Jesuit Priest Offers Four Essential Practices for Discernment

CLEVELAND - Aug. 29, 2013 - PRLog -- I recently came across the following article and video of Fr. James Martin of the Society of Jesus, who offered some sound vocational advice to the youth. Too often, we are plagued by misconceptions in discerning a vocation, and Fr. Martin's video is refreshingly practical and straight-forward in offering good, solid advice!

Click for video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpGd8-8eEB8&feature=youtu.be



Want to find your God-given vocation? Feel you might be called to become a Sister? Not sure how to go about it all?

Then click and watch this excellent talk by Fr. James Martin, of the Society of Jesus, as he shares personal examples and practical advice to folks like you who are discerning their vocation.

Fr. James bangs out not only good, solid Jesuit spirituality, but seems to be the kind of holy and prayerful priest that we all want directing our youth group. And yet he's as down to earth as ever.

In his video made for World Youth Day, Fr. James breaks down four essential practices to discover your vocation:

Don't wait for a flashing neon sign. While slogging through the daily routine of discovering one's vocation, there may exist the misconception of waiting for a call. While some of our great saints have received direction in the form of visions and voices, waiting for a supernatural calling is neither the typical nor expected way to discern.

You already have a vocation! We are made to be holy, happy, and to serve God. This may or may not mean a vocation to religious life, but we all have a vocation to become the best, holiest version of ourselves. This means we can banish the fear or trepidation that "I may have a vocation!" and instead realize that only by discovering our vocation will we be at peace.

Don't be hasty to disregard desire. Often, desire is confused with our selfish and shallow wants, but it's much more than that - it is the key to who we are and what we are meant to become. In Fr. Martin's own life, it was attraction towards service and the sacraments, which helped him understand his religious vocation. Through the deep desires of the heart, God calls us to a life which glorifies Him. To follow the desires of our heart, one must first set aside the shallow wants which lay on the surface to distract.

Interpretation is needed - so pray for understanding. The path to Christ's fulfillment is rarely clear-cut. St. Ignatius of Loyola said, "pray to understand your desires." God speaks through peace and joy, but it can take time for emotions and distractions to settle, so to speak. Ask yourself what really gives you joy. Do not be discouraged if it takes time to recognize what holy desires God has placed on your heart. Learn from St. Augustine who said, "Our hearts are restless O Lord, until they rest in you."

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By Sr. Jeanette Marie, the Vocation Director of the Mercedarian Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. http://mercedariansisters.org/