The Church calls these visible signs areas of formation. A man called to priesthood must be open to be molded or formed by the Church into a man of virtue, prayer, integrity, and holiness.
There are four areas of formation:
If you are being called to be a priest, you will see visible signs.
Human
you are someone whom others trust and turn to, you draw people around you closer to Christ.
Spiritual
you have a lively and personal love for Jesus Christ and the Church, the people of God and you desire to courageously serve Christ.
Intellectual
you have the capacity and desire to learn and grow in your understanding of Jesus Christ, the Church, our world, and culture.
Pastoral
you have a desire to care for God’s holy people, by serving them as the Good Shepherd serves them. You make a difference in people’s lives through your witness to Christ.
If you recognize these qualities or their potential in yourself or others, it might be the seed of a priestly vocation.
Take the Quiz
Are you being called by the Father to be a priest?
Take this quick discernment quiz to find out! Answer “yes” or “no” to the following questions:
- Does the idea of becoming a priest keep coming back time and time again even though you thought you had moved on in your life and forgotten about it?
- Do you feel called to give more, to be more?
- Does your relationship with God sustain you, enliven you, invigorate you in such a way that you want to share His Truth and Love with others?
- Do you desire to courageously and selflessly give all to Christ, to cast out into the deep and follow Him, wherever He calls you?
- Do you long for more than what “the world” teaches us to strive for – money, sensuality, power, self-indulgence and comfort at any cost?
- Do you have a sneaking suspicion that you are on the brink of a major life decision?
- Are you afraid to tell friends and family that you are thinking about priesthood?
- Does the idea of becoming a priest attract you and at the same time frighten you because you feel “unworthy?”
- Have you ever felt your heart move as a priest celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and thought what it would be like to stand at his place at the altar?
- Have others encouraged you to consider priesthood?
Adapted in part from “Vocations Anonymous Test” reprinted from Vocations Anonymous: A Handbook for Adults Discerning Priesthood and Religious Life by Sister Kathleen Bryant, RSC, published by NCCV, 1603 S. Michigan Avenue, #400, Chicago, IL 60616, 1-800-671-NCCV, ©