3. Information Gathering – This part of the process can be prolonged over the course of months or years. He gathers information from many sources: literature (brochures, books, articles, stories in magazines), personal conversations with Jesuits, meeting positive role models, visiting various ministries and communities, attending discernment events.

If discerning a vocation is anything like getting to know a person in a dating relationship, then the person should take every opportunity to be “pro-active” in seeking out events and encounters with Jesuits so that he can know them better. Information can be both positive and negative – it can move him to desire the vocation deeper, or challenge those desires.