Sometimes God speaks in fire and lightning. Sometimes God speaks in a whisper. But always, we must listen carefully for that voice, and be open to God’s plan.
Have you felt nudged by God to be or do something more?
God calls each individual to love and serve in different ways. The call to religious life can be intimidating but the decision to follow God’s plan can be liberating as well.
With any life change, we need to give ourselves the time and the space to make the best decision possible. So set aside your fear and take a leap of faith, knowing that God is with you.
“The thought of making a life-long commitment to God in religious life might scare you. But if it makes you feel more alive and brings out the best in you, you might want to invest in testing out whether it’s God’s call for you.” (Sr. Mary Vuong, OP)
How do you know if you are being called to religious life? There’s rarely a bolt of lightning or a billboard to point you in the right direction, but here are a few questions to ask yourself:
You may experience one, all, or none of these feelings – remember, God works within each of us individually, but effectively.
Signs of God’s Invitation to Pursue Religious LifeAt the heart of discerning a call to religious life is your relationship with God and a desire to serve others. You may want to pray with these questions or discuss them with a friend or one of our Vocation Ministers.
God speaks to us in the silence of our hearts, in our prayer, and through honest investigation. Be open and explore these ways to understand how God is calling you:
Being called to religious life is an invitation from God. Here are some thoughts for your reflection:
You don’t need to walk alone. Others are on this journey with you. A spiritual director or a Vocation Minister can journey with you. Take courage and be open!