Do you feel called to the priesthood? Complete this self-evaluation to see where you stand.

Examining yourself using the 20 qualities or signs below is a good way to begin discernment of priesthood. On each of the items, rate yourself on a scale of 0 – 5. A rating of 0 means you do not possess the sign at all. A 5 indicates that the sign is very evident in your life. The highest possible score is 100. Be completely honest with yourself and rate yourself fairly.

____1. I love Jesus Christ and I have a thirst to bring Jesus and his teachings to the world.
____2. I am endeavoring to be a believing, practicing Catholic Christian.
____3. I am trying to live a life of prayer and I desire a life of prayer.
____4. I am trying to serve others and I desire a life of service to others.
____5. I feel a desire to be a priest, though it is sometimes stronger than at other times.
____6. I have had others tell me that I should be a priest or that I would make a good priest.
____7. Prayerful reading of Sacred Scripture leads me to believe I might be called to be a priest.
____8. I am endeavoring to live virtuously.
____9. I like to be around people and I have sufficient social skills to engage others.
____10. I have enough intelligence to complete graduate-level coursework and function as a priest.
____11. I think that I have the physical, emotional and psychological stability to become a priest.
____12. I am joyful and I have a good sense of humor.
____13. I think that I have a “priest’s heart.”
____14. I believe that I have the self-mastery to be a good priest.
____15. Generally speaking, I have demonstrated stability in life style.
____16. People who know me would say I am a Christian gentleman.
____17. I have had events happen in my life that seem to be signs pointing towards priesthood.
____18. I am usually able to accept both success and failure without losing my peace.
____19. I believe that I have a healthy psycho-sexual development and orientation.
____20. I am trying to be truly open to the will of God for my life.

_____Total

Tally up your score. Looking good? Email Father Raney, Vocations Director at rjohnson@sjbcathedral.org. In the meantime, pray that God will help you to develop the qualities that need strengthening. This will make you a much better Catholic man, even if you are not called to become a priest.