www.vocation.com - People keep telling me that they think I should become

	Christina asks: I recently began discerning a vocation to the religious life after a priest suggested that I do so (the thought has crossed my mind several times but I quickly laughed it off and pushed it away). Since then I have told a few people and about 90% of them have responded with "I'm not surprised". I talked with my priest about this and he said he mentioned it because he saw some signs of a possible vocation, and obviously if all these people whom I have told responded in that way...what are these signs that they are seeing? And, do you think that because I pushed the idea of religious life out of my mind so many times, God has sent this priest to my parish to foster this possible vocation?
	Dear Christina, I don't know exactly what the people who spoke to you may have noticed in you, but some of the things that make me think someone may have a vocation is when I see that they have, as well as the normal health, intelligence and verve of a young person, a greater spiritual sensitivity and a disposition towards service. There is no doubt in my mind that if you do have a vocation, the fact that this priest came to your parish is part of God's providence at work in your life to help you realize it. At least I think you should now consider the vocation more seriously; ask his advice about what form of consecrated life he would suggest to you now that he knows you more, and start speaking to Christ about it in prayer. Think of what it is to consecrate your life to Christ, and to spend your life bringing others to know him. Talk over with him the value of your life, of time, and what you would like to be able to give him at the end of your life. God bless,


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