Vocational Discernment
Vocation is a Latin word meaning “call.” God is calling each and every one to live out our lives fully as human beings, to become the man or woman he made us to be according to our own unique individuality.
Discernment is another way to say discovery, so vocational discernment is about discovering where God is calling you? And then living out that call.
God has a plan for our lives because He said, “I know the plans I have in mind for you, it is Yahweh who speaks, plans for good and not for disaster, reserving a future full of hope for you.” (Jeremiah 29:11).
But how do we discover God’s plan for our lives? St Ignatius of Loyola says that we start by making a real decision to follow Jesus Christ with our whole hearts. He tells us that finding out God’s plan for our lives begins with doing what we already know God wants us to do. To develop a life of Prayer and to have Freedom of Heart within ourselves.
Every person is different, some people may experience the above but it may not mean that they should become a religious sister, priest or lay missionary. It’s always good to check this out through prayer and conversation with others, a good friend or perhaps a person you know who is already living this kind of life.
Columban missionaries are present in 17 countries across the globe and are involved in a wide variety of ministries.
Would you like to find out more about the life of a Columban missionary priest, a Columban lay missionary and whether God is calling you to such a life?
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