Discernment through consecration

Abstract

The Catholic Church faces a critical shortage of vocations, whereby it lacks available resources to evangelise and welcome others into a vibrant, resource-abundant ecclesial community. Meanwhile, young adults today tend to commit to vocations later, leaving a gap during which they remain uncommitted to a particular vocation, yet skilled, capable, and energetic. The current emphasis on increasing vocations seems to be through social media and advertisements, while Church teachings offer valuable insight into the process by which reflects on their inner life to make decisions. Yet, vocations remain scarce. Here, we propose a path towards authentic discernment based on John Paul II’s 1996 Apostolic Exhortation, Vita Consecrata. We suggest that young adults engage in a daily offering of both interior and exterior acts of love, strengthening their relationship with the Lord, fulfilling the universal vocation to love, and preparing them to hear the Lord’s call.