Welcoming vocations: An ecclesial community that embraces desire and doubt

Feb 07, 2025

Prayer Prism - Fr Fabian Dicom

Pope Francis’ prayer intention for February calls on the Church — not just bishops, priests, and religious, but the entire ecclesial community — to actively welcome both the desires and doubts of young people discerning a vocation. But what does this really mean? How does a parish, a diocese, or a faith community concretely “welcome” these desires and doubts?

When a young person feels a call to serve Christ in the priesthood or religious life, it is rarely a straightforward journey. Alongside the desire to serve, there are often deep questions: Am I truly called? Will I be happy? Is this the right path for me? Pope Francis reminds us that doubt is not the enemy of faith; it is often a vital part of the journey. He once said, “If one has the answers to all the questions — that is the proof that God is not with him… The great leaders of the people of God, like Moses, have always left room for doubt.” (America magazine, September 30, 2013.)

This means that an ecclesial community that truly welcomes vocations must also welcome uncertainty. Young people need spaces where they can express their doubts and wrestle with their questions without fear of being judged or pressured. Discernment is rarely a straightforward path, and while well-intended, simplistic answers like “If God calls, He provides” may not always address the deep struggles of discernment. Instead, the ecclesial community must accompany them with patience, acknowledging that doubt is a natural part of any major life decision. Sharing personal experiences of discernment, offering guidance without coercion, and reassuring them that no vocation is without its challenges can help them navigate their journey with greater clarity. If the community does not provide this space for honest reflection, young people may feel forced into a decision before they are truly ready or turn away altogether, never having the opportunity to fully understand God’s call in their lives.

Fostering Authentic Desire: A Journey, Not Just a Decision
Desire is at the heart of every vocation. But it is not enough to simply have a calling. That desire must be nurtured, deepened, and purified over time. Young people must see that a vocation is not just about obligation or sacrifice — it is about a life of love, purpose, and joy.

I recall a conversation I had 40 years ago with my uncle, Fr Antoni Ponnudurai, SJ. When I first spoke to him about becoming a priest, I gave him all sorts of reasons for wanting to enter the seminary. And I thought they were reasonably good and valid. But with his characteristic simplicity and deep conviction, he interrupted me, saying: “You see… Fabian, the only reason we need, the only reason to want to become a priest is because you love Jesus completely and wholeheartedly, because you adore Him fully, because you want to do everything for Him. That is the only criterion; the one and only.”

He then shared how this love had sustained him throughout his journey. It was not only what he said but how he said it that left an impact on me. At that moment, I felt overwhelmed — perhaps even inadequate — because I had not framed my desire for priesthood in such absolute terms. But as I journeyed through discernment, I realised that what he was describing was not certainty, but love. True vocation is not about having every doubt erased before taking the first step; it is about allowing love for Christ to grow deeper, even in the presence of questions. That conversation became a guiding light in my journey as a priest.

A welcoming Church, a welcoming ecclesial community nurtures authentic desire by creating opportunities for young people to encounter God in meaningful ways. Retreats, prayer communities, silent adoration, community engagement, and mission work provide sacred spaces where they can deepen their relationship with Christ. Encouraging active participation in ministry allows them to experience the joys and challenges of service before making lifelong commitments. Just as importantly, the witness of priests and religious who radiate genuine joy in their vocation inspires others to see that a call to serve is not merely about duty or sacrifice, but about a life filled with purpose, love, and deep fulfilment.

A ‘Yes’ Given in Freedom, Not Fear
Pope Francis warns against vocations that emerge out of fear or external pressure. Some young people enter seminaries or religious life because of family expectations or because they don’t see other options. Others stay in formation not because they feel truly called, but because they are afraid of disappointing others. An ecclesial community that welcomes vocations must also ensure that every “yes” is given freely. Young people must have the freedom to explore their call without immediate commitment, the freedom to say no and still be fully part of the community, and the freedom to leave formation if they discern it is not their true calling. No one should enter religious life with reluctance, nor remain in it out of guilt. The ecclesial community does not just need more priests and religious — it needs authentic vocations.

A Vocation That Walks with the Poor
A true vocation to the priesthood or religious life is not about status, title, or privilege. It is a call to be with Christ, who is found among the poor, the sick, and the forgotten. Pope Francis constantly reminds us that a priest must have the “smell of the sheep.” An ecclesial community that fosters true vocations must also nurture in young people a love for the least, the suffering, and the outcast.

A vocation rooted in love for Jesus must necessarily be a vocation of love for others. Those who discern must ask themselves: Do I feel drawn to serve the suffering? Do I see Christ in the face of the poor? Am I ready to give myself, not just to an idea, but to real people in need?

More Than Just Praying for Vocations: Creating an Ecclesial Community That Truly Welcomes
To welcome desires and doubts is not just about praying for vocations — it is about becoming a Church, an ecclesial community, where young people feel safe to truly discern. When that happens, their yes to God will be a joyful and lasting one.

An ecclesial community that truly fosters vocations is one that listens with patience, creating an environment where young people feel heard and understood rather than rushed into decisions. It allows space for doubt, recognising that questioning is not a sign of weak faith but an essential part of authentic discernment. Genuine desire is nurtured rather than imposed, ensuring that those who feel called to serve do so out of love rather than obligation. Supporting families is also crucial, as they play a significant role in a young person’s journey of faith and discernment. Most importantly, the community must respect true freedom, making it clear that a vocation is never about pressure or fear but a response to God’s invitation made in peace and trust.

If we want more young people to respond to Christ’s call, we must ensure that they are responding not out of fear, pressure, or duty, but out of a deep and authentic love. Because in the end, as Fr Ponnudurai reminded me, that is the only true criterion: Do you love Jesus completely and wholeheartedly?

Fr Fabian Dicom is the National Director of Caritas Malaysia