Attraction or Interest
A person feels a mysterious attraction to the idea of a serving God as a priest, or religious. He feels in his heart that he was made for something different than others, that he is somehow invited to a deeper relationship with God and the Church.
It may begin as a desire, or an attraction to religious things. Where does the attraction come from? Ultimately, the desire is from the Holy Spirit. Other things help stir the flame of desire: the witness of committed Jesuits in ministry, various promotional events and programs that are supported by families, schools, parishes, Serra Clubs, homilies, articles, books, websites. In addition, vocational attraction results from personal prayer, relationships (seeing or meeting a Jesuit, knowing someone who responds to a call, personal conversation, recommendation of someone), reading literature, surfing the web, hearing something in a homily, etc.
The person is moved to seek information, clarification, and assistance with the decision-making process. As the process moves forward, the person engages at deeper and deeper levels his interest and desires. He also begins step by step, to test his own identification with the values and life of Jesuits whom he may know.