Discerning Your Vocation

I've been thinking about vocations lately--about the mysterious process of discerning, and how would I feel of one of my children were called to religious life, and how does one really know their choice is the right one, and about how many people there are who would firmly declare themselves t0 be Catholic, but don't even ask themselves the question, and I'm reading a piece of McInerny fiction where a number of people seem to have chosen poorly, and what am I supposed to do as a parent, and gee, those Dominican Sisters sure seemed to be happy (despite the fact that their choice is so very different than the one that has made me happy), and I have a number of young friends who are in the process of discernment right now. So, yes, I've been thinking about vocations lately.

I don't have too many answers, except the Catechism tells me that parents should encourage the vocation that is proper to each of their children, "fostering with special care any religious vocations," but it also emphatically states that adult children have the right and duty to choose for themselves and it then becomes a parent's duty to give advice and then respect their choices (which is a polite way of saying something that could be summed up in two words - butt out).

I also found this recent post with lots of really sound advice about the process of discernment and reminders that God will let you know His plan in His own time, when He thinks you're ready to hear it. Until then, pay attention to what God is calling you to do today.

Anyway, if you have any other great links on the topic, be sure to share them with us.

Thanks for listening, and keep praying for an increase in vocations.