Hence he who wishes to ascertain the state of life which he should embrace ought to keep himself constantly in the friendship of God: "Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you."
[3.] Humility.
"Every proud man is an abomination to the Lord." "God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble." "The prayer of him that humbleth himself shall pierce the clouds; and he will not depart till the Most High behold."
[4.] Retreat.
God loves to communicate His choicest favors in the silence of retreat: "I will lead her into the wilderness and I will speak to her heart."
If you cannot make a regular retreat, at least avoid all dissipation of mind; retire into the solitude of your heart, after the example of St. Catharine of Siena and other saints, always remembering that God is near you and that He wishes to speak to your heart.
[5.] Counsel.
"My son, do thou nothing without counsel, and thou shalt not repent when thou hast done."
Your best adviser is your confessor. Through his own vocation he receives special helps from God.
To know and to do God's will in the choice of a state of life is a grace which parents should earnestly invoke upon their children even from infancy; and it is important that the children themselves, especially from the time of their First Communion, should daily ask of God the grace to know their vocation.