For Anyone Who Is Discerning a Vocation

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• And You Are Christ’s: The Charism of Virginity and the Celibate Life by Fr. Thomas Dubay, SM — examines the significance of celibacy as a spiritual gift (or “charism”) lived out by men and women with supernatural vocations.

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• The Discernment of Spirits and Spiritual Consolation by Fr. Timothy M. Gallagher, OMV — a crash course in Ignatian discernment (in two volumes), not only useful for discerning one’s vocation but also for gaining a greater awareness of the way in which even the small choices we make daily impact our spiritual growth.

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• Happy Are You Poor: The Simple Life and Spiritual Freedom by Fr. Thomas Dubay, SM — takes a look at how evangelical poverty is lived out not only in religious life, but in all vocations. Includes an examen geared toward helping the reader begin practicing a “factual frugality” in conformity with the Gospel.

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• The Meaning of Vocation by Pope John Paul II— a compilation of quotes by the Holy Father about vocation. A great place to start!

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• Virginity: A Positive Approach to Celibacy for the Sake of the Kingdom of Heaven by Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap — beautiful meditations on the spiritual reality of celibacy, with an emphasis on the unique gift of consecrating one’s virginity for the sake of the Kingdom. 

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• When God Asks for an Undivided Heart: Choosing Celibacy in Love and Freedom by Fr. Andrew Apostoli, CFR — answers many practical questions about celibacy. 

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Books About Consecrated/Religious Life

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•  Discerning Religious Life by Sr. Clare Matthiass, C.F.R. — “a comprehensive guide to help women discern religious life with clarity, confidence, and joy.”

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• Religious Vocation: An Unnecessary Mystery by Fr. Richard Butler, OP — draws on the teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas to explain why the religious life is an open invitation to all generous souls who are disposed to accept it 

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Books About the Priesthood

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• To Save a Thousand Souls: A Guide to Discerning a Vocation to the Diocesan Priesthood by Fr. Brett A. Brannen — 

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• Gift and Mystery: On the Fiftieth Anniversary of My Priestly Ordination by Pope St. John Paul II —

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• A Priest Forever: The Life of Father Eugene Hamilton by Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR — the inspiring biography , a young man who was diagnosed with terminal cancer as a seminarian and ordained a priest, by a special papal dispensation, just hours before his death.

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• The Priest Is Not His Own by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen — a classic meditation on the priesthood 

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• Priests for the Third Millennium by Archbishop Timothy Dolan

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• The Sacred Heart and the Priesthood by Mother Louise Margaret Claret De La Touche —