S08 Ep06 - Vocation 101: Signs, Gifts & the Courage to Act

2025-10-08

How do we discern God’s call for our lives? In this episode of Living Fullness, Stina and Padre explore what it means to hear and follow a vocational calling—marriage, priesthood, religious life, or single consecrated life. They discuss immediate “no’s” and incompatibilities, the resources available in the Diocese of Wagga Wagga, and how Christians everywhere can look for authentic guidance in their discernment. Along the way, they unpack the difference between careers and vocations, how charisms and spiritual gifts fit in, and the pitfalls of “perpetua...

How do we discern God’s call for our lives? In this episode of Living Fullness, Stina and Padre explore what it means to hear and follow a vocational calling—marriage, priesthood, religious life, or single consecrated life. They discuss immediate “no’s” and incompatibilities, the resources available in the Diocese of Wagga Wagga, and how Christians everywhere can look for authentic guidance in their discernment. Along the way, they unpack the difference between careers and vocations, how charisms and spiritual gifts fit in, and the pitfalls of “perpetual discernment.” Rooted in faith, virtue, and dialogue with God, this conversation highlights discernment as an active, courageous response to God’s love.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - 00:00:26 - Introduction

00:00:27 - 00:03:30 - The Role of Vocations Director

00:03:31 - 00:06:29 - Discerning a Vocational Call

00:06:30 - 00:09:29 - Methods of Discernment

00:09:30 - 00:12:28 - Overcoming Fear and Discernment

00:12:29 - 00:15:12 - Resources for Vocational Discernment

00:15:13 - 00:17:25 - Religious Life Options in Australia

00:17:26 - 00:19:03 - Exploring Religious Vocations in Australia

00:19:04 - 00:21:00 - Steps for Vocational Discernment

00:21:01 - 00:22:39 - Understanding Identity in Discernment

00:22:40 - 00:24:38 - The Importance of Detachment

00:24:39 - 00:26:26 - Seminary Experience.

00:26:27 - 00:28:24 - Avoiding Idolatry in Vocational Aspirations

00:28:25 - 00:30:14 - The Role of Holiness in Vocation.

00:30:15 - 00:33:02 - Broadening the Definition of Vocation

00:33:03 - 00:37:50 - The Challenge of Single Life as a Vocation

00:37:51 - 00:40:24 - Truth, Beauty and Goodness / Episode Conclusion

If you wish to discuss with Fr Sean Byrnes please feel free to email him frseanbyrnes@gmail.com

- A Virtue Ministry Podcast -

Please find all the information of todays episode in the show notes below:

https://www.virtueministry.org.au/podcast/podcast-notes/

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