Seized by Christ

They are experiencing Christianity as joy and hope, having thus become lovers of Christ.

Category: Personal Discernment

  • From christian to Christian: The Heart of Vocations

    Vocations start with knowing Christ — the decisive question every Catholic must face

    Introduction

    In our previous blogs, we examined priestly vocations first through statistics, then through seven questions from Catholic to consecrated vocation. But even those questions assume something deeper: a man must already know Christ to respond faithfully. Without that encounter, the questions remain unanswered, the call unnoticed.

    This is where Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) offers a decisive lens for understanding vocations and Christian life itself. He asks:

    Have you experienced an event or person which gives life a new horizon, and a decisive direction? Do you experience it as joy and hope? Are you inwardly seized by Christianity, and have you become a lover of Christ?

    This is the question behind all vocations. Many Catholic men do not pursue the priesthood, not because of celibacy or rules, but because they have never fully experienced Christ in this way.

    The Core Reality

    A vocation is not primarily about a career path, a calling to serve a group, or a set of obligations. It is about responding to a personal encounter with Christ.

    • If a man has not experienced this decisive horizon in his life, celibacy will always seem like an obstacle.
    • If a man does not trust God with his life, obedience to a religious community will feel impossible.
    • If a man does not recognize the presence of Christ in others, service will seem burdensome.

    In other words, the foundation of all vocations is being seized by Christ Himself. All the statistical analyses, discernment questions, and organizational structures build on this first encounter. Without it, the rest is form without life.

    Creating Environments for Encounter

    This insight also shows what the Church can do to support vocations: create spaces and experiences where people can meet Christ personally. This is not just about instruction, programs, or prayer for vocations — it is about real-life encounters, mentorship, and communities where faith comes alive.

    As I have often reflected: when I pray for more workers in the harvest, God often shows me what I can do to move things forward. We cannot simply hope for miracles; we can build environments that foster encounter, trust, and spiritual growth.

    Conclusion

    The question for vocations — and for Christian living — is not primarily about celibacy, obedience, or even statistics. It is about Christ taking hold of a person’s life.

    Without that encounter, no numbers, programs, or rules will generate vocations. With it, even one man saying “yes” can change countless lives.

    Vocations begin at the heart, and the heart begins with Christ.

    Developed with assistance from ChatGPT-5

  • Seven Questions from Catholic to Consecrated Vocation

    From possibility to discernment — a practical guide for those considering priesthood or consecrated life

    Introduction: From Coin Toss to Questions

    In our last reflection, we looked at priestly vocations through the lens of statistics. With one diocesan priest for every 3,000 Catholic men, vocations today can seem almost miraculous — like flipping twelve coins and getting heads every time.

    But what if we replaced those twelve coins with seven questions? Questions that, if answered honestly and faithfully, could help a man discern whether he is called to a consecrated vocation. This approach moves from mere probability to spiritual discernment, from abstract numbers to personal reflection.

    The Seven Questions from Catholic to Consecrated Vocation

    1. Grace

    • Are you being honest with yourself?
    • Are you committed to putting God’s will first?
    • Do you trust God’s providence for your future?
    • Are you aware that those who give all for Christ will bear much fruit and be rewarded with joy and peace?

    2. Vocation Fit

    • Is there an organization or charism that complements your perceived vocation or interests?
    • Could you see yourself participating fully and happily in that community?

    3. Trust

    • Are you comfortable that the group is faithful to Church teaching, transparent, and well-governed?
    • Can you entrust your future obedience to this group with confidence?

    4. Celibacy

    • Are you willing to accept celibacy as a sign of trust and commitment to God?
    • Do you recognize the benefits of consecrated celibacy over marriage within this vocation?
    • Could your vocation be fulfilled outside a celibate life?
    • Would marriage prevent you from living this vocation fully?
    • Do you believe that, by God’s grace, a person can sacrifice personal benefit for God’s plan?

    5. Service

    • Do you understand the importance of the presence of consecrated religious for the well-being of families, the Church, and the salvation of souls?
    • Is the vocational need significant enough to justify the sacrifices required?
    • Are you aware that Christ is present in each person you will serve?

    6. Compatibility

    • Will consecration to this group allow you to achieve your broader vocation?
    • Will the group allow flexibility as your vocation evolves with your faith?

    7. Timing

    • Do you believe God is calling you now, or might the call come at a later time?

    Reflection

    Most of the stumbling blocks I’ve observed are not about rules or regulations, but trust in God. Many men hesitate to surrender personal freedom — especially sexuality — because they do not truly know God or experience His providence in their lives.

    In reality, this is the same reason many do not fully live as Christians in the first place. Cardinal Ratzinger phrased it poignantly:

    Have you experienced an event or person which gives life a new horizon, and a decisive direction? Do you experience it as joy and hope? Are you inwardly seized by Christianity, and have you become a lover of Christ?

    Vocations grow from a foundation of encounter with Christ. Without that, no set of questions, rules, or statistics can bear fruit.

    Conclusion

    By replacing the coin tosses with these seven questions, we can move from seeing vocations as statistical miracles to seeing them as discernible possibilities. But the first and most important step is always the same: knowing Christ and trusting Him with your life.

    Developed with assistance from ChatGPT-5