Diocese of Yakima Vocations Office

1126 Long Ave

Richland, WA 99354

Fr. Wilmar Zabala

• Does the idea of becoming a sister, priest, or brother keep coming back time and again even though you thought you had moved on in your life and forgotten about it?
• Do you have vocation literature under your bed or tuck it away in a closet?
• Do you long for more?
• Do you feel called to give more, to be more?
• Does you relationship with God sustain you, enliven you, invigorate in such a way that you want to share the Good News with others?
• Do you find your weekly ministry more life-giving and energizing than your career?
• Do you have a sneaking suspicion that you are on a brink of a major life decision?
• Are you afraid to tell family and friends that you are thinking about a church vocation?
• Does the idea of becoming a priest or religious excite you and at the same time frighten you because you feel unworthy?

If you answered "yes" to two or more of the above questions, please contact Fr. Wilmar at 946-1675.

Qualities and Characteristics of a Perspective Priesthood Candidate

• A personal relations with God as an important and vital part of life
• Has the ability and willingness to talk about his faith
• Has some involvement in his local parish
• Has a desire to serve others and make a difference in people's lives
• Motivated by the mission of Jesus and ability to articulate it
• Willing to sacrifice personally for the service of the Gospel and the Church
• One who is approachable
• Possesses a psycho-sexual-socio maturity
• Has the ability to collaborate with others
• Takes initiative and assumes responsibility for his actions
• Recognizes the importance of the Church and the role of the Church as teacher
• Possesses the skills of self-mastery and discipline
• Has the capacity for living a chaste and celibate life
• Has healthy relationships with men, women, and children
• Has average intelligence, common sense, good physical and emotional health
• Recognizes the need to both give and accept support from others
• Possesses a keen sense of empathy
• Has leadership skills
• The celebration of the Sacraments are important to him
• Has the ability to nurture another person's growth
• He is open and respectful of all people
• A person of integrity
• An awareness of God's omnipotence presence
• Others have mentioned that he would make a good priest

Thinking about the Priesthood?

To be called by God is to experience a deep and personal stirring within one's soul. All who believe in the person and power of Jesus Christ, all who are baptized, are called to walk with their brothers and sisters on their journey to the Lord. This is an open call, a call to all Christians. But the call of God can take a more specific shape. Today, God calls some people to service of leadership in the Church as priests. In proclaiming God's word, celebrating the sacraments and shepherding the flock to which they themselves belong, priests live out a call they have experienced.  When the call to priesthood is coupled with an attraction to being with the People of God in a given place, the local Church or diocese, and serving them particularly in parish ministry, then the call points to diocesan priesthood.

Five Moments of Discernment

1. When discerning a vocation, there's always a confusion of options. Many things interest us.

Suggestion: Root out any interests that are "bad" or not of God. Then, with the remaining good choices, seek out your dominant interest and pursue it.

2. The decision making process is a complicated matter. There are many "layers" of decisions that must be looked at. At the same time there are clues, "signs" that are present to us.

Suggestion: Follow the leads that are present.

3. There is very often uncertainty in the discernment process. At any one point in time we only see partial glimpses, not the whole picture; therefore, uncertainty exists.

Suggestion:  Trust what is deepest in your heart.

4. In discernment, your decision will always meet a certain amount of inner resistance. Resistance is a good sign. There is always risk when a person makes significant decisions in his life. A person must have sufficient love in his heart to take a significant risk.

Suggestion: Reflect on what is the source of love in your heart, where it is leading you, and how deeply it is present.

5. When discerning your vocation, the road ahead will always remain a bit foggy. You probably will not know with absolute certainty what lies ahead. The future will always remain a bit hidden. Mystery and the unknown are part of everyone's future.

Suggestion: Take one step at a time. Don't try to "figure out" in exact detail your entire future.