Greetings! Pace e bene!
Hallo! I'm Br. Donal OFM, Vocation Animator and Director for the Franciscan Custody of Friars Minor in Great Britain.
Are you beginning to seriously discern your calling in life? You may be heartened by the experience of our founder, St Francis of Assisi. As a young man, St. Francis struggled with his vocation and the direction of his life. He had many opportunities and several losses in his youth. He began to ask questions from deep down inside. He often retreated to out-of-the-way places to pray from his heart, “God who are You? and, who am I?”
While at the little tumble-down chapel of San Damiano he asked God, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” and God gradually showed him!
As followers of St. Francis of Assisi, we, “Franciscan Friars” - “Lesser Brothers” - (some ordained Priests) – also have had our questions about our vocation. Asking questions is good – just like St. Francis did. His questions were honourable and sincere, just like yours! Learning to be a follower of Jesus Christ and living our vocation in life, whether to the consecrated life or not, takes time to become a mature individual coming to terms with a calling in life.
It requires reflection, prayer, dialogue, discernment with a spiritual guide, and perhaps a Franciscan Religious and a person like myself.
I am here for you.
Br. Donal ofm
Director of Vocations
