Discerning a Vocation as a Catholic | Fr. Ambrose

Fr. Ambrose shares his advice on discerning the priesthood and religious life.
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0:00 The Church Decides
1:20 Misconceptions about Vocations
4:10 What is a Vocation Then?
4:55 Discerning a Vocation
7:27 When Discernment Really Begins
8:52 Concrete Steps Forward
10:30 The Best Advice
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#stmichaelsabbey #catholic #priest #priesthood #catholicpriest #vocations
Father Ambrose explains how to know if you have a vocation to the priesthood or religious life in this video by the Norbertines of St. Michaels Abbey
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[@enamulhaquefahim4924]

I'm a Muslim and I'm planning to convert to Catholicism this year but I won't be a priest I mean if everyone is aiming to be Peter and paul then who will be David and Solomon. I want to serve the Lord within my position and with everything I have, He has given me hope and a new life sadly there is nothing in this world and in my power to repay His favour and blessings that he bestows upon me 😢 please everyone pray for me pray so that I may convert and serve Him with all I have and to the last day of my life ❤

[@brickclimber]

amen, come on over brother!

[@talkcommonsense]

Amen...

[@rosarycall6153]

Jesus is ever present with you. Live in Him love Him and follow His commandments and pray the Rosary . Our Blessed Mother will assist you 🙏❤

[@dianekhoury5842]

Welcome home ✝️

[@minerva277]

Amen!

[@RobLewis3]

Thanks Fr Ambrose. Praying for you and all at St Michael's

[@greenshp]

Wonderful talk, Father. Thank you.

[@st.michaelsabbey]

Thanks for listening

[@francisobi6851]

Thank you fathers. I am currently discerning a Norbertine Vocation, and recently discussed it with Fr. Vianney, grateful for you all!

[@DrStrange1000]

God bless you 🙏🏼✝️

[@rudyb291]

I also have a friend who is doing the same thing, and he's been accepted!

[@hotspot930]

I experienced this calling when I was in high school, and now that I’m married, my calling is still strong. I am considering entering the Permanent Diaconate. Every time I meditate on the living words of Christ, I feel peace, and I sense the strong presence of the Holy Spirit. There are moments when my mind seems guided by the Holy Spirit, and to my surprise, I find myself reciting prayers that surpass my imagination. Please pray for me. 🙏🏻

[@tmiller7004]

Prayers up for you, your vocation, and your family!

[@user-wv3kc5nf1f]

God is indeed calling me for religious life. Thank you Fr God bless you abundantly 🙏🙏

[@jimvermeer9451]

I am 50 and I want to serve my Lord I prayed for what direction I need to go. I did that for 3 years. I tried to get involved with the Franscians and other orders but unfortunately my age is the problem. But I am very involved with my church and I pray allot for others and helping those in need. Sometimes simple vocations pleases Jesus the most. God's will is that I am close with Jesus Christ my spouse and this is his Will for me. ❤

[@javiermurillo3561]

some communitieswill accept late vocations. Put your life in God's hands and sail forth!

[@WcongoB]

In deep mental prayer I have heard the lord call to me to serve him I am young but sooner I will see where God will take me If it is priesthood then hallelujah

[@samfunk8467]

Thank you for this video this has been weighing heavily on my heart please pray for me

[@oakleyman217]

I’m amazed with how well these videos are produced. Great job!

[@DrStrange1000]

They are excellent

[@gratefuljoy24]

Thank you for this Fr. Ambrose 😊 Please pray for me to answer God's call to a consecrated life. God bless the Norbertines 🙏🏼

[@dovie2blue]

Such an awesome order!!

[@sarahelen1877]

Ha sido tan hermoso este video de discernimiento que no puedo escribirlo en inglés (mi idioma es el español), no encuentro palabras; Dios y Nuestra Madre Santísima nos ayuden a saber si este llamado que algunos sentimos termine en un matrimonio con Él. Por más vocaciones sacerdotales y religiosas en el mundo, thank you so much for this video, many blessings for you all 🙏🙏❤

[@mazikode]

Thank you Fr Ambrose, I am doing the fast and its beautiful. Thank you and God bless you and all at St Michaels Abbey.

[@Ellie-zm1jp]

Just came back from visiting Benedictines of Mary for a whole week! Thanks Father!!

