There are 741 dioceses and religious orders in the US. Here's the one question you should ask to get that number down to a few.

Nov 14

It seems that in our modern world, there is never a shortage of options to choose from. And the research tells us that the more options, the harder it is to make a choice.

If you're thinking about religious life or the priesthood, it doesn't help to hear that there are around 741 religious orders and dioceses in the United States.

That's right: 741! This includes the 194 archdioceses/dioceses in the American Church, plus some 547 religious orders and monasteries of men and women. While this number shows the great diversity of charisms and ministries of the Church in the United States, for a person discerning religious life or the priesthood it's a number that is both overwhelming and intimidating. One might pause when hearing that number, thinking that it is nearly impossible to choose the right community or diocese. Where does a person even begin?

US Roman Catholic Dioceses | Source: Closeapple, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

There are a few things to remember here. First, that the Holy Spirit is guiding your discernment. Yes, there are many options to consider, but since the Spirit is with you on this journey, this is not the same as choosing toothpaste at Target or a new Bluetooth speaker at Amazon

Yet, there is one question you can ask to get that number down from 741 to a manageable few. A few that you're then able to engage with, visit, and intentionally discern with.

Where are you open to living?

This is an important question; one that people don't often think about as they begin their discernment journey. First, are you open to living anywhere in the United States? If yes, then perhaps you would fit in well with a national community, like the Paulist Fathers. The Paulists minister in parishes across the country, from Boston to Los Angeles, from Michigan to Texas. If that sense of adventure sounds appealing to you, the Holy Spirit is likely inviting you to look into a national community.

While a number of religious orders are located across the country - think Jesuits or Franciscans - they are grouped into regional geographic provinces. When a person commits to a province, they agree to minister within the borders of that province. These might include areas like New England, or the Southwest, or all of California. This arrangement would be for good someone who is drawn to a community's charism, yet feels called to remain in a more regional geographic area.

Many people feel called to serve in a very local and specific area, which means that a diocese is probably the best fit for one's vocation. Let's say you feel called to serve as a priest somewhere in Massachusetts. In that case, there are four dioceses (including one archdiocese) in the state for you to discern your vocation with. Four is a far more manageable number than 741.

This all is a reminder that discernment happens one step at a time, and questions like location can help in this process. Yet, it's important to know that discerning one's vocation is not about shopping for a place to live, a vocation is a peaceful surrender to God's will.

To learn more about the mission - and locations - of the Paulist Fathers, click here. Another wonderful resource is Vision Vocation Network's Vocation Match, a tool that can match you with religious orders based on your interests and preferences