Help a Man Discern
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God is calling young men to the priesthood … We can help them hear His call in a noisy world.
Know someone who might be called to the priesthood?
Invitation matters – you can help!
Yearly surveys of seminarians and many personal testimonies from seminarians consistently indicate that an invitation to consider priesthood from family, friends, coaches, mentors and priests was very influential in their decision to consider pursuing seminary formation.
Step 1: Recognizing the signs of a possible vocation to priesthood
Do you know a young man who shows signs of a possible vocation to priesthood?
They include:
- He has spoken of his desire for or openness to considering the possibility of priesthood
- He regularly attends Mass and Confession
- He is a grateful person
- He has a heart for service: volunteers and shows concern for others
- He is healthy and well adjusted for his age—if you had a daughter his age, you’d be happy to hear that your daughter went on a date with him
- He loves being Catholic
- He enjoys learning about the faith
- He is prayerful
- He shows concern for others
- He takes interest in people
- You would be happy and encouraged if you heard he entered seminary
Step 2: If you know a young man in your community who has several of those qualities, what can you do?
- Talk to a priest in your parish, let them know what you see AND
- If you have a personal relationship with the young man, tell him what you see in him, and ask him if he has ever prayerfully considered the possibility of going to the seminary AND
- Pass along his name to our diocesan Vocations Team
What will the Vocations Team do when they receive a name?
- We will reach out to the pastor of the parish and find out more about the young man
- We will strive to connect the young man with people in his life who can
- Help him experience more of God’s personal love for him
- Encourage him in the basic practices of growing discipleship
- Daily prayer
- Frequent reception of the sacraments
- A daily diet of the Word of God
- Good fellowship
- Opportunities for service
- Offer a personal invitation to him in age-appropriate diocesan events to deepen his faith
- Discipleship camps (jr. and sr. high)
- Retreat experiences
- Seminary visits
- Attending ordinations at the cathedral
The goal of the Vocations Team is not “to get the guy in the seminary.” The goal is to help the young man grow in his life of faith and discipleship so
- He can more easily hear God’s vocational call, whatever that may be AND
- Respond to God with freedom and generosity