I made a post awhile back about how some days were better than others in the world of discernment and how one day your gung-ho on the seminary and the other times praying that the diocese doesn't accept you.

Well, somebody told me when I was telling them that I thought I had lost my vocation and had pretty much decided to withdraw my application with the diocese, said to me, "the worst thing you can do is pray for a sign from Jesus."

And that is what I did. Last night driving to school I asked the Blessed Mother to ask Jesus to send me a sign. And I had basically a one way conversation with my Mother in heaven, telling her how I felt lost in life and no idea and how some days are better than others. I then specifically asked the Blessed Mother for a sign mentioning the sign that I wanted to affirm I should enter the seminary and it was this: Three people that I have had little to no contact with in my life, would have to ask me if I was considering the seminary as an option in my life.


In my life, I feel that God has given me a special mission to pray for a few specific intentions and they are: those who have not yet felt the love of God in their heart, especially those whom I know, for our priests, and an increase in vocations along with the end to abortion.

I read in our diocesean paper that this evening, (Friday the nineteenth) our Bishop would say a mass in Green Bay to pray for the end of Roe v. Wade. I had to decide if I wanted to go to the mass which is 30 miles away from where I live or if I wanted to go to our school's basketball game this evening. After talking with PM member Brendan, he asked me if I was serious, saying I should go to mass.

I decided to make the drive since gas is only 1.99 a galloon and ultimatly the trip would cost me 6-8 dollars to pray for an end to abortion. After the mass this evening their was a social in the social hall, and as a person who loves to talk, I decided to go. And guess how many people asked me this evening, people whom I have never met, asked me if I was going to enter the seminary.

3! The exact number that I prayed for to affirm my vocation.

The third lady I began a conversation with because she looked like a nun. Seriously she had an Our Lady of Guadalupe pin on, and a monstrance pin, and I just naturally thought it was the sign of her dedication to God as a religious. During our conversation she asked me if I was considering seminary and I said yes, knowing she was the third person and knew that I'm suppose to go. She went on talking and before we departed ways she said, "maybe you asked me tonight if I was a sister because God wanted you to talk to me, becasue I want you to know that I'm going to pray for you, and maybe you need that extra prayer since this is such a difficult decision to make when you have so many people telling your crazy."

Naturally I would say that this is a mere coincidence. But there are no coincidences. Yesterday I prayed a prayer asking God to affirm a vocation by the method of three people questioning if I would go to seminary. One day later, this happens. The odds of this occuring I personally believe are astronomical.

I was going to ask a girl out on a date and maybe even enter into a relationship. But I no longer am going to do so. I'm going to focus on God and towards the seminary, continuing to pick up my cross and following Christ.

Please pray for me and be assured of my prayers for you as we journey toward our eternal salvation, I am

Your Brother in Christ,

Edward

That's beautiful, inspirational, and a very good example for all of us.

Thank you, Edward! May you always experience the hand of God in your life like you did just now.

I'll be praying for you, too!

I'm so happy for you. This is such an inspiring sign of grace.

Edward,

Thanks for sharing, that is a beautiful and inspiring story, I am so happy for you, just continue to place yourself in our lords loving arms and entrust your vocation to our Mothers prayers!! Know that I will be praying for you!!

God Bless You!

While I don't usally ask for signs per say, God has given me ways to know I have a vocation.

Once I was praying while mucking stalls and just basicly I was complining how God made it so easy for St.Threase to know her vocation and how we don't have people on death row giving up there rights and just going on with there sentance. WELL. . .

Two days later a man named Cobb here in CT on death row did just that, I was floored! of course two weeks later he recanted HOWEVER . . .

Just a few days later a man named Ross gave up his appeals and was put to death.

Well I knew then I had a vocation and I can go on, but I rather keep those little stories between me and God.

Sometimes it like so many cowincidents(sp?) line up and you just take notice, "where did that come from?" and your floored and "Just know"


Jessica
http://www.xanga.com/ADiscerningSoul
http://blog.myspace.com/147329732

Thank you Edward for sharing your lovely story.....it is thought provoking. God Bless you as you continue your discernment.

God bless you Eddie We will continue to pray for you and your discernment.

Lauren

wow! bless you!

To add to this sign I requested, today I received in the mail a card from a friend of mine who is in the seminary wrote me:

Ed,

I think it is wonderful that you received a sign of your vocation. God said: alright altready! now get down to business and move forward. As you know there is no substitue for faith, trust and perserverence. Questions and doubts will probably continue but you should stay on course, through days of light and days of darkness. Move forward not asking the question again: Do I have a vocation? It is answered enough for you to move forward. The final judgement as to whether or not you have a vocation rest with the church. It always has.

Be brave, be strong, be smart and be a man. And mostly, be at peace.
Mr. Ray