Holy Orders & Religious Life
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” “Here I am,” I said; “send me!”
Isaiah 6:8
Prayer for Vocations
Almighty Father,
You have created us for some definite purpose. Grant us the grace to know the path You have planned for us in this life and to respond with a generous “Yes.” Make our archdiocese, parishes, homes, and hearts fruitful ground for Your gift of vocations. May our young people respond to Your call with courage and zeal. Stir among our men a desire and the strength to be good and holy priests. Bless us with the consecrated religious, and those called to a chaste single life, permanent deacons and faithful husbands and wives, who are a sign of Christ’s love for His church. We commend our prayer for vocations to You, Father, with the intercession of Mary our Mother, in the Holy Spirit, through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Pray
Deepen your prayer life. Spend time with the Lord in Adoration. Ask God for guidance, and learn how He speaks to you and His calling for your life.
Talk
Discernment is not done in isolation— talk to others! Ask those closest to you if they think it would be a good fit. Talk to a spiritual director or vocations director. Ask for advice or guidance on where or how you might be called.
Steps in Discernment
Know Yourself
What are you good at? How do you use your gifts to serve? What do I want? God speaks in our humanity and wants you to be happy- the call He has given you will reflect this.
Act
Make a decision! Reach out to different orders, submit an inquiry, or go on a vocation retreat. Take the next best step to discern where you are called— you don't need to be 100% certain!
Research
Research different Catholic spiritualities and orders. Find a charism that you enjoy. Look at the way of life. Imagine what it might look like to live as a religious.
Discernment Videos
Vocations & Discernment Resources
Use these resources as a starting point to learn more about discerning your vocation.
Active vs. Contemplative Life
All religious seek to grow closer to the Lord and serve his community. However, how that looks might differ from order to order. Orders are typically either "active" or "contemplative" (monastic)
Active Orders
Active orders live out their service in the world, often through teaching, nursing, or serving the poor.
- Dominicans (Order of Preachers)
- Franciscan Friars (Order of Friars Minor)
- Sisters of Charity
- Ursulines
- Marianists
Contemplative Orders
Contemplatives focus on a life of hidden prayer, silence, and solitude within a monastery, offering their lives for the salvation of the world.
- Poor Clares
- Trappists (Cistercians)
- Carmelite Nuns
- Carthusians
- Visitandines
Mount St. Mary's Seminary
Interested in the priesthood or diaconate? Mount St. Mary is the heart for formation for men in the archdiocese. Reach out to their vocation director or schedule a visit.