"Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you." John, xv. 16.
In order to know whether he is called by God to the ecclesiastical estate, the seminarist studies the marks of vocation, and gives an account to his director of his actual disposition, and of his conduct before his entry into the seminary.
The principal marks of vocation are—
1. To have no other intention but the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
"I seek not mine own glory." John, viii. 50.
"I have ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain." John xv. 16.
2. To repent of one's sins, preserving in the heart contrition and the feeling of one's unworthiness for a state so holy and so sublime as that of the priesthood.