| “Dear young people: Do not be afraid of Christ. He takes nothing away, and He gives you everything. When we give ourselves to Him, we receive a hundredfold in return.” -Pope Benedict XVI | ||
| Practical Ways of Discerning Discernment requires asking God what will make you happy. People faithfully discern God's will by bringing Him in the decision through: Prayer: Prayer, especially in the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Praying the Rosary, staying in touch with Our Lady, whose total surrender to God is a model for all followers of Christ. Sacraments: Reception of the sacraments of penance and the Eucharist, which clear the mind and heart of barriers to hearing God. Counsel: Seek counsel from people you trust: parents, priests, Brothers or Sisters. Get spiritual direction from someone trained to do so. Silence: Being with God in silence in parts of our daily life and on periodic retreats. Decision: Avoid conflicting decisions (e.g., one cannot faithfully discern a call to consecrated life or priesthood while discerning married life in an exclusive dating relationship). Visit: If God may be calling you to priesthood or Religious life, get information on the life and the Orders you may be interested in. Visit a convent or seminary: You do not know what you are saying yes or no to unless you go and see. Trust: Above all, trust that your happiness is God's desire. Resources regarding Vocations for Men: The Diaconate: In the Catholic Church, the diaconate is the first of three ranks in ordained ministry. Deacons preparing for the priesthood are transitional deacons. Those not planning to be ordained priests are called permanent deacons. Married men may be ordained permanent deacons, and single men may be ordained with a commitment to celibacy. http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/diaconate/ Priesthood: "The Church continues to place the highest value on the work of priestly formation, because it is linked to the very mission of the Church, especially the evangelization of humanity: "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations" (Mt 28:19). http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/discerning-men/ The Catholic Priesthood http://youtu.be/3FbL7eFJGdQ Fishers of Men from Serra Boston on Vimeo. |
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The Archdiocese of Hartford welcomes inquiries from young men seeking to serve the Church as priests. We also would like to help direct those men and women in discerning a vocation in the consecrated life as a religious sister or brother.
God is calling men to the priesthood. Are you one of them? The noise and distractions of our culture can cause a spiritual deafness. The Office of Vocations would like to help you hear God’s voice and discern His will for your life. If you think God is calling you the time to act is now!
To talk about a priestly vocation, contact
For information about religious life and men’s and women’s religious communities, contact
Office for Religious
Vicar for Religious: Sister Mariette Moan, A.S.C.J.
Secretary: Theresa Hatfield
467 Bloomfield Avenue
Bloomfield, CT 06002-2999
860-541-6491
For those seeking information about the diaconate, contact
Deacon Robert Pallotti, Director of the Office of the Diaconate
860-242-5573 ext 7447.