Will you answer God's call?
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Understanding Discernment with the Four DimensionsThe current faculty of Saint Paul Seminary provides and overview of discernment as well as a brief introduction into the four dimensions of formation.
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Discernment
Discernment, at its core, is the exploration of God’s will in your life. Within seminary a man is given the opportunity to openly and freely explore his vocation, considering whether God is indeed leading one to the priesthood. This time is not simply a passive searching for God’s will, but actively pursuing it.
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Spiritual Dimension
The Spiritual dimension of one who is discerning should be the foundation of their life. Authentically, this should be centered on the Eucharist, Catholic moral teaching and Tradition directing one to a deeper level of holiness. Other devotions in the Church, such as: Liturgy of the Hours, the Rosary, Stations of the Cross, Adoration and the Divine Mercy Chaplet are incredibly helpful for men discerning a vocation within the Church. Father Steve Neff offers his overview of the spiritual dimension of discernment. To hear Fr. Steve please Click Here .
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Human Dimension
Discernment does not happen in a vacuum, but in the context of a community. Discerners should have healthy relationships with their friends, family, peers and superiors. The human dimension of formation does not expect men to be super-humans, but authentic men who get enough rest, exercise on a regular basis, and address any ongoing physical or psychological needs. Discerners should understand that God calls the whole man, spirit soul and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23) to be a good steward of the gifts God has given them so as to effectively serve God’s people. Father Tom Sparacino reflects on his view of what a discerner should do to shape himself as a whole man. To watch his video reflection please Click Here
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Intellectual Dimension
Since God is the author of all things, it is important for a discerner to have knowledge of the truths of the world. Seminarians approach this knowledge through the study of philosophy and theology in their time in seminary. For men discerning, it is not necessary to have a degree in these areas of study, but that does not mean that they should be ignorant of these subjects. It is prudent for men considering a vocation to immerse themselves in the Catholic intellectual tradition as much as they are able. This will not only help them have a more authentic discernment, but also help them grow in their knowledge and love of the Lord. In this video Father Mike Ackerman discusses what intellectual formation looks like in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Click Here
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Pastoral Dimension
God constantly sends His people on mission. We not only see this from the beginning of time in the pages of Sacred Scripture, but it is also our lived experience at the end of every celebration of the Holy Mass. The purpose of discernment is not exclusively inward, but requires an outward focus in as much as it brings others to Christ. Discerners should participate in this mission as much as they are able. This primarily takes place within the context of his parish, in which a discerner communicates with their pastor their desire to contribute to the missionary aspect of the Church. This can take the form of participating in the liturgy, volunteering at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen, assisting with RCIA, bringing Communion to the sick or homebound and more. In this video, Sister Cindy Kibler, SHS reflects on her thoughts of the Pastoral Dimension for those discerning. Click Here
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Discernment Videos from the Archieves
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Fr. Joe Freedy
During his time as the Director of the Office for Priestly Vocations, Fr. Joe was able to produce several videos that answered the common questions he encountered during his journey with men discerning a call to priesthood. These videos are listed in the righthand column. Although they were filmed serval years ago, the information and guidance they provide is still timely and valuable.
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