On the Way to Discernment with Viatorian Vocations Discernment is a tricky mix. While God calls all of us to holiness through our baptism, God also has an individual invitation that each of us must explore – whether to single, married or religious life, whether specifically to ministry or another career. We strive to support everyone in navigating all aspects of this.
Personally Good personal prayer habits are the core of discernment. Find what works for you: saying rosaries, novenas or chaplets; utilizing the Liturgy of the Hours; practicing lectio divina with the Bible; nature walks or hikes; and more. Incorporate a Our new podcast is an accessible way to bring journaling practice, Viatorian conversations wherever you go – whether through an access episodes via Viatorian social media or our website. app or with pen and paper. Turn to the sacraments, perhaps by attending daily Mass, praying in Eucharistic Adoration, or going to reconciliation regularly. We recommend incorporating Viatorian prayer videos, like our Taizé prayer services. Seasonal devotions like the Stations of the Cross video by our Bourbonnais/Kankakee region can augment your devotion. Videos exploring vocations from a Viatorian perspective (found on our vocations pages at Viatorians.com) can offer fresh foundations for reflection, and our new Viatorian Voices podcast gives you different perspectives into Viatorian ministry and community life.
Communally When you’re comfortable, bring up your explorations in conversations. Even if you don’t go into detail, sharing where you’re at can help you gain ownership and help others understand. Seek out faith-based discussions through your parish or social circles. And definitely carry your discernment into Sunday Mass and other communal prayer experiences. Teens, young adult leaders, and adults gather together for Mass at a Viatorian Youth Congress.
Also, plug into your Viatorian communities – share your
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discernment with Viatorian priests, brothers, associates and pastoral staff. See if they have any referrals or suggestions. For example, Saint Viator High School offers its graduates the AlumniConnect platform to network and build supportive connections. Vocation Ministry includes Young Adult Ministry, gatherings and programs aimed at fostering faith formation among college-aged and post-grad young adults. One offering is our monthly discernment gatherings on the last Thursday of each month to help young adults explore various aspects of their discernment.
Formally Those discerning an invitation to Viatorian association, religious life with a women’s community, or priesthood with a diocese or another religious community are certainly encouraged to discern through our vocation ministry – we will walk with you as best we can and invite in the proper Viatorians or outside ministers to further your discernment.
Br. John Eustice, CSV, Director of Vocation Ministry, with Sr. Magdalena Grymuza, MSF and members of Young Adult Ministry Kankakee.
Particularly for those discerning priesthood or religious life, a more formal approach is eventually needed. Finding and regularly seeing a spiritual director invites another professional, pastoral voice into the discernment process. Informing a vocation director of your potential invitation from God helps set the terms for a more serious exploration. Those discerning God’s invitation to Viatorian religious life should establish contact with the Director of Vocation Ministry to set a regular frequency of conversation. He will offer some basic structure to explore the most important and most relevant areas of discernment, and, when appropriate, counsel you on potentially applying for formation. Whatever your path, send an email, a social media DM, or make a phone call or visit to a Viatorian and start a conversation. We’ll walk together on the way
