Pray to the Lord of the Harvest… Vocation discernment rooted in prayer

Q: Archbishop J, why a vocations week?

Each November, we dedicate a week to vocation awareness. This initiative reminds us that, through our Baptism, we are all called by God. Each of us has a vocation, which means we have a duty before God to discern the unique way He calls us to live our lives. This call applies to every Catholic at every age and stage of life.

Scriptural roots

In his letter to the Ephesians, St Paul writes: “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling (vocation) you have received.”  The Greek verb for calling, kaleo, refers to how God calls each of us to our unique vocation.

Typically, when we think about vocations, we have priests, nuns, or consecrated laypeople in mind. But St Paul emphasises that everyone has a calling. This vocation will shape the way we live our lives with God.

Given that each of us has a vocation, it is vital that we discern this vocation continually and live it generously. Imagine if every Catholic fully embraced this pattern. The impact would be transformative, overflowing families, the Church, and society with grace. You have a responsibility to discern how God is calling you.

Discernment

Marriage, the single life, consecrated life (lay, religious, or priesthood) are the only three states of life. If you are married, a priest, or consecrated, you have already discerned your vocation, but your work is not over.

Each day, you are called to discern how to live out that vocation more deeply. If you are single, you are still in the process of discernment.

Choosing your life’s path is not merely a pragmatic decision; it requires discernment and a sincere search for God’s will. This means seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance and having the interior freedom to respond to God’s call.

Are you willing to ask God what He wants for your life? This willingness to seek God’s will is at the heart of what the Church is being invited to embrace through synodality.

A synodal Church is a discerning Church. Imagine the impact on the Church if all Catholics started actively discerning their vocations and seeking to live their chosen path more faithfully. This would change the Church in profound ways, creating a community where everyone strives to understand and do God’s will in all aspects of life.

Living in this way means aligning our lives with our consciences and the moral teachings of the Bible and the Church. This is the foundation. Examine your life and ask God to reveal the areas where He is inviting you to grow. When you recognise these areas, bring them to prayer and, if needed, to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

AEC discernment

In 2017, the Bishops of the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) convened a mini assembly focused on vocation discernment. We explored the universal call to holiness and the specific ways God invites us to respond. We identified five levels of vocation (see illustration):

1. Personal Call: God called you from your mother’s womb (Jer 1:5).
2. Charisms: The unique gifts God has given you to build up Christ’s Body (Eph 4).
3. Life/Professional Calling: The specific work you do (e.g., teacher, technician, doctor) as a single, married, or consecrated person.
4. Conscience: God’s daily call to live your vocation according to His will.
5. Integral Human Development: Pope Paul VI spoke of this as the Church’s vocation: to foster growth in every aspect of human life. We are called to develop ourselves and each other.

Each vocation dimension is crucial; embracing them all opens us to God’s grace as we discern His unique call upon our lives.

A Way of Prayer

First Level: Discernment begins with a deep, vital relationship with Christ. Ask God to reveal your vocation. How does God know you and call you by name? Often, you can detect God’s presence through a recurring pattern in your life. As for me, I frequently find myself serving as a bridge between different groups of people. This pattern has emerged over time, and when it occurs, I trust that God is at work, and I wait for His guidance.

Second Level: Reflect on your natural gifts and talents. What abilities do you possess that have been affirmed by others? These natural and spiritual gifts—such as music, speaking, writing, hospitality, listening, or creating a welcoming atmosphere—are part of how God equips you to serve. Be generous with these gifts to build up the Body of Christ.

Third Level: This is where discernment becomes most profound. If you feel a pull toward the priesthood or consecrated life, deepen your prayer life. Don’t be afraid of what God might ask of you. His call is the path to true joy. Pray specifically, asking God to show you His will and to make your heart open to receive it. Pray for clarity and confirmation if you are discerning marriage or single life. In marriage, choosing the right partner is crucial. It is difficult to discern this properly if you already live like a married person. Practice chastity, build a strong friendship, and lay a solid foundation.

Pray about your career, too. Ask how God wants you to contribute to the Church and society. Consider teaching as a vocation; it can profoundly impact others.

Fourth Level: Living by your conscience and according to the Bible and Church teachings is fundamental. Reflect on your life and ask God to reveal areas where He calls you to grow morally and spiritually. When you identify these, bring them to prayer and, if necessary, to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We all struggle in certain areas, but let these struggles drive you to your knees, seeking God’s mercy and grace.

Fifth Level: Our call extends to the growth and development of others: body, mind, heart, and spirit. Our life’s work should contribute to this integral human development. How do you spend your time and energy? It should be dedicated to the betterment of others. Making money is not the primary goal of our lives.

Key Message:

Each of us has a vocation, and it is our responsibility to discern it. If families and parishes became communities focused on vocation discernment, we would have an abundance of holy families, priests, consecrated laypeople, and religious needed to build up the Church and society.

Action Step:

If you feel a pull toward the priesthood, consecrated life, lay or religious life, don’t be afraid. Talk to someone and start your journey. Contact Generation S at 1-868-499-0302 to explore this new phase.

Scripture Reading:

Ephesians 4:1–16