God calls each person to a particular Vocation/state in life based on what is best for their soul.

In Catholicism there are three Vocations:

• Priesthood
• Consecrated Life – religious or layperson
• Sacramental Marriage

Some discover their Vocation early in life.

Some discover it later, while others may not be able to formally enter into a Vocation despite wanting and trying to do so.

If you have not yet entered into your Vocation, you are not alone!

I and many others share this struggle with you.

I’m not here to give discernment advice.

My goal is to provide encouragement, support and hope for those who are waiting on their Vocation.

In this post I’ll:

• Share some of my discernment journey
• Share examples of Saints who had later Vocations

My Journey

I’m a cradle Catholic, but I didn’t learn about discernment or Vocations growing up, unfortunately.

I fell away from the Church in college and returned in my late-20s.

During my reversion, I initially felt attracted to religious life/being a bride of Christ.

I couldn’t discern with religious communities because of my chronic health condition.

I told God that I would become a religious sister/nun if He healed me. I felt Him tell me that I didn’t know what I was saying and not to make that promise…

After praying for guidance, I felt God calling me to be open to dating and marriage.

Days before my 30th birthday, I felt inspired to write an honest, courageous and hopeful prayer. 

Shortly after, I met a devout Catholic man who was unlike any man I had ever met. It seemed like God had brought us together!

We fell in love and had a virtuous and meaningful relationship for several years.

The love and connection we shared was a special gift that we both treasured.

We delighted in each other, and God revealed Himself through our interactions.

Through prayer and the relationship, my heart began to open and change in ways that surprised me.

We seriously discerned marriage and asked God to allow us to enter into Holy Matrimony together, if that was best for us.

We offered countless prayers and sacrifices during our discernment.

Our constant request was for God to reveal His will for us and to give us the grace to accept it. 

Ultimately, we weren’t called to marry each other.

What God willed for our romantic relationship was revealed. Why He willed that outcome is a mystery to me…

I can relate to those who have experienced heartache and emotional pain, especially from relationships.

I can relate to those who have been in a long-distance relationship and suffered during each goodbye and period of separation.

I can relate to those who have loved someone who feels they may be called to the priesthood/religious life, and that person ends the relationship to discern. This can be a painful, lonely and confusing experience.

I can relate to those who feel like they keep facing closed doors and rejection, despite much prayer and effort.

I know how hard it can be for those who are waiting on their Vocation, especially those who can’t enter into it because of circumstances out of their control.

These experiences can be very challenging, especially for those who are more sensitive.

I’m approaching my late-30s and still not in a place where I can properly discern or pursue a Vocation because of my health.

This is a heavy cross for me and those who care for me, especially my parents.

My health is preventing me from tangibly pursuing the desires of my heart. I continue to give them to the Lord and beg for the grace to accept His will.

I have faced many trials, and I’m still trying to navigate through them.

I don’t usually share personal details, but I decided to in order to connect with those who have had similar experiences. You are not alone!

Examples

Below is a list of Saints/people on the path to canonization who had Vocations later in life.

I included their age in parentheses and their Vocation.

Remember that the life expectancy was much lower than today, so they were considered to be older in the time in which they lived.

If you feel drawn to a particular Saint, consider searching online and reading their story. Also consider praying for their intercession.

• St. Augustine of Hippo (37) – baptized at age 33, priesthood in 391
• St. Rita of Cascia (36) – arranged marriage as a teenager despite wanting to be a nun, religious life in the early 1400s after the death of her husband and sons 
• St. John Henry Newman (46) – Anglican convert at age 44, Catholic priesthood in 1847
• Sts. Louis (35) and Zélie (26) Martin – marriage in 1858 after both being rejected from religious life
• Bl. Bartolo Longo (44) and Countess Mariana di Fusco (widow) – celibate marriage in 1885
• Bl. Maria Teresa of St. Joseph (38) – Protestant convert at age 33, religious life in 1893
• St. Mariam Thresia Chiramel Mankidiyan (38) – religious life in 1914
• St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (46) – baptized at age 30, religious life in 1938
• St. Gianna (33) and Pietro Molla (43) – marriage in 1955
• Ven. Alfonso Ugolini (65) – priesthood in 1972

Some Saints never formally entered into a Vocation because of death or other circumstances. This didn’t stop them from becoming holy.

I also know several people who entered into their Vocation in their late-30s, 40s and 50s.

Know of my prayers!

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; thy steadfast love, O Lord, endures for ever. Do not forsake the work of thy hands. (Psalm 138:8)