Discern the life God is calling you to live
Are You Called?
Single, Catholic men aged 18–35 are welcome to explore a vocation to religious brotherhood in the Congregation of Holy Cross, Province of West Africa, Ghana.
The Call
This is the question that brings you here.
This is the question that won’t let you go. Finding the answer requires you to open your heart and dive into the work of discovering Christ’s call. It is work that is well worth your while. The Congregation of Holy Cross offers resources to assist you in your discernment.
“We had been washed in baptism and confirmed in our belief and given the eucharistic nourishment in memory of Him. But there seemed to come a time when the Lord was calling us to take some further step.”Constitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross, 1:2
Discernment
Learn to Hear the Call
In Scripture, we find many stories wherein God’s call was made manifest through some spectacular event, like a burning bush, an angelic messenger, or Christ Himself standing on the seashore. The reality is that our call will likely come in a much more subtle manner. Coming to an understanding of our call is a matter of discernment. It is a prayerful handling of the manifestations of God’s will that come to us through our skills and abilities, our deepest desires, the circumstances of our lives, and the wisdom of the people around us.
Three Movements
How Discernment Unfolds
Prepare Your Heart
Throughout our lives, the Lord stirs our hearts to reveal his holy will for us. A key component to any Christian discernment is to attend to the heart, yet first the heart must be prepared to recognize the Holy Spirit’s movements and promptings. Before you ask God what he wants you to do with your life, you need to come to know him personally. The sacraments, prayer, and service are a few of the many ways you can grow in your relationship with God and open your heart to his call.
Ask the Question
Often we desire to know God’s will for us, but we forget to slow down long enough to ask the question or even consider what the question is. Discernment requires that we be deliberate about the questions we ask and how we ask them. When asking God for wisdom regarding your vocation, first ask for the desire for the answer. While knowing God’s will may seem desirable, often when it is revealed, it is intimidating or unsettling. Yet, God’s grace is always sufficient to live out the call he places on our hearts.
Listen for God’s Call
God’s response to our questions is not always quick or obvious, yet he always makes his will known to those who seek it with sincere hearts. As you wait for an answer, have faith and trust. God’s call is not a game of hide-and-seek. God wants to reveal your vocation to you, and in his time he will do so in a recognizable way. Be willing to be silent in prayer, allowing your heart to rest in God. If possible, do so in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Learn to hear the Shepherd’s voice in the quiet of your heart.
Aids to Discernment
Prepare to Hear the Call
The work of discernment cannot be broken down into a set program that will guarantee results. But there are tried and true aids to discernment that will draw us closer to God and assist in opening our hearts that we may know and desire God’s will.
The Sacraments
The Sacraments are concrete moments where we encounter God’s grace. The more that we enter into these moments, the more this grace permeates our life and can then draw us into closer communion with the Lord. The Eucharist is the source and summit of our life in Christ; thus it is imperative that we attend Mass every Sunday. Frequent participation in daily Mass greatly assists our growth in God’s grace. Also important is regular confession. Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we are freed from the obstacles of sin that hold us back and prevent us from hearing God’s voice.
Forms of Prayer
Through time spent in prayer, we encounter God and allow him to work in our hearts and make his will known. Dedicating time every day to the Lord, even a few minutes, is an essential investment in our relationship with him and our ability to know and follow his will. Several forms of prayer that are particularly helpful in discernment are:
- Praying with Scripture
- Praying with the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Praying with the Eucharist
- Praying for your Vocation
If you are drawn to a vocation in Holy Cross, you might also reflect on the Holy Cross Constitutions — the Rule of Life that shapes our identity as religious Brothers of the Congregation. Prayerfully reading the Constitutions can help you discern whether the Holy Cross charism, our way of life, and our family spirit resonate with the call God is placing on your heart.
Take the first step
Contact the Vocation Office
Share a few details and our Vocation Office team will reach out to you. Your journey begins with a conversation — no pressure, no obligation, just guidance.
- ✓Confidential, one-on-one guidance
- ✓Resources for prayer & reflection
- ✓Come-and-see formation visits