The word discernment comes from a Latin word meaning “to sift apart”. When we discern, we try to “sift apart” different possibilities in the hopes of finding the one that is most positive and life giving. The discipline and practice of discernment can happen on a variety of levels and in different circumstances (i.e. trying to determine which college to attend, discerning between different job possibilities or possible areas to move to).
For our purposes here we are focusing on discernment in terms of life vocation and specifically the possibility of a vocation to service within the Catholic Church as a priest, religious sister or brother, or a permanent deacon. In this context there are some specific things to keep in mind regarding discernment.
Here are some tried and true aids to help in discernment.
Discernment is an aspect of any true life of faith. Through discernment we come to know the amazing truth that God is indeed involved in our lives and that God wants nothing but the best for us.
The Diocesan Discernment Program is an opportunity for men who are open to the possibility of discerning the vocation of Catholic priesthood to gather on a monthly basis for discussion, prayer and reflection. The program is for men who are in college, young adult and older men, and also juniors and seniors in high school. The monthly Discernment Days of Reflection take place on a Saturday (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) in the Knoxville area. The program normally runs on an academic year schedule (beginning around August and concluding around May).
In addition to the monthly gatherings, men in the program are encouraged to
During the course of the program, participants also have opportunities to visit seminaries and experience seminary life to help in their continuing discernment.
Below are the topics discussed at the monthly Discernment Group gatherings:
A weekend diocesan discernment retreat is also held every year.
Participants in the discernment program are encouraged to take part in the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. (The discernment group joins with other groups from our diocese to attend the march.)