A Franciscan vocation is a call to a loving relationship with God, others, and all of creation–the Spirit’s invitation that requires prayerful listening and a genuine response.

Discernment is a process involving:

  • Prayer
  • Conversation with those you trust
  • Becoming acquainted with our sisters
  • Spiritual direction
  • And a vocation promoter

Franciscan Discernment Guide

Are you aware that there is more than one style of discernment? We present here a Franciscan process for discernment. In our Franciscan theology and discernment, we see the whole situation and begin from a place of beauty, love, and a desire to return to balance and harmony. Life is not a puzzle to be figured out piece by piece, but a practice of following the heart as lead by the Spirit. Other styles of discernment work for some of us, but not all, and they have a different focus. Enjoy discovering an alternative form of discernment. Use it for yourself, share it with others, include it in your workplace and family decisions. If you would like assistance with this exciting and meaningful process, you might consider contacting one of our spiritual centers or one of our spiritual directors through one of the centers: Franciscan Spiritual Center in Aston, PA fsc@osfphila.org or Franciscan Spiritual Center in Marylhurst, OR info@francisspctr.com.

The attached PowerPoint presentation converted to PDF supplements the booklet “Discernment in the Franciscan Spirit”. Click here to access this wonderful resource. Please use it with your committees, ministry sites, parish groups, etc. Share it widely along with the booklet.

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Vocation Prayer

Prayer for Guidance
(St. Francis of Assisi)

Most High and Glorious God.
Bring light to the darkness of my heart.
Give me right faith, certain hope, and perfect charity.
Lord, give me insight and wisdom
So I might always discern
Your holy and true will.

The Call

Creating God, you call.
And patiently you wait….
“What is it that you want?
What is it that you seek?”

Questions, which call to me from deep within.
Questions, that I am not even aware of at times,
or able to articulate, but they are there just the same.

And then suddenly,
they echo loudly within my heart, within my soul,
waiting patiently to be answered with my life
by becoming the person You created me to be.
And so I wait for you O God.

I want to follow You.
Lead me on the journey…
The journey towards Love…
The journey that is You!

– Mary Beth Antonelli OSF

Closing Prayer

Loving God, we thank you for the many times and the many ways You call each of us. You call us to love one another, and you surround us with many signs of Your love for us. May we be open to Your call and may we always seek to follow You in our everyday, ordinary lives. Help us to hear Your Voice and respond in faithfulness. May we always seek to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, embracing His Gospel message of love and service to all of our brothers and sisters. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.