas Dubay, S.M.

Father Thomas Dubay, one of the foremost authorities on the religious life, discusses one of the most important but not fully appreciated or understood charisms of the consecrated life, the charism of virginity.

Discerning Religious Life by Mother Clare Matthiass, CFR

A comprehensive guide to help women discern Religious Life with clarity, confidence, and joy. Foreword by Cardinal Dolan.

Called by God: Discernment and Preparation for Religious Life by Rachael Marie Collins

Rachael Marie Collins provides an overview of the spiritual life—both its joys and its challenges—and guides women as they discern whether they are called to be religious sisters or nuns.

Additional Resources:

Great article: What it’s Really Like to be Married to Jesus by Sr. Helena Burns, FSP

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Website References:

• Vocationquest.org   – Website for women discerning a call to become a Sister. Take an online retreat that will help you discern more fully if you have a call to be a religious sister.
• usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/discerning-women/prayer-and-discernment-resources.cfm -USCCB recommendations for women as they discern
• Take a Vocation Retreat:
  • religiouslife.com – You might want to start with one of our Vocation Online Retreats. Each retreat consists of eight emailed meditations, one sent each day. The emails consist of meditations and reflections that help you find your vocation in life.
  • A discernment retreat is a prayerful visit with a religious community, perhaps for a weekend or even a week. Such a retreat is a good way to test your vocation. You can get to know the community, its charism, and find whether God may be calling you to its way of life. Many communities hold retreats for groups for just this purpose. Or you may be able to visit them as an individual. See Upcoming Women’s Retreats

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Youtube Videos

What is Behind the Veil?

This event is designed for females who are discerning or curious about consecrated life. Learn more about Various Forms of Consecrated Life: Secular Institutes, Consecrated Virginity, Active and Cloistered Communities.

For Men and Women:

How does someone discern married life well? What are the practical steps to take to discern? What are some of the challenges to discerning? Regardless of your state in life, you can begin preparing for marriage right now. Whether you are single, dating, seriously dating, engaged, on a break, or grieving a breakup, you can make use of this time for fruitful growth toward becoming a healthy and holy spouse.

Video:

Fr. Mike Schmitz explains ​that it is best to focus on one thing at a time when discerning a vocation. Not only is it most prudent to discern ​​just one vocation at a time;​ ​it is​​​ also important to take discernment ​one step at​ ​a time. When we discern with this kind of care and commitment, the path God desires for us should become clear.

Resources:

Here is a former seminarian’s answer to the question of “Should I date while I discern?”

Discernment, Courtship, Engagement, and Marriage/Parenting Advice

Daniel O’Connor recently went through all of this: He and his wife have been married for just over two years now, having an 18-month-old son (with child #2 on the way). Before they dated, Daniel was in seminary, and immediately before that, he was discerning his very vocational calling itself. Therefore, within the past few years, he has gone through each stage of discernment. He gives great advice here!

Franciscan University has put together a collection of videos that you will find inspiring and instructional:

If none of these looks interesting, check out this comprehensive list of vocation resources at Paths of Love.

Books:

Tuning In to God’s Call by Father Andrew Carl Wisdom and Sister Christine Kiley

“Have you ever considered that so many of us go through this world as though asleep at the wheel of our lives?” authors Father Andrew Carl Wisdom and Sister Christine Kiley ask in their book, Tuning In to God’s Call. In every moment, God accompanies us and calls us to live a life for Christ through discovering our personal vocation.

Ebook: How to Discern God’s Will for Your Life by Bishop Robert Barron

As a priest, and now a bishop, Bishop Robert Barren hears often from many people searching for God’s direction in their lives. They wonder, what does God want me to do with my life? How can I be faithful to God in my day-to-day decisions? How can I hear God and be sensitive to his promptings?

For those of you not ready to read a whole book yet, here is a great article to help you discern if God is calling you to serve Him as a priest or consecrated man or woman.

True North: A Roadmap for Discernment by Joel Stepanek

Follow God’s will. Just discern it. Ask God to help you with that big decision.

This book is written to help you discern God’s will for your life in a way that is transformative, rather than stressful. Not only will it take the fear out of discernment, it will allow the process to become a part of most of the decisions you make.

God, Help Me: How to Grow in Prayer by Jim Beckman

Jim Beckman will not only introduce you to the wisdom and teaching of the Church regarding prayer, but he will also provide tools that will help you achieve real intimacy with God.

Vocations Anonymous: A Handbook for Adults Discerning Priesthood and Religious Life by Sr. Kathleen Bryant, RSC, D. Min.

Vocations Anonymous is a complete guide, concise and practical, for the discernment of vocations. Its merit lies in its straightforward and clear language. It speaks of God’s call and tells you how you can understand and follow it.

When God Asks for an Undivided Heart by Andrew Apostoli, CFR

Celibacy is one of God s greatest gifts to the world … and also one of the most misunderstood. With clear, insightful reflections, Fr. Apostoli provides a penetrating look at this valuable discipline based on his 40 years as a priest, spiritual director, and seminary teacher.

Website References:

Check out resources online that are specifically geared to help you find your way. Your diocesan office of vocations may have excellent resources on their own website, too.

• Vocation Ministry list of resources such as books and videos for both men and women
• Match-Vocation Network – Check out your Vocation Profile. Whether you are interested in becoming a sister, brother, priest from a religious order, diocesan priest, or secular institute/consecrated life this quick online survey will consider where you are spiritually and your gifts and match you with a possible community or order with which you might have a match.
• Vocation Network also has great resources, such as a free discernment magazine called VISION and many articles to guide you in this process.
• Melchizedek Project Podcast – Listen to a series of discernment podcasts given by Fr. Brett Brannen.
• Vocational discernment can be difficult and confusing, especially if it is done alone. Utilizing content created by Franciscan University, Vocations Outreach has created a mentorship program that connects young adults with professed religious to help them discern God’s will. Read about the main components of the program Vocation Outreach
• VISION Vocation Guide and its VISION VocationNetwork.org are the most comprehensive resources available in print and online for those seeking information on Catholic religious vocations and men’s and women’s religious communities. Order copies of their vocation guide in print at no cost: https://vocationnetwork.org/en/orders For more information on the content, see their article index or read the current digital edition.
• Take a Vocation Retreat:
  • Religious Life – You might want to start with one of our Vocation Online Retreats. Each retreat consists of eight emailed meditations, one sent each day. The emails consist of meditations and reflections that help you find your vocation in life.