Three Signs The Order Is Right For You
Three Signs The Order Is Right For You
You’ve been discerning a call to the religious life. You’ve probably even visited a couple of orders, spent a “come-and-see” weekend with them, or volunteered some time serving in their ministry. Every order you’ve visited seems great, and they’re certainly doing some very good work on behalf of Christ and His Gospel. So how do you know what order is right for you?
Here are three signs that God is calling you to live out the religious life in a specific order:
You’re attracted to the lifestyle
If you love teaching, then look for an order whose charism is education. If you love evangelization, then look for an order that focuses more directly on evangelization. If you’re passionate about ecumenism, then look for an order that is actively working toward Church unity. And if you’re passionate about ministering to those on the margins of society, then seek out orders dedicated to the poor, struggling addicts, or humanitarian relief. Remember, you’ll be dedicating the rest of your life to the work of this order. Make sure you’re passionate about it first!
Others have told you you’d be a good fit
Discernment is never something that you can do alone. Why? For the simple fact that God only rarely reveals His plans to us through direct intervention. In the normal order of things, God reveals His will for us through “signs and wonders,” the little things of life that point us in the right direction. When it comes to discerning your vocation, those “signs and wonders” most often come through other people – parents, friends, relatives, and yes Vocations Directors. Listening to what others are saying can give you a clear indication that an order is a good fit for you, or if you should keep looking.
You’re at peace when you join in their work
One of the most effective ways to discern an order is to spend time with them and join in their work. When you visit an order be attentive to that “at home” sense of peace you may get in your gut. This is often God’s way of telling us that you’ve arrived – this is where He wants you. If you’re visiting an order and you experience nothing but restlessness the whole time you’re there, that’s a sure sign that you need to discern a different order. But if you get that “at home” feeling, it’s time to start pursuing that order more deeply.
You’ve been discerning a call to the religious life. You’ve probably even visited a couple of orders, spent a “come-and-see” weekend with them, or volunteered some time serving in their ministry. Every order you’ve visited seems great, and they’re certainly doing some very good work on behalf of Christ and His Gospel. So how do you know what order is right for you?
Here are three signs that God is calling you to live out the religious life in a specific order:
You’re attracted to the lifestyle
If you love teaching, then look for an order whose charism is education. If you love evangelization, then look for an order that focuses more directly on evangelization. If you’re passionate about ecumenism, then look for an order that is actively working toward Church unity. And if you’re passionate about ministering to those on the margins of society, then seek out orders dedicated to the poor, struggling addicts, or humanitarian relief. Remember, you’ll be dedicating the rest of your life to the work of this order. Make sure you’re passionate about it first!
Others have told you you’d be a good fit
Discernment is never something that you can do alone. Why? For the simple fact that God only rarely reveals His plans to us through direct intervention. In the normal order of things, God reveals His will for us through “signs and wonders,” the little things of life that point us in the right direction. When it comes to discerning your vocation, those “signs and wonders” most often come through other people – parents, friends, relatives, and yes Vocations Directors. Listening to what others are saying can give you a clear indication that an order is a good fit for you, or if you should keep looking.
You’re at peace when you join in their work
One of the most effective ways to discern an order is to spend time with them and join in their work. When you visit an order be attentive to that “at home” sense of peace you may get in your gut. This is often God’s way of telling us that you’ve arrived – this is where He wants you. If you’re visiting an order and you experience nothing but restlessness the whole time you’re there, that’s a sure sign that you need to discern a different order. But if you get that “at home” feeling, it’s time to start pursuing that order more deeply.
Now that you know the signs, you’re going to need a roadmap with some tips for discerning your vocation. That’s why the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement would like to share their free eBook 10 Tips for Discernment with you! Cut through the confusion and get the clarity you’ve been looking for. Download 10 Tips for Discernment today and get ready to discover God’s mission for you!
Live and Discern
Are you ready to take action on your discernment? Then consider spending a few months (or an entire year!) at Our Lady of the Atonement House of Discernment – where you can immerse yourself in the life of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement and discover if God is calling you to a life of At-One-Ment.
©2019 Franciscan Friars of Atonement
©2019 Franciscan Friars of Atonement