How do I know if God is calling me?

•Your relationship with God gives you strength and direction.

•You love your Catholic Faith and are faithful to the Eucharist.

•You enjoy working with people.

•You are often found going out of your way for others in some kind of service.

•You are physically, emotionally and spiritually healthy.

•Other people have suggested to you that you may be called to the priesthood or religious life.

•You don’t feel worthy of the call; you are some what afraid but at the same time excited about the possibility.

•You are able to diligently apply yourself to your studies or your job at the present time.  People can count on you to come through for them.

Discernment takes a lot of introspection and prayer. Even if you never become a priest or religious, often the discernment process helps you to know yourself better. Looking into your heart and asking yourself these questions is a big step toward becoming a better Christian!

•Have I experienced God’s love in my life?

•Do I actively practice my Catholic faith and participate in my parish?

•Does the Gospel message excite and challenge me?

•Am I searching for a way to share my gifts with others?

•Do I desire a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ?

•Am I willing to offer my life for the mission of Jesus Christ and his church?

•Do I like working with people and do I get along with men and women from all walks of life?

•Do I want to make a positive difference in the lives of others?

Characteristics of a good candidate for the priesthood

•Love Jesus Christ and desire others to love Him.

•Be a believing, practicing Catholic.  God to Mass every Sunday and on Holy Days.

•Live a life of virtue and striving against sin.

•Live and desire a life of service in my Church and community.

•Live and desire a life of prayer.  Attend daily Mass or make visits to the Blessed Sacrament. Frequently make use of the Sacrament of Confession.  Read the Bible and take time for personal prayer.

•Desire to be a priest.  Be attracted to the priesthood, even though it involves personal sacrifice.

•Have one’s call validated by other people who suggest that you should consider the priesthood.

•Live a life of virtue.  Know what is right and wrong according to the teaching of Jesus and his Church.

•Able to accept failure.

•Be a “people person” i.e., have good social skills and like to be around people.

•Have a good sense of humor!

•Have a basic human goodness.  Be a relatively generous and unselfish person.

•Have at least average intelligence to complete eight to ten years of college-level and masters-level coursework in Theology.

•Be physically, emotionally and psychologically stable.

•Have a “priest’s heart” full of kindness and compassion for others.

•Possess self-discipline.  Be courteous, punctual, and composed.

•Display stability in lifestyle, i.e. consistency as a student or employee.

•Have a healthy psycho-sexual orientation.

•Be a gentleman, i.e. have good manners, correct grammar in communication, a neat appearance and proper hygiene.

•Be open to the will of God for his life.