Common questions about vocations

Yes, God loves you personally and intimately through Jesus in the Holy Spirit. God has a plan in which you can best love and serve the Lord.

In a Catholic context, there are primary vocations for how each of us are called to love. We receive our primary vocation to grow as priests, prophets and kings/queens of Jesus through our baptism. Within this universal call to holiness, most Catholics are called to the vocation of marriage (and some as parents). Some are called to the diaconate. Still others are called to love through priesthood or religious life (for women and men).

Vocations are the fundamental ways we are asked to love, and include lifelong commitments or promises. From this basic lifestyle, we work different jobs/careers such as doctors, pastors, principals, etc. Our vocation is who we are; jobs/careers are what we do.

First, ask God regularly what your vocation is and pray for guidance and insight. Secondly, ask Jesus to be part of major decisions in your life, being attentive to the fruit of the Spirit (joy, peace, gratitude, etc.) to make sure what you desire is what God desires. Third, ask those you trust and respect (including your pastor) who live different vocations (married, religious, priests, deacons) about the blessings and challenges of their vocation. Ask them for guidance as to how they think God might be asking you to love.

Fr. Justin Ryan, Director of Vocations is here to help you discern your primary vocation, to specifically work with those interested in diocesan priesthood in the Archdiocese of Seattle, and to refer others to diaconate formation and religious life options in our area, as well as to connect those called to married life to the Office of Marriage and Family.

Fr. Ryan also provides ongoing formation and resources for our seminarians studying for the Archdiocese of Seattle.