We are all called by God to be or do something. Often it is a life-long struggle of second-guessing, “Am I called to have a family?” “Is the single life right for me? “Should I be a doctor or a missionary?” “Am I to be an artist, educator, a restaurateur, dentist, retailer, digital tech, or even an astronaut?” The list simply does not end. The discernment of one’s life calling is confusing and possibly even more challenging for those who feel called to ministry in the Church as a consecrated religious or as a deacon or priest.
 
The United American Catholic Church provides a safe place where the discerning individual is given as much assistance as possible to discover, recognize, and realize God’s loving call to them. In the Gospel of Mark (1:17) we read, “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Is this your call? To accurately discern any vocation takes time, prayer, work, and pastoral concern on the part of both the individual and the Church. Proper vocational discernment is a partnership wherein the individual’s sense of calling is recognized, acknowledged, and accepted within the calling of the Church to discipling, baptizing, and teaching the Way of Jesus.
 
To avoid disappointment and frustration, whatever the nature of the vocation, the Church has a duty of pastoral and spiritual care as well as of prudence to ensure that the process of discernment is one of due diligence and patience.
 
The Process of Discernment
 
•    Getting to Know Each Other
 
If you are exploring a vocation to religious life as a brother or sister of an order or licensed ordained ministry, the first and most crucial step is for us to get to know you, and you, us!
 
How to Inquire: To begin the process of discerning a vocation within the UACC, an inquirer should make initial contact by clicking the "Vocations" tab above for a Contact Form, via Facebook Messenger, or by mail.
 
Our Response: Depending on the vocation to be discerned, the inquirer will receive a reply from the Director of Vocations, the Vocations Guide for our Religious Orders, or the Presiding Bishop for incardination.
 
While seeking to answer the Gospel question with the UACC, “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:15) You will receive a series of informative emails. Along with giving you information about vocations in the UACC, the emails will ask questions of you such as an account of your faith journey, what is your spiritual practice now, what has led you to contact us, how you began to discern God’s calling, and what are your expectations of the vocations process?
 
During this time, communications may include real-time conversations by telephone or via Skype, Facebook Messenger as well as correspondence via email, text, or other media, whatever is most mutually convenient for the inquirer and the Director of Vocations.
 
This stage may take as long as it is necessary for both parties, i.e., the inquirer and the Director of Vocations to mutually agree upon the appropriate way forward. Interviews, informal meetings, and extended conversations may be expected for those exploring vocations to the religious life and licensed ordained ministry and may include invitations to retreats, UACC parish ministry visits, or the General Synod. Only when both parties are agreed, will progress to the next stage be initiated.
 
Remember, whatever the outcome of this initial inquiry stage, it is all in the hands of God and all is God’s will. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)
 
•    Application
 
If prudent and when the inquirer is ready, you will be given an application to complete. The application form will ask you to repeat some previously provided information, for detailed personal information, a request for letters of reference about you in support of your application, and some statutory declarations concerning the Faith and your background. You will also be asked to provide your Sacramental record, proof of identity (e.g., Passport or State Issued ID copies), academic or professionally accredited qualifications (e.g., degree certificates), and professional association memberships/fellowships.
 
Due to the nature of licensed, ordained ministry and religious life, i.e. often working with vulnerable people and involving positions of trust and responsibility, background checks, e.g. Police/Criminal Record, and training on procedures/protocols for working with vulnerable people will be taken. Similarly, for vocations exploring communal religious/consecrated life, e.g. living in a community of monks/nuns, background and health checks may be required. Some background investigative procedures may involve costs, and these will typically be expected to be covered by the applicant.
 
For this formal stage, extended communications via readily available media, correspondence, and telephone should be expected, including face-to-face or in-person interviews and attendance at day or residential Retreats or Conferences. Again there is no set time frame for this stage of the process; it will take as long as it is necessary for all the information to be collated and presented, verified, and confirmed and for the Vocations Team to assess with the inquirer their readiness to take the next step.
 
Once the application has been reviewed and all background checks have been approved the final step before formal approval of candidacy requires a psychological evaluation by a competent licensed professional agreed upon by the Church and applicant. Again, this expense will need to be covered by the applicant.
 
•    Approval
 
It is a long process of seeking, questioning, and discerning, which will oftenl lead to a different answer than anticipated. Life is a journey, and your vocation is life; it is most important to take time for both. Scripture tells us “For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14) Regardless of the outcome, the introspective journey of discerning your vocation in Christ is not without merit.
 
 Once all background checks have been completed, references received and verified, and upon the recommendation of the Vocations Team; the Director of Vocations will present the assessment to the Presiding Bishop for formal acceptance or further recommendation for discernment.
 
Upon reaching this stage in the discernment process, mutual recognition and determination for realizing God’s calling for both the applicant and the Church will be established. Though not the end of the process, and in many ways only the beginning of a lifetime of discernment and vocational exploration, the applicant at this stage should feel encouraged and emboldened to continue the process with determination and with every assistance made available to them the Church can give. The next steps will depend on the nature of the vocation discerned and the procedures and protocols set by the Presiding Bishop or described in Canon Law or other policy documents.