Vocation Anonymous

While I was searching for the book title "Vocation" on Google, it kept changing my search or "suggesting" that I search for "vacation" instead. Surely that is what society seems to want for us, that we take the easy way out and just go on a vacation instead of pursuing the difficult challenge of finding where I am being called and what is my vocation? But for those of us who have felt a calling from God to be something more we can not just take a vacation, we must respond to that call.
I highly recommend the book Vocation Anonymous book for everyone who is discerning their vocation! Really this book can be for anyone because we are all discerning something in our life? And this guide has plenty of reflection questions to help discern those difficult decisions. But this book was written especially for those who discerning a vocation to the religious life, Sr. Kathleen Bryant, RSC, D. Min. has compiled a complete guide to the steps of discernment. Some of these steps include; the questioning, the searching, the doubting, the applying and much more.

I think most discerners will find the complete book helpful to read and refer to during their vocation discernment process. If you are unsure if this book is for you, try taking the following test that Sr. Kathleen includes in the opening chapter of this book.

■ Do you hide vocation literature so no one will see you have it?
■ Does the idea of becoming a brother, sister, or priest keeping coming back time and time again?
■ Do you feel called to give more or be more?
■ Does your relationship with God sustain you in such a way that you want to share the Good News with others?
■ Do you find your weekly ministry more life-giving and energizing than your 40-hour work week?
■ Do you long for “MORE”?
■ Do you have a sneaking suspicion that you are on the brink of a major life decision?
■ Are you afraid to tell friends and family that you are thinking about a Church vocation?
■ Does the Idea of becoming a priest or religious excite you and at the same time frighten you because you feel unworthy?

If you answer "yes" to 2 or more questions then this book certainly needs to be added to your reading list and you can give me a call at the Glenmary Vocation office to discuss other questions about your vocation.