Prayer For Guidance

"Most high, glorious God
enlighten the darkness of my heart
and grant me, Lord,
a correct faith,
a certain hope,
a perfect charity,
sense and knowledge,
so that I may carry out,
Your holy and true command."

Scripture Related to Vocations:

Old Testament

Abraham: Gen. 12:1-4a
Moses: Ex. 3:10-12, 4:1 10-12
Amos: Amos 7:14-15
Isaiah: Is 6:8
Jeremiah: Jer 1:4-8
Ezekiel: Ez 3:1-4
Kings: 1 Kings 10

New Testament

Night in Prayer: Lk 6:12-15
The Twelve: Mk 3:13-15
Rich Young Man: Lk 18:15-30
Requirements: Lk 9:57-62
The Cross: Mt 16:25-28
Few Chosen: Mt 22:1-14
Temptation: Lk 4:1-13
Martha & Mary: Lk 10:38-42
Seek First: Lk 12:22-31
What Matters: Phil 1:9-10
All Things: Rom 8:26-31

for help with your vocation, please call:

Sr. Francis, Vocation Director,
at 212-831-3334

8 Steps to Discerning

Be Quiet: In order to hear the Lord's voice calling, take time to pray and meditate in silence about your vocation, especially in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

Find a spiritual director - somebody you can be open with, who can help you to develop your relationship with God and to help you know yourself better.

Ask a priest, brother or sister in your parish to put you in touch with the vocation director.

Read up on religious and priestly life. Look at the good periodicals on vocations and check out the ads.

Write to the communities that interest you.

Visit the ones you feel called to you.

Build a relationship with the one with which you have a sense of coming home. Get involved in its summer and monthly programs. Don't just talk the talk - walk the walk with them as well.

Wait for the Lord; discerning your vocation is a process. God's timing is always perfect - but seldom seems soon enough.