Thomistic Tidbits: Advice for Discernment

As we celebrate the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas today, let’s learn from his wisdom. Did you know that St. Thomas Aquinas in his Summa Theologica wrote about advice for discerning your vocation? Sometimes we agonize over decisions, making things more complicated than they need to be, according to the Angelic Doctor. Keep on reading to learn more.

Does Discerning Religious Life Have to Take Forever?
Advice from the Angelic Doctor

(Summa Theologiae II-II Question 189)

Discernment of Religious Life can seem like a long and arduous journey for anyone in the midst of it, but Thomas Aquinas claims it doesn’t have to be that complex. He ends the second part of his summary of the faith with a question about whether it is necessary to consult a lot of people and deliberate for a long time before entering religious life. (II-II Q. 189 a.10) His answer: no. You do not need to deliberate for long and consult everyone you know. To him, there are only three things that can be doubtful about entering religious life, and these doubts can be resolved in a straightforward manner.

Before getting into the three doubts and their answers, I have a quick preliminary note. Thomas Aquinas seems to take it for granted that the person considering these doubts feels drawn to religious life in some manner. However, if you have never felt this pull, keep reading anyway. In the directly preceding article, Aquinas says that you “merit a great reward” when you induce someone else to enter religious life. (II-II Q. 189 A. 9) So study up, and apply this to your own life, if applicable. Or share the knowledge with someone else who needs it.

According to Thomas Aquinas, long deliberation and the advice of many are required only in matters of great doubt. The first doubt that Thomas Aquinas allows relating to religious life is whether entering religious life in general is a good thing to do. On this, Aquinas does not quibble long. He simply says that “entrance into religion is a greater good, and to doubt about this is to disparage Christ Who gave this counsel.” While he doesn’t expand this point, this specific article does come at the end of an entire section on religious life, so he probably expected you to have read all of it and figured out by now that entering religion (aka religious life) is a good thing to do. One reason he gives in an earlier section is that “religious bind themselves by vow to refrain from worldly affairs, which they might lawfully use, in order more freely to give themselves to God.” (II-II Q. 184 A. 5) Also, “the religious state is a training school wherein one aims by practice at the perfection of charity.” (II-II Q. 188 A. 1) Additionally, to go back to Aquinas’ point about Jesus recommending it, Jesus did say that some “have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it.” (Mt 19:12)

The second doubt considered is whether the person is strong enough for it. However, Aquinas is quick to assert that “those who enter religion trust not to be able to stay by their own power, but by the assistance of the divine power.” No one is strong enough for religious life, but God gives us what we need to do what He asks. Aside from that, though, if there is a real potential obstacle, such as bodily weakness or a burden of debt, then that person should “deliberate and take counsel with such as are likely to help and not hinder.” To translate this into the modern discernment process, just ask the vocation director of the community which you are interested in. They will be able to tell you whether the potential obstacle you are concerned about is really an issue.

Finally, Aquinas says “we may consider the way of entering religion, and which order one ought to enter.” For this, again, “one may take counsel of those who will not stand in one’s way.” A regular spiritual director would fill that role nicely.

In addition to those three doubts, Aquinas also answers some specific objections. The first one is: But what if I’m wrong, and God’s not really calling me? The answer to this has two important points. First, rest assured that “for him who seeks to enter religion there can be no doubt but that the purpose of entering religion to which his heart has given birth is from the spirit of God, for it is His spirit that leads man into the land of uprightness.” Moving toward God is always a good thing to do. Secondly though, the community “must try the postulant.” So if you feel drawn to enter religious life, that’s from God. Do it. The community will then discern (with your input and continued discernment, of course) if remaining with them is the right direction for you.

The second objection is: But what about advice from family and friends? In answer to this, as harsh as it sounds, Aquinas rightly points out that “friends often thwart our spiritual progress.” Family and friends sometimes give advice that is clouded by their own interests and experiences, even when they have good intentions. Also, religious life is an uncommon call that many people don’t know much about, so family and friends may simply not be informed enough to give helpful advice on this matter. This is why the best guidance will come from those placed in a position to help. Again, this includes spiritual directors, vocation directors, and perhaps other religious who have waded through the discernment process themselves. That doesn’t mean you have to leave your family in the dark. Talk to them about your discernment, just don’t follow all of their advice.

While discerning religious life can be a long, confusing, frustrating process, Thomas Aquinas stresses that it shouldn’t last forever. There are only three things to deliberate on, and he answers one for you already. Religious life is good. He’s so adamant about this fact that he ends this question (and the entire second part of the Summa) by proclaiming, “To those indeed who take this sweet yoke upon themselves He promises the refreshment of the divine fruition and the eternal rest of their souls.” All more specific questions, like where and how, can be answered with the aid of the right people.