Resources for Discernment

Resources for Discernment

Below are some resources that might help in your discernment.  Obviously if God is calling you to the priesthood you should be seeking the guidance of a Spiritual Director to speak with about your discernment.

Quiz

Do you think you might have a vocation to the priesthood?  Take this Vocations Quiz to help your discernment.

Questions?

Have questions about the priesthood?  Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

Meditations

Here are some passages from Sacred Scripture relating to call, vocation, choices, and journey upon which you might want to meditate. . .

Old Testament:

New Testament:

Pray, Pray, Pray

Keep speaking with Christ.  Here is a prayer that you can use:

Thy Will Be Done

Lord Jesus Christ, I come before You with joy and confidence knowing that You created me with a unique purpose in this world.

I come before You with humility and I beg You to help me know Your plan for my life. Give me the desire to do Your will alone – trusting You in all things.

May Your Holy Spirit help me to hear your voice in the Scriptures, and may it encourage me to follow You with the radical faith of Your first disciples.

Through every celebration of Mass may I know the power of Your love revealed in the Eucharist. Help me to adore You in Your Body and Blood and thus, becoming ever more free, I might surrender to You: my heart, my mind, my will, and my all

Give many young people the courage to lay down their lives in radical witness to your love. Give abundant numbers of priests and religious to Your Church as she seeks to build a civilization of love.

Lord Jesus, in Your mercy, hear my prayers.

Reading

Articles on the priesthood by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M., Cap.

As Christ Loved the Church - A pastoral letter to the people of God of northern Colorado on forming tomorrow’s priests.

Priestly Vocations - Healthy families and parish communities foster vocations.

Important Church documents on the priesthood

Presbyterorum Ordinis – Vatican II decree on the ministry and life of priests.

Pastores Dabo Vobis (I will give you shepherds) – An Apostolic Exhortation by Pope John Paul II on the formation of priests in the circumstances of the present day.

Holy Father’s messages on this year’s World Day of Prayer for Vocations - Annual messages by Pope John Paull II on the occasion of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Vocations: Everybody’s Business - Pastoral letter by Bishop Sean O’Malley of Fall River, Massachusetts. Provides a good all-around picture of the priestly vocation, the nation’s vocation picture, the importance of encouraging priestly vocations and what we can do to encourage vocations.

Other Books on the priesthood, vocations, and celibacy (Book titles link to the book on Amazon.com)

“Gift and Mystery” by Pope John Paul II (ISBN-10: 0385493711)

“Could You Ever Become a Catholic Priest?” by Christopher and Lorene Duquin (ISBN-10: 0818908890)

“Peter on the Shore: Vocation in Scripture and in Real Life” by Anthony Bannon, L.C. (ISBN-10: 0965160106)

“On Living Simply: The Golden Voice of John Chrysostom” compiled by Robert Van de Weyer (ISBN-10: 0764800566)

“Elijah” by Adrienne Von Speyr (ISBN-10: 0898702704)

Other Vocation Related Links

Diocese of Joliet Vocations Page - check out this great web site for information on vocations to the priesthood and religious life (both men and women)!

Des Moines Diocese vocations to the Catholic priesthood – Another great web site with information about the priesthood. Be sure to look at the FAQ’s.

Archdiocese of Chicago’s vocations to the priesthood

Institute on Religious Life

St. John Vianney Seminary’s – the Archdiocese of Denver’s Seminary home page

VISION Magazine - Religious Vocation Discernment Guide

New Advent or Catholic Answers for questions about the faith

Catholic Stuff You Should Know Podcast