3 Steps to Discern Your Vocation | LITTLE BY LITTLE | Fr Columba Jordan CFR

While each of us is called to a specific vocation, figuring out what that is can be a challenge. Fr Columba lists three things you need to do to discern well. If you're sitting on the fence, this is your wakeup call.

Episode Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:42 1) Call
0:52 2) Desire
1:55 Guilted into Vocation?
3:02 Discern When Young
4:18 The Role of Prayer
7:07 Jump Off the Cliff
7:56 3) Capacity
9:41 Be Free to Give Yourself

🔴 THIS SERIES

Little by Little | Episode #151

Little by Little is a weekly video series by Called to More in collaboration with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. Our host, Fr Columba Jordan CFR, brings you quality Catholic content with new episodes every Thursday at 6pm GMT. Be sure to subscribe!

🔴 GIVING

We couldn't create this series without our supporters. If you find these videos helpful or think they might help others, please consider joining our support team below.

Thank you.

🔴 WEBSITES

🔴 SOCIAL MEDIA

[easyray]

I'm 63 and still trying to figure out my vocation. I haven't listened enough to God's call in my life. I am a father and a grandfather, but I pray for discernment every day. I hope my new vocation will be living near my grandchildren and being a godly and kind presence in their lives for as long as the Lord sees fit for me to live. I esp hope to grow in my life with Christ through my family, friends, and co-workers.

[Jane-ncfr]

In our area in Colorado, USA, we have a wonderful priest who’s dad became a priest and has a brother who became a priest. His dad lost his wife in 2004 and finished raising his children and became a priest. The dad was a deacon when he was married. This is so marvelous.

[MaryAntonia-tcrv]

We have been so blessed with men in mature ages becoming deacons. They went back to college and still were working full time to study to become deacons. Thank you Lord ❤️

[marilynm]

I think we need a community, maybe a lay community of older believers who want to dedicate the second part of their life to prayer and service….

[Konsqwali]

YOU. SPOKE. TO. MY. HEART!

To clarify: I felt poor feeling happy to be an altar server. I thought I was being complacent in my peace and satisfaction of upkeeping the altar as a server during before, during, and after Mass.

I also saw altar boys, but no altar men so to speak. So in a way, I also felt childish. The chapel I go to is very small, very modest, and has very few children.

When I saw the older priest (he's 74) struggling to conduct Mass on his own, I really just wanted to help. This has opened my eyes to many of practices and traditions. And I constantly want to up my game, learn the many ways to honor God at the altar, in a devotional room (Monstrance), and help (instead of criticize) the things that are lacking within more modern Catholic altar practices.

Thank you Fr Columba. Something about this spicy, snarky talk really helped me to understand what my heart has been trying to express in my love for God. Thank you, and God bless you! 🕊🙏🏽

[LaurenNewstrom]

Thank you for this!!! I’ve been having some anxiety about this topic and my heart is encouraged as you remind us of God’s love for us, His goodness, and the fact that He will speak through our desires. God Bless

[thossi]

Funny thing (relevant to the "Discern when young" section of the video). Back home in Iceland, a popular term for "retirement" is "seating oneself in holy stone" (or "setjast í helgan stein"). "Holy stone" (or "helgan stein" -that's the accusative, the nominative is "helgur steinn") is another word for monastery; they were one of the few stone buildings in Iceland back then, and they were holy. So... old people, too old to take care of their farm, they would look to join a monastery (or a nunnery, I suppose) and spend their last few years there.

[laineyr]

I love this man, he's so funny:)

[chadwicks_guitar]

Bless you Father ✝️
I wish the church would reconsider the age cut off. There are many faithful who don’t know their calling until later in life, and life experience will allow them to more fully submit to the ordained life.

[kimportelli]

I wish I'd heard that 20, even 10 years ago. My discernment process was very difficult, found it hard to get sufficient help and advice especially positive and encouraging in a general nature. I received only indifference or even opposition from my family, though not from all but mostly. (I am from Sydney).

[OMurchadha]

For years and years I've *wanted to want* a monastic vocation; I've wanted to feel called. I find contemplative life utterly fascinating; I've read about it, visited a monastery, prayed the hours. I should pray more on it, but at over 35, and not having the best history with authority, it seems unlikely now. But, as one of the monastery sites said about this exact issue: "there is no limit on God's grace".

[Keevus]

Thank you Fr Columba for including the bit on capacity - It was very helpful.

[juanittackittackito]

I haven’t analyzed my heart fully yet.
But what I do know is this, I fear not getting married, not having children.
But at the same time, I feel a longing to work The LORDs field, and bring people to CHRIST, humbly for GOD just as the friars do.
However I’m currently studying engineering under a scholarship which my boss gave me.. he’s paying for my education.
How could I abandon him? I believe GOD gave me this opportunity aswell..
I’ve always wanted to make and build things but I also want to be an instrument of GOD.. I want to give myself fully to GOD… I just don’t know how to do it, maybe I believe it has to be in an extraordinary way, but as you said “I want what GOD wants.” I often find myself saying that… say a quick little prayer for me and the youth who want to seek GOD ultimately. GOD bless✝️

[paulhornbogen]

Father, two thumbs up with using the heart as truth. You truly are good father.

[funtimewithu]

It was helpful Fr❤😊! Your humour never gets old😂🥰

[ChrisMartin-pzmp]

I’m old now but I still remember when my dad sat me down and asked if I was going to become a priest. At 22 I was not really ready. Years later I know it is always good to look for God’s presence in my life. So I pray and study and try to be a good person. This is what I have to give the world in my life.

[julesarteaga]

Sometimes wanned be a nun, some anothers marrige 😂😂What do I Really want?🤔 Good question.
Thanks father!!

[Spoot]

It's good to be edgy sometimes, father; it breaks down that "sensitivity wall" for some people and grips their attention.

[johnhaynes]

He always makes you smile, top man :)

[marcondespaulo]

I was doing my experience at a Cistercian Abbey here in Brazil. When leaving the abbey, I had a severe car accident that put in the hospital for a month. That was 2 years 3 motnhs ago. Now, I'm too old for them. That hurts. I was already set on leaving my job, earthly belongings and forego marriage. Now, I'm lost. If Fr. Columba or any othe brother can talk to me, it would be extremelly helpful.