Do you believe that the Lord is calling you to do something with your life to help build up the kingdom of God? Do you believe that calling is to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ? Here are a few words of advice.

Simply relax…just take a step and begin to get involved; start with your own parish. Become an active, participating member of your parish community, attending Mass and receiving the Eucharist frequently. Begin to fashion how you live your life according to the Beatitudes. All of us have our own extraordinary talents; share them with others.

Open up the conversation…talk to your pastor or a priest you feel comfortable with sharing the movements of your own heart and chat with them about what you are experiencing in your life. Join a prayer group that brings people who are experiencing something similar together so that you begin to see, you are not alone in your experiences.

Look for resources…many times, your Diocesan Vocations office website lists other sites that may be helpful for those discerning a call from the Lord. There are plenty of resources on the internet and support is available. Don’t be frightened to call the Vocations Office and speak with the Vocation Director. A phone conversation or talking over lunch does not mean that you are signing up for the seminary!

Finally, pray! Continue to bring your experience to prayer. Sit before the Blessed Sacrament and ask the Lord to show you what He wants you to do with your life. He will reveal the answer to you. However, it may take a little time, so do not get discouraged if you do not hear back from Him immediately. Everything happens in due time. Be patient.

For the next few posts, Whispers of the Spirit introduces a series on the role of the family in vocations. All vocations grow in silence. When young men are considering the priesthood, the first people they tell are their family members and the people they trust the most. It is the duty and responsibility of the family unit to support and encourage their children to follow the Lord’s call.