[@beatrizgs6]

Wow, what a beautiful video 💖

[@st.michaelsabbey]

Thank you so much!

[@channelofblessings888]

Happy to be here. God bless you more Father 😍

[@slapshot601]

I’m currently discerning my vocation into the priesthood. I’m basically 100% sure that Christ is calling me. I’m SO attracted to the life of the Priest. My only discouragement and concern is my tattoos.. I have a few visible ones (although none of them are vulgar in nature), and tattoo removal would put me in so much debt. I also have a semi-recent car loan that I’m trying to pay off. I wish I would’ve pursued my vocation years ago. But, I’m praying that these things don’t stop me.

[@ferdinandgogo]

You dont have to get rid of your tattoos. They are part of you and your story. Dont let that stop you. God bless you!

[@christophersalinas2722]

technically there is no ban for priests with tats. However if they are visible there may be an issue depending on your diocese.

[@slapshot601]

@@ferdinandgogo Some prayers would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your kind words.

[@slapshot601]

@@christophersalinas2722 I heard! I feel like no matter where I go online to look for answers, I get such a mix. I’m just waiting to hear back from the Vocations Director of my diocese, and hopefully I’ll get some clarity then. Thank you for the insight, brother!

[@christophersalinas2722]

@@slapshot601 I pray that you will one day be ordained.

[@user-ng2pn6es8h]

I am a sinner above 30 years, I want to become a Catholic preacher. Amen 🙏🙏🙏

[@DrStrange1000]

As you have humbled yourself, you will be exalted brother. God bless you 🙏🏼

[@ChicagoIL50]

Soon to be a Third Order Carmelite 🙏🏻

[@swashyhimself]

Another beautiful video

[@nathanngumi8467]

Word.

[@yolandasilverio1205]

Wonderful advise.

[@colsugarbottom3627]

I recommend going to Gabi After Hours youtube channel because he has some great videos on the Rosary (many are testimonies to miracles from it)

[@user-oo3un8bl8b]

Peace be with you all. This video is a good help. Im actually in the state of confusion in my life as I feel like I'm being called to become a consecrated person, but I'm confused coz what if I'm called for married life. And about the statement of Fr. Ambrose on singlehood actually hit me hard as I'm going through with it right now. & I'm afraid that I'm not worthy to be called. Pls pray for me in my discernment journey. Thanks. God bless everyone

[@FimiliarGalaxy9]

You know what I’ll go check out one of the seminaries or monasteries

[@isaaccampbell1519]

I would just like to say thank you for the blessing of your ministry. I am a teenager and a Anglican in the Church of England. But I feel a call to the Catholic Church and the priesthood. I really feel like Christ is pulling at my heart. But I am so scared. Please pray for me. Thank you so much. God bless.

[@user-uw8yg6in3j]

May God bless you!! If you want to chat about catholicism I can give you my contact!

[@isaaccampbell1519]

⁠@@user-uw8yg6in3jthank you so much. Yes, I have prayed for guidance. That would be really, really good and helpful.

[@ericdale4641]

I have been giving some thought to exploring a vocation for the priesthood. At the moment I am just mentally jotting down the pro's/con's of the idea. The pro's so far: 1) answers God's call to do more. 2) I am confident that I could do the graduate level work in seminary as I already have a law degree and have practiced law, 3) there's a need for priests, I could help. 4) Desire for holiness/grow in faith. 5) Desire to teach/educate/share/etc. Cons: 1) I could never marry or have children. 2) I'll be old for a seminarian as I'm already in my early 40's. 3) Other languages/alphabets would be a vulnerability as I haven't studied another language since high school. 4) I'm not even a cradle catholic. I RCIA'd in a number of years ago, so I would be doubling up on non traditional student. 5) Maybe I'm not called, maybe I'm just having mid life crises.

[@FiliusMariae2023]

Thank you for this enlightening video. Is there an age limit for a man to discern his vocation? You mention a few times «young men», but, is there an actual number, an age for a man to discern or to answer the call? May Gob bless you!

[@BARYOPS-re8pe]

It can be as early as junior high school up to 35yrs old

[@angrypotato1347]

We cannot put time limits and restrictions on God’s will! There are people who have had a sense of the call since before their First Holy Communion and people who realized it in their 40’s! The average age is usually around 18-35 but of course there are exceptions. Best thing to do is keep close to Mary and reach out to your priest! God bless.

[@christophersalinas2722]

different every diocese but it’s in the 30s and 40s. I think there’s an exception for those who already are permanent deacons

[@sebastientarieme6402]

What do you use to edit these incredible videos Father?

[@serenac6495]

So if you’re single, you don’t have neither a natural or supernatural vocation? Hard enough being single without now being told if you’re not aspiring to married or a religious life you haven’t a basic vocation. What then does that mean for people who are single, have they failed or have they somehow ‘missed’ their vocation?

[@christophersalinas2722]

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, in paragraph 1658, acknowledges the reality of the great number of single people who may be single not by their choosing but possibly by life circumstance and it reminds us to be mindful of them, inclusive and help them know that they are a part of the one family of God. There's nothing WRONG with being single, but it's still unclear whether it's constitutes a vocation. A vocation in the Catholic sense requires some sort of commitment. Single life is a default and one can potentially stop being single at any time. There's no commitment and unless you take private vows no one makes an official commitment to remaining single.

[@bethaniacounseling]

We all have a vocation to holiness. God can still have a very close relationship to you as a single person. We sometimes put limits and put people and God in boxes. I have met very holy single people living a life of holiness and service. I am very cautious about situations in which it is emphasized special status or cult of personality.

[@ChicagoIL50]

So vocation to the single life is with a small 'v'. We are all called to marriage in a spiritual way. Look into becoming a third order religious. That option to be married is still open and you serve the Lord at your best in this kind of way. Good luck

[@ursulabarreto2844]

St. Michael's Abbey seems like a very good place to form our future priests. I believe everything starts in each seminary. Why do some leaders at seminaries such as St. Mary Seminary here in Houston will suggest while been in the seminary for seminarians to go out and date. Wouldn't be more confusing for the seminarian and even worse if you are already in the seminary because they are dating God and preparing yourself to focus solo to God. Then, what happens to the seminarians who tried to get to know woman. Some woman are discussed because they think that seminarians should be focused in their formation to become a priest. And when women get to know a new seminarian whom she encounters with out the woman knowing he was in seminary and something unusual and awkward happens by the seminarian then the catholic community punishes not the seminarian but the woman. When the woman had always ignored the situation of any flirting. At the same time the seminarian will still tell the woman I really like you, it is so nice to see you and trying to get the woman's daily schedule. Even the same congregation suggesting a recently divorced woman "go and hug a seminarian because he might like you" Why is the church handling situations in the wrong manner destroying even families.

[@christophersalinas2722]

They seriously suggest at St Mary’s that seminarians DATE? Lord have mercy

[@zealousideal]

I’m in the opposite camp of most people. As I always wanted to be a priest or a religious since childhood, but I can’t. But as a protestant, I was a pastor for many years and loved every second of it. I was very good at it and had a strong anointing and calling and gifts. But I wish so bad that I could have been a priest or a monastic even more so. Oh well, It’s not God’s will for everyone to do that though I guess. Sigh 😔

[@dustash1578]

If you want to make your videos more beautiful, heres a tip about the music: the modern string stuff is overblown, just stick to chants, plain or polyphonic.

[@ireneirene9834]

What's the background music?name?

[@ericburchard-fl5ff]

For me it is the background music .what is the title

[@holeymcsockpuppet]

Ok. So I think I'm suffering from a wee bit of burnout. I read the title as "Do you have a vacation".

[@andrewbangs9073]

Teach us father how to discern God's will for us about what jobs or profession we are to take that he will bless us to be successful in it please, my life sucks now, im a lost sheep, i have no direction in life now,i quit my job because i don't like it in the first place, i was forced by my family to take it(college course) when i was still in high school, even if i don't like it. I mean i don't have a passion in it.

[@kineticmike5361]

It will be okay, Christ is beside us at every step, and he puts us through these challenges for a reason. Let God's will be done. There is no such thing as a singular right path or passion. All that matters is that you do something that you feel is valuable and productive, that is in line with your values as a person. All of us have some gifts, search within yourself and you will find some. Tap into those gifts on your next adventure, work very hard, and be a good person. With time this will serve you well, you will find satisfaction, and you will be okay - trust me

[@andrewbangs9073]

@@kineticmike5361 thanks a lot brother, God bless your soul 🙏

[@blankimolina]

God bless the Norbertines!

[@mishmash2478]

Beautifully said Father Ambrose...however, there are orders that will not be supportive of men struggling because feelings for women, or worse enact repercussions and shun the seminarian. Is that Christ lik?

[@msFilomena1]

Ask God. He will lead you you can trust in Him

[@adacathy3018]

😶😶😶what is the priest in confession told me to pray for my future husband when I came back to the church?😶😶😶

[@danielukalovic4693]

I think I have a vocation to be a priest, but I'm not sure. how can i find out. Can you help me? thank you very much.❤

[@christophersalinas2722]

contact your diocese vocations director

[@jonatikaWwe]

Great but what do you mean being single is not a vocation? What about consecrated virgins? Isn’t that thought to be the oldest vocation?

[@christophersalinas2722]

he mentioned consecrated celibacy

[@Sara-tl5jo]

Modern theology is not too keen on talking about "more" regarding religious or priesthood vocation, nor "special", or anything that underlines a difference... It insists on the same dignity and the several ministers ... At least here in Italy...

[@eoinMB3949]

But surely theres more choices than Marriage or the priesthood? I dont think im called to marriage and i dont think im called to the priesthood so where does that leave people like me? This is not talked about in the church at all, its assumed everyone wants to marry or become priests, theres no discussion around other choices. I find this frustrating to be honest because in the book of Jeremiah God says: "I know the plans i have for you they are plans for good and not for evil to give you a future and a hope". This is a promise of God yet most Catholics see life through the lens of marriage and if you dont get married thats automatically means youre to be a priest. Even the Catholic fellowship groups are built around this assumption. Theyre usually 18-30 but beyond that......nothing and the reason is its assumed by that stage youre married and having children or youre in the priesthood. This is madness because even a casual look around churches and congregations shows that there are more than a few people who are over 30, not married and not called to the priesthood. Id just like for there to be more discussion on options outside of these two

[@user-ll9mw5er4o]

Being a Brother

[@maltasweet1396]

There is Third Order, which are persons (married or not). As far as I know, there is Third Order Dominican, Carmelite and Franciscan

[@eoinMB3949]

@@maltasweet1396 That sounds perfect. I'll look into it

[@danielyoung5137]

I am a Benedictine oblate.l knew in my 40’s l wasn’t called as a priest, but l wanted to give God more of myself. That was about 30 years ago. I am grateful l was accepted as an Oblate at the nearest Benedictine Abbey to me.

[@christophersalinas2722]

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, in paragraph 1658, acknowledges the reality of the great number of single people who may be single not by their choosing but possibly by life circumstance and it reminds us to be mindful of them, inclusive and help them know that they are a part of the one family of God. There's nothing WRONG with being single, but it's still unclear whether it's constitutes a vocation. A vocation in the Catholic sense requires some sort of commitment. Single life is a default and one can potentially stop being single at any time. There's no commitment and unless you take private vows no one makes an official commitment to remaining single. You can be married, enter the monastic like, enter the priesthood, or remain “vocationless” (vocations require commitment) and be single your whole life.

[@lanbaode]

This vlogger’s is the old pre-Vatican II theology of vocation. It speaks of vocation to the presbyterate and religious life only. On the contrary, Vatican II emphasizes the vocation of the laity alongside that of priests and religious. We need a deeper awareness on the part of the 99% (laity) of Catholics that they have vocation (that is to love and serve God, his Church, and his people) and that it is not for the 1% (priests and religious) only. There should be a moratorium of media vocation campaigns that excludes the laity.

[@TotusTuus-jf7qz]

All are called to the perfection of the evangelical counsels, that is why religious life should be considered the default because our Lord Jesus Christ Himself recommended it and lived it. The universal call to the counsels is very strong post Vatican II, whether lived effectively in the religious or affectively in the lay state. St. Paul also considered celibacy as the default option for a Christian. Also in our tradition it is clear that many more should become religious. In my country (England) there are only a few hundred religious in the country; yet there should be 20 million since St. Alphonsus says that 1 in 3 are called to the religious life, but most people are intoxicated by the noise and vanity of this world and so do not dispose themselves to receive this great privilege. In short, if we are to imitate Christ, and Christ lived the religious life, how can religious life not be the starting point for a Christian? Although I agree that the laity are called to live these counsels and the same perfection and there must be greater awareness of that.

[@lanbaode]

@@TotusTuus-jf7qz Very Traditionalist, or I say Taliban, theology blind to the reality of the 99% who need models of holiness to duly respond to their call to missionary discipleship not patterned after the ordained or of the religious who make up only 1% of the baptized. I’d say there should be a moratorium now to beatifying or canonizing popes, bishops, priests, and religious. The 99% need more lay saints and blesseds as models. Definitely not the married couples who abstained from sexual relations like the parents of St. Therese. Not those who could go to daily Mass but those who found God in their daily mess of married and family life, work, social involvement (not only church service), and in this way evangelized and brought others closer to God. This view should be promoted in vocation campaigns emphasizing faithfulness in daily mess instead of daily Mass in answering God’s call.

[@TotusTuus-jf7qz]

@@lanbaode your idea of a moratorium is ridiculous How can be stop canonising people for living the counsels which our Lord Jesus Christ Himself told them to do? "Go and sell all that you have and give to the poor, and come, follow Me." "I would that all men were as I [celibate.]" "There are some who are eunuchs for the kingdom of Heaven." "I come not to do My own will, but the will of Him that sent me." And it seems it is you who have imbibed an anti-laity view because you think lay people are so STUPID that they can't read the life of St. Francis or St. Dominic or St. Therese and find anything there imitable or applicable to their own lives as lay persons, despite the fact they are called to live by the exact same virtues and are called to Christian perfection as well.

[@TotusTuus-jf7qz]

@@lanbaode daily Mass and daily mess aren't in opposition. Lay people can derive inspiration from religious Saints because they are called to the same holiness and the same virtues, and the same counsels. If you want to persuade people to your point of view, calling them Taliban seems inadvisable. Go and read Galatians about the fruits of the flesh vs the Spirit, I'm not sure this kind of online argumentation is a fruit of the Spirit.

[@lanbaode]

@@TotusTuus-jf7qz The 99% Catholics need to have more models of holiness from within their ranks. Married, single, nonordained priestly people, concerned with how to pay bills raising and educating children, generating income thru work or business, making all of these as living sacrifice of daily mess, not daily Mass which is just practically challenging for most of the 99% during their working years. There should be a moratorium of beatifications and canonizations of popes, bishops, priests, and religions who make up 99% of the saints while constituting only 1% of Church membership.

[@BobbyChastain]

How do you know of God is calling you to profess a third order?

[@maltasweet1396]

Third Order can be either a Dominican, Carmelite or Franciscan. Look in your neighborhood and see if there is a Third Order close to where you live. Each Third Order has a different charism. And it is usually that connection that harkens you to seek a closer union with God.

[@christophersalinas2722]

if you’re called to the lay state but have a strong attraction to an order, you can look into being a tertiary. or if you’re a diocesan priest you can look into the priestly fraternity of st dominic if you have an attraction to the dominicans

[@liviocinardi5820]

Each of us as a vocation: following Jesus as beloved disciples. There's not one special or more perfect vocation: there are different callings, charisma, each of them important.

[@stevenharrington3220]

The Priesthood is the most important vocation. For a priest can forgive sins and offer the sacrifice of the Mass

[@liviocinardi5820]

@@stevenharrington3220 I am sorry, but that's a pagan view. It is not christian.

[@stevenharrington3220]

@@liviocinardi5820 It's the view the Old Testament Israel held about the Levitical Priesthood. There is nothing pagan about it. Protestantism is more Pagan for turning Christmas, Easter, and Halloween into Pagan materialistic holidays.

[@christophersalinas2722]

@@liviocinardi5820No absolutely have different vocations. Read Paul. Those that must marry should marry. Those who can answer the call to celibacy should follow that vocation instead of going against it and marrying. Paul also says not everyone is an apostle. We all have different vocations. Jesus also gave special authority to the apostles, like forgiving sins in John 20. And they ordained priests and bishops as written by Paul. Study the ancient church.

[@liviocinardi5820]

I never said there are not different vocations. Study the grammar@@christophersalinas2722

[@SunnyAquamarine2]

I feel it so much and then, except for women. Oh yeah, about THAT...

[@minui8758]

I passionately disagree with this approach to vocation. Of course matrimony and single life can be vocations.

[@christophersalinas2722]

Yeah, but matrimony is a natural vocation.