The Vocations Director and the Discernment of Vocations: Some Considerations for Priestly Formation

Abstract

The twenty-first century is associated with advancement in information and communication technology (ICT), like the fourteenth century which came with the Renaissance that was associated with new knowledge and the scientific method which revolutionized virtually all sectors of life including the Church and priestly vocation. The discernment of priestly vocations has become a herculean task for all those who are engaged in the discernment and formation of vocations to the Catholic Priesthood. With the challenges that are rocking the priesthood today ranging from sexual abuse, Protestantism, materialism and secularism, the question: “How Vocation Directors and Formators in the Seminaries discern genuine vocation or discover candidates with genuine vocations” has become a front-burner question. This is the aim of this essay. This paper, therefore, attempts to discuss this topic issue with theoretical and practical insights and further make some proposals, that is believed would enhance the discernment process. Without being overly presumptuous, it suffices to clarify some of the key concepts in this discourse.