How to Discern One's Vocation

A vocation is a serious life commitment—a call to follow our Lord Jesus Christ. To discern your vocation is to listen attentively to His voice and reflect on how He is inviting you to live your life for Him.

All Christians are called to holiness. Yet, some are invited to follow Christ more closely in the priesthood or consecrated life. Dominican priests and brothers, through the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, dedicate themselves to the glory of God, personal sanctification, and the salvation of souls.

The vocation of a Dominican friar is to preach the truth of Jesus Christ, that is, with words, with prayer, and with life.

1. Grow in Prayer and the Spiritual Life

Prayer is the foundation of discernment. As you deepen your relationship with God, His call becomes clearer.

Go beyond Sunday Mass: attend Daily Mass whenever possible.

Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation regularly (at least once a month).

Begin spiritual direction with a priest (preferably a Dominican).

Establish a daily prayer routine:

Liturgy of the Hours (especially Lauds and Vespers).

Daily Rosary.

Sacred Scripture, especially through Lectio Divina.

Spiritual reading, especially the lives of Dominican saints (see guide below).

Eucharistic Adoration—learn to sit in silence before the Lord.

You can also strengthen your prayer life by joining Dominican Confraternities:

The Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary

The Angelic Warfare Confraternity

2. Live a Life Worthy of the Call

A man discerning religious life strives to live in a way that reflects his desire to follow Christ.

If in college, be active in campus ministry and the liturgical life of your community.

If working, register in your parish, contribute, and volunteer.

Practice moderation in technology and entertainment.

Live a balanced lifestyle: good health, exercise, study, discipline, and care for others.

3. Seek Spiritual Direction

Discernment is not a journey to take alone. A spiritual director, a priest or religious brother (preferably a Dominican), can guide you.

Share your hopes, questions, and struggles honestly.

Receive guidance on deepening your prayer life.

Address personal challenges (such as chastity or other struggles).

Learn how to listen more closely to Christ’s voice.

The goal of spiritual direction is simple: to help you follow Jesus more faithfully and discover His call for your life.

4. Encounter the Dominican Life

No book or article can replace the experience of meeting a friar and seeing Dominican life firsthand.

Visit a priory or Dominican community. Join us for prayer, meals, or Mass.

Spend time with friars to see how the Dominican charism—to contemplate and to share the fruits of contemplation—is lived daily.

Even if Dominicans are not in your area, you can schedule a visit to one of our many communities.
The saints are companions on the journey. Their lives show different ways of living Dominican holiness:

Step 1 – Begin with Inspiration (Short Lives & Stories)

St. Lorenzo Ruiz – First Filipino martyr; lay Dominican, model of courage.

St. Hyacinth of Poland – Early missionary; great zeal and trust in God.

St. Martin de Porres – Humble lay brother, servant of the poor.

St. Rose of Lima – Prayerful and penitential lay Dominican.

Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati – Joyful, modern lay Dominican; “Man of the Beatitudes.”

Step 2 – Vocations and Preaching

Bl. Jordan of Saxony – Inspired countless vocations, successor of St. Dominic.

St. Vincent Ferrer – Tireless preacher of conversion and hope.

Step 3 – Dominican Foundations

St. Dominic de Guzman – Founder, preacher of truth, man of prayer and mercy.

St. Catherine of Siena – Mystic, Doctor of the Church, lover of the Church.

Step 4 – Theology and Contemplation

St. Thomas Aquinas – The “Angelic Doctor.” Begin with his prayers before exploring his theology.
To discern your vocation is to ask sincerely:
“Lord, what do You desire for my life?”

Through prayer, guidance, and openness to the Holy Spirit, you will discover whether God is calling you to serve Him as a Dominican friar—to preach the truth for the salvation of souls.

What does it mean to discern your vocation?

How to Discern One's Vocation

1. Grow in Prayer and the Spiritual Life

Prayer is the foundation of discernment. As you deepen your relationship with God, His call becomes clearer.

Go beyond Sunday Mass: attend Daily Mass whenever possible.

Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation regularly (at least once a month).

Begin spiritual direction with a priest (preferably a Dominican).

Establish a daily prayer routine:

Liturgy of the Hours (especially Lauds and Vespers).

Daily Rosary.

Sacred Scripture, especially through Lectio Divina.

Spiritual reading, especially the lives of Dominican saints (see guide below).

Eucharistic Adoration—learn to sit in silence before the Lord.

You can also strengthen your prayer life by joining Dominican Confraternities:

The Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary

The Angelic Warfare Confraternity

2. Live a Life Worthy of the Call

A man discerning religious life strives to live in a way that reflects his desire to follow Christ.

If in college, be active in campus ministry and the liturgical life of your community.

If working, register in your parish, contribute, and volunteer.

Practice moderation in technology and entertainment.

Live a balanced lifestyle: good health, exercise, study, discipline, and care for others.

3. Seek Spiritual Direction

Discernment is not a journey to take alone. A spiritual director, a priest or religious brother (preferably a Dominican), can guide you.

Share your hopes, questions, and struggles honestly.

Receive guidance on deepening your prayer life.

Address personal challenges (such as chastity or other struggles).

Learn how to listen more closely to Christ’s voice.

The goal of spiritual direction is simple: to help you follow Jesus more faithfully and discover His call for your life.

4. Encounter the Dominican Life

No book or article can replace the experience of meeting a friar and seeing Dominican life firsthand.

Visit a priory or Dominican community. Join us for prayer, meals, or Mass.

Spend time with friars to see how the Dominican charism—to contemplate and to share the fruits of contemplation—is lived daily.

Even if Dominicans are not in your area, you can schedule a visit to one of our many communities.
The saints are companions on the journey. Their lives show different ways of living Dominican holiness:

Step 1 – Begin with Inspiration (Short Lives & Stories)

St. Lorenzo Ruiz – First Filipino martyr; lay Dominican, model of courage.

St. Hyacinth of Poland – Early missionary; great zeal and trust in God.

St. Martin de Porres – Humble lay brother, servant of the poor.

St. Rose of Lima – Prayerful and penitential lay Dominican.

Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati – Joyful, modern lay Dominican; “Man of the Beatitudes.”

Step 2 – Vocations and Preaching

Bl. Jordan of Saxony – Inspired countless vocations, successor of St. Dominic.

St. Vincent Ferrer – Tireless preacher of conversion and hope.

Step 3 – Dominican Foundations

St. Dominic de Guzman – Founder, preacher of truth, man of prayer and mercy.

St. Catherine of Siena – Mystic, Doctor of the Church, lover of the Church.

Step 4 – Theology and Contemplation

St. Thomas Aquinas – The “Angelic Doctor.” Begin with his prayers before exploring his theology.
To discern your vocation is to ask sincerely:
“Lord, what do You desire for my life?”

Through prayer, guidance, and openness to the Holy Spirit, you will discover whether God is calling you to serve Him as a Dominican friar—to preach the truth for the salvation of souls.

1. Grow in Prayer and the Spiritual Life Prayer is the foundation of discernment. As you deepen your relationship with God, His call becomes clearer.

Go beyond Sunday Mass: attend Daily Mass whenever possible.

Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation regularly (at least once a month).

Begin spiritual direction with a priest (preferably a Dominican).

Establish a daily prayer routine:

Liturgy of the Hours (especially Lauds and Vespers).

Daily Rosary.

Sacred Scripture, especially through Lectio Divina.

Spiritual reading, especially the lives of Dominican saints (see guide below).

Eucharistic Adoration—learn to sit in silence before the Lord.

You can also strengthen your prayer life by joining Dominican Confraternities:

The Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary

The Angelic Warfare Confraternity

2. Live a Life Worthy of the Call A man discerning religious life strives to live in a way that reflects his desire to follow Christ.

If in college, be active in campus ministry and the liturgical life of your community.

If working, register in your parish, contribute, and volunteer.

Practice moderation in technology and entertainment.

Live a balanced lifestyle: good health, exercise, study, discipline, and care for others.

3. Seek Spiritual Direction Discernment is not a journey to take alone. A spiritual director, a priest or religious brother (preferably a Dominican), can guide you.

Share your hopes, questions, and struggles honestly.

Receive guidance on deepening your prayer life.

Address personal challenges (such as chastity or other struggles).

Learn how to listen more closely to Christ’s voice.

The goal of spiritual direction is simple: to help you follow Jesus more faithfully and discover His call for your life. 4. Encounter the Dominican Life No book or article can replace the experience of meeting a friar and seeing Dominican life firsthand.

Visit a priory or Dominican community. Join us for prayer, meals, or Mass.

Spend time with friars to see how the Dominican charism—to contemplate and to share the fruits of contemplation—is lived daily.

Even if Dominicans are not in your area, you can schedule a visit to one of our many communities.