Vocational Discernment

All of us are called to become saints. Holiness is our primary vocation. But the Lord also calls each of us to a particular state in life. This “secondary vocation” is the path that will help us most easily achieve sanctity, so it’s important to figure out what this path is as best we’re able! Start with some of the resources below to begin discerning your particular (secondary) vocation. In the meantime, don’t waste even a day pursuing your primary vocation, holiness!

General Principles of Vocational Discernment

Three Talks on Principles of Discernment

Father Mattingly, our chaplain, breaks down in three 30-minute meditations, many important principles of vocational discernment. These were recorded in 2018 at a City on a Hill silent retreat.

Book: Discernment Dos and Donts, by Fr. George Elliott, 2018.

A basic, introductory look at how to approach vocational discernment.

Book: Discerning the Will of God: An Ignatian Guide to Christian Decision-Making, by Fr. Timothy Gallagher, 2009.

This book guides the reader through St. Ignatius of Loyola’s principles for finding God’s will when faced with any decision (vocation or otherwise). This book, for it to be most effective, should be read in conjunction with Fr. Gallagher’s book detailing St. Ignatius’ first 14 rules of discernment, titled The Discernment of Spirits (2005).

Meeting With A Priest

If you’re intimidated or don’t know where to begin with vocational discernment, feel free to e-mail our chaplain, Fr. Mattingly (mattingly@diocesekcsj.org). He is more than happy to make time to sit down with you himself, or set you up with someone who can help you dive into vocational discernment.