Discernment of God’s call is a process of putting ourselves in the presence of God over a period of time in prayer, so that we can be motivated by Grace, God’s divine assistance.

We cannot take a test to see if we have the skills for priesthood.

Being a priest or being married requires grace from God to be able to perform the needed lifestyle. If we do not have grace then we will not be able to be married or be a priest simply by willing ourselves through the actions. At some point we will tire and stop.

So the key in discernment is being able to see if our motivation comes from ourselves or by ourselves imbued with grace. To determine this requires prayer, time, and action.

This is why the setting of the seminary is so important.

It is in the seminary that one can start to take on the habits needed in priesthood. Living in the daily habits of morning and evening prayer, Mass, adoration, academics and recreation joined with working with the staff and faculty will help a man to determine if the man is graced in the life state or if he needs to continue to search God’s call in another state of life.

“He must increase but I must decrease.” (John 3:30)