Do you feel called to the priesthood?
For those who might feel God is leading them in that direction, one Catholic priest explained three signs to look for in a viral reel published by Sydney Vocations on Instagram.
In the video, Father Daniele Russo, the Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Sydney, quickly breaks down signs of a potential call to the priesthood and how to recognize them. The caption also encourages the viewer to bring these signs to prayer.
Here are Father Daniele Russo’s three signs you might have a vocation to the priesthood:
1) The Holy Nag
“Sign number one, the holy nag,” he says. “So those who are called might experience thoughts of the priesthood that don't seem to leave them. Thoughts of celebrating the sacraments that seem to persist through time.”
2) An Attraction to the Sacraments
“Sign number two: an attraction to the sacraments,” Father Russo continues. “If we are at Mass or in confession and imagining ourselves as being the one to administer the sacrament– if our love for the sacraments goes beyond admiration into desire for imitation– that could be another sign that God is calling us.”
3) An Increasing Desire for Love
“Sign number three, an increasing desire for love.”
“Saint John Paul II said, 'Every vocation is fundamentally a call to love,’" the priest says.
“But when one is called to the priesthood, their desire to love expands beyond the normal boundaries, especially of family life. Whereas a priest in celibate love is called to love the entirety of God's family, an enlarged heart, an unrestricted love, an exclusive love for God so as to be non-exclusively available to his people.”
Here is the full video below:
Father Russo’s reel generated approximately 117,000 views, over 10,000 likes, and almost 80 comments. Several users even expressed interest in the priesthood after watching the video.
Here’s what some people said:
“I just got back from Mass, and I prayed to God about what he wants from me… Then I saw this video. Is this a sign?” one user asked.
“You just described me,” another person said.
“Extremely blessed to have these signs,” someone else wrote.
“I've got all these signs. May thy will be done. 🙌🙌” another user said.