Lent and Discernment 2019

     Lent can be an ideal time for discerning your call to become a Glenmary priest or brother.

   In his Lenten message, Pope Francis said that through the practices of prayer, fasting and alms-giving, we can "rediscover the joy of God’s plan for creation and for each of us, which is to love him, our brothers and sisters, and the entire world, and to find in this love our true happiness"

     40 days in the desert may lead us to places we do not know. 40 days in the desert can be a lonely time. But 40 days in the desert can also be a time to: help us deepen our faith, shed the unnecessary and convert our hearts. And give us 40 days to reflect on the question, "who am I called to be?" 

     Finding God's love for us and recognizing our love for him is the path to our true happiness. Passing through the unknown and making it known is a way of recognizing the sin in our life and turning it over to God. God's mercy will be there for us. In the loneliness we may sense doubts about our call but those could be the test of the devil leading us further away from our call and from finding happiness. Talking with a priest, brother or spiritual director about our doubts will help us to overcome the despair we sense and lead us to find joy in our journey.

     God is calling you to love him and to share his love with others. One of the best ways that you could do that is as a Glenmary priest or brother. Pray about it, turn it over to God, let go of the doubts that are holding you back, and be open to the conversion that will lead you closer to God. There you find who you are called to become and find true happiness.