QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN DISCERNING A RELIGIOUS VOCATION

– From “A Guide to Religious Ministries for Catholic Men and Women”  WWW.RELIGIOUSMINISTRIES.COM

Thoughtfully thinking about the questions below can help you in the process of discerning whether you are being called to a religious life as a priest, brother, or sister.  Writing down the answers in a journal often helps one to reach clarity, as does discussing your  thoughts with your spiritual director:

1. Name your two top motivating factors for your interest in a religious vocation.
2. What excites you at the prospect of ministering with and for others?  Explain each.
3. What in your estimation is the number one “mission” of the Catholic Church?
4. What is the difference between serving God and being in love with God?
5. What does a “personal relationship” with Jesus mean to you?
6. What major events, changes, or traumas in your life trigger your attraction toward a religious vocation?
7. Are you flexible and open to others of different thought, theology, practice, piety or devotion?
8. Who has been a mentor or someone you would like to imitate in your ministry and why?  If there are several list them all.
9. Do you think the Catholic Church needs to address issues that you feel are important?  What are your solutions?
10. What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the Church in the 21st century and what has given you this impression?
11. Please explain your idea of what “collaborative ministry” entails.  Have you ever worked in this fashion (give concrete examples)?Please
12. We face obstacles and resistance with any major decision in our lives.  Name the obstacles which at present are hindering you from making an informed or a confident decision towards a religious vocation.  How have you been addressing these obstacles or areas of resistance?
13. Do you prefer to spend time with others or do you consider yourself a private person?
14. What is the difference between being alone and being lonely?
    
    

Reflecting on God’s Word and prayer will help you with these questions.  Here are some passages from Scripture relating to call, vocation, choices and journey on which you can meditate: