Discerning your vocation is not about choosing something you want to do for your life but about discovering who you are made to be, discovering your deepest identity. It is more than an intellectual weighing up of options. Discernment is a process of becoming aware of what’s in our hearts and minds, listening to God, gaining clarity and making a choice.

So what should I do?

• Pray often: asking God to reveal his will and to help you know yourself better.
• Live a sacramental life: attend daily Mass whenever possible and take advantage of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
• Go for a Retreat: Getting away from the busyness of daily life and immersing yourself in a quiet environment can help you listen to God. You can attend retreats which include talks, or a silent retreat; in either case you can take the opportunity to receive spiritual direction.
• Commitment: Commit yourself to some form of volunteer service to God’s people, especially the poor.
• Visit a religious community: it is much better to meet and spend some time with the community than to speculate about whether they are right for you or not. Don’t be afraid of having a confidential chat with them.

There are several reasons that leads to asking the question of the life of Little Sisters of the Poor:

1. Felt call to give one’s life totally to God
2. First time encountering the Little Sisters
3. An attraction to the Congregation or service to the elderly

A young girl who sees several of these elements in her life may ask herself the question of becoming a Little Sister of the Poor… BUT how can she reach a reflected and matured decision?

Several paths are possible. There may be: