Take the discernment "test"

After spending time in prayer and reflection, asking the Lord what His will is for you, it can sometimes be helpful to "gauge" where you are in regards to your readiness for the seminary. While this is certainly not an exhaustive list, nor meant to be the final word on the matter, perhaps these questions might help you in that process.

On each of the twenty questions below, rate yourself on a scale from 0-5. A rating of 0 means you do not possess the stated sign at all. A 5 indicates that this sign is very evident in your life. The highest possible score is 100, so the closer you are to that number, the more prepared you may be for the seminary. Be completely honest with your answers. If you would like to follow up this discernment exercise by having a discussion with the Vocation Director, please feel free to contact Fr. Ivany...he would be more than happy to help you discern the meaning of your answers.

______ 1. I love Jesus Christ and I have a thirst to bring Jesus and His teaching to the world.

______ 2. I am endeavoring to be a believing, practicing Catholic.

______ 3. I am trying to live a life of prayer and I desire a life of prayer.

______ 4. I am trying to serve others and I desire a life of service to others.

______ 5. I feel a desire to be a priest, though it is sometimes stronger than at other times.

______ 6. Others tell me that I should be a priest or that I would make a good priest.

______ 7. Prayerful reading of Sacred Scripture leads me to believe I might be called to be a priest.

______ 8. I am endeavoring to live virtuously.

______ 9. I like to be around people and I have sufficient social skills to engage others.

______ 10. I have enough intelligence to complete graduate-level coursework and function as a priest.

______ 11. I think I have the physical, emotional, and psychological stability to become a priest.

______ 12. I am joyful and I have a good sense of humor.

______ 13. I think that I have a “priest’s heart,” a heart with kindness and compassion for others.

______ 14. I believe that I have the self-mastery to be a man of prayer and leadership.

______ 15. Generally speaking, I have demonstrated stability in my life.

______ 16. People who know me would say I am a Christian gentleman.

______ 17. I have had events happen in my life that seem to be signs pointing towards the priesthood.

______ 18. I am usually able to accept both success and failure without losing hope.

______ 19. I believe that I have a healthy psycho-sexual development and orientation.

______ 20. I am trying to be truly open to the will of God for my life.

* This discernment instrument is drawn from To Save a Thousand Souls: A Guide for Discerning a Vocation to Diocesan Priesthood by Fr. Brett Brannen.