“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”  (Saint Catherine of Siena)

Consecrated life (also known as religious life) is a state of life in the Catholic Church lived by those faithful who are called to follow Jesus Christ in a more exacting way.

To learn more about Religious Life in the Diocese of Columbus, visit their webpage here.

For resources related to religious life and vocations, consider the books listed below.

The Art of Discernment: Making Good Decisions in Your World of Choices by Stefan Kiechle. Ave Maria Press: Notre Dame, IN, 2005.

Called by God: Discernment and Preparation for Religious Life by Rachael Marie Collins. Emmaus Road Publishing, 2017.

Catholics on Call: Discerning a Life of Service in the Church edited by Robin Ryan, CP. Liturgical Press, 2010.

Discerning Your Vocation: Religious Life & Diocesan Priesthood by the National Religious Vocation Conference, Chicago, IL, 2016.

Discernment: Reading the Signs of Daily Life by Henri J. Nouwen. HarperOne, 2015.

Hearing with the Heart: A Gentle Guide to Discerning God’s Will for Your Life by Debra K. Farrington. Fortress Press, 2019.

In Our Own Words: Religious Life in a Changing Worldedited by Juliet Mousseau and Sarah Kohles. Liturgical Press: Collegeville, MI, 2018.

Listening Hearts: Discerning Call in Community by Suzanne G. Farnham, et al. Morehouse Publishing: Harrisburg, PA, Anniversary edition, 2011.

A Sacred Voice is Calling: Personal Vocation and Social Conscience by John Neafsey. Orbis Books, 2006.