D i s c e r n m e n t R e s o u r c e s
To you, young people, I say: if you hear the Lord's call, do not reject it!
"Dare to become part of the great movements of holiness which renowned saints have launched in their following of Christ. Cultivate the ideals proper to your age, but readily accept God's plan for you if he invites you to seek holiness in the consecrated life. Admire all God's works in the world, but be ready to fix your eyes on the things destined never to pass away."
Pope St. John Paul II
To Know the Lord… Seek and you shall find
Above all, discernment is a time to seek the Lord Jesus and to come to know Him more. Here are ways - trailblazed by the Saints - to grow closer to Christ and to seek His Plan for your life.
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P R A Y E R S F O R D I S C E R N M E N T
Prayer to Our Lady
by Pope St. John Paul II
O Mother, Mother of God, Mother of the Church… We entrust our lives to you; to you, who have accepted the Word of God with absolute fidelity and have dedicated yourself to his plan of salvation and grace, adhering with total docility to the action of the Holy Spirit; to you, who have received from your Son the mission to welcome and care for the disciple whom he loved (cf. Jn 20:26); to you we repeat, each and every one, "totus tuus ego sum," so that you may assume our consecration and unite it to that of Jesus and to yours, as an offering to God the Father, for the life of the world. Amen.
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
By St. Augustine
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit,
that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit,
that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit,
that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit,
to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit,
that I always may be holy. Amen.
Prayer of Discernment
Said Before the Crucifix
By St. Francis of Assisi
Most High, glorious God,
Enlighten the darkness of my heart,
And give me right faith,
Certain hope,
And perfect charity,
Wisdom and understanding,
Lord, that I may carry out
Your holy and true command.
Amen.
Discernment Prayer
From the Golden Manual
O Lord, grant me your divine light, that I may know the designs of your providence concerning me, and that, filled with a sincere desire for my soul’s salvation, I may say, with the young man in the Gospel: “What must I do to be saved?” All states of life are before me; but, still undecided what to do, I await your commands, I offer myself to you without restriction, without reserve, with a most perfect submission. Speak, Lord, to my soul; speak to me as you did to the youthful Samuel: “Speak to me, Lord; for your servant is listening.” I cast myself at your feet, and I am ready to do your will. Amen.
Prayer of Abandonment
By St. Charles de Foucauld
Father, I abandon myself into Your hands;
Do with me what You will.
Whatever You do may I thank You:
I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only Your will be done in me,
And in all Your creatures.
I wish no more than this, O Lord.
Into Your hands I commend my soul:
I offer it to You with all the love of my heart,
For I love You, Lord,
And so need to give myself to You,
To surrender myself into Your hands,
Without reserve and without boundless confidence,
For You are my Father. Amen.