From Adoration to vocation

By Fr Kenwyn Sylvester

Director of Vocation

“It is in adoration that the soul becomes aware of My friendship, of My presence, and of My love.” —In Sinu Jesu

A sacred conversation is always unfolding—one that takes place not with words, but in silence. It happens when we kneel before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. This encounter, this quiet exchange between the heart of Christ and the heart of the believer, is what In Sinu Jesu so beautifully calls “heart speaking to heart.”

For those discerning a call to the priesthood or Religious life, Eucharistic Adoration is not just a spiritual practice; it is a place of awakening. In the stillness, Christ draws us near. He speaks with clarity, affirms our identity, and reveals the beauty of a life given entirely to Him.

This sacred silence has been my anchor. In my own journey of discernment, it was not a dramatic sign or a lightning-bolt moment that confirmed my vocation, but the gentle persistence of our Eucharistic Lord, inviting me, again and again, to return. Not for answers, but for relationship. For love.

In In Sinu Jesu, a Benedictine monk records the words he hears from Jesus during Adoration—words that echo the invitation many of you may be sensing in your hearts: “I want priests and religious and consecrated souls who will live in My presence and radiate My presence to others.”

This is the heart of vocation. It is not first about doing, but about being—being with Jesus, being formed by His gaze, and being sent from His heart to reflect His love in a world that is longing for His real presence.

Many young men and women carry doubts as they discern their vocation: ‘Am I holy enough? Can I really give my whole life away? What if I fail?’

But in Adoration, those fears begin to fade. Before the Eucharist, you come just as you are—wounded, questioning, searching. And in that vulnerability, Jesus meets you with mercy and tenderness: “Come to Me with your wounds and brokenness, for I will make you whole. It is in My Eucharistic presence that your true identity is revealed.”

This is the hidden grace of Adoration. In the silence, Christ gently reorders your heart. You begin to see yourself not through the lens of fear or inadequacy, but as God sees you: chosen, beloved, and called—not because you are perfect, but because He is.

Whether you are considering diocesan priesthood, religious brotherhood, or consecrated life as a Sister, every vocation flows from the Eucharist. It is there that the call is heard, the courage is received, and the mission is entrusted. It is in the silence that Jesus transforms you.

As we’ve reflected in previous articles, vocation is not about what we can do for God—it is about giving ourselves entirely to Him as a gift. The saints show us this. The Blessed Mother shows us this. And Christ Himself, present in the Eucharist, invites us into this same surrender every day.

“The renewal of the priesthood, and of the consecrated life, will come through a return to the Most Holy Eucharist.” —In Sinu Jesu

So, I invite you: begin with Adoration. Find a parish where Adoration is offered. Come with your questions. Come with your hopes. Come with your fears.

Sit in the silence. Let Jesus love you. Let His gaze restore you. And listen, not just for answers, but for the sound of your name being called.

He is not looking for the extraordinary. He is looking for those willing to be loved, to be formed, and to be sent.

As In Sinu Jesu reminds us, the heart of Jesus is open, and He is waiting.

I leave you with these questions to ponder:

1. What does Jesus say to my heart in the silence of Adoration?
2. Is Jesus calling me to be wholly His in the priesthood or Religious life?
3. Am I willing to let Jesus heal, form, and send me through time spent in His Eucharistic presence?

Let the Sacred Heart speak to your heart. And do not be afraid to say “yes”.

And you are not alone. The Office of Vocations is here to walk with you. Contact us at vocations@catholictt.org or (868) 499-0302 or (868) 473-9806.

If you feel inspired to support the mission of the Office of Vocations as we accompany young men and women in their call to the priesthood and Religious life, consider donating via Republic Bank Acc. # 340 006 832 701.

Every contribution helps us continue this vital work of nurturing vocations in our Archdiocese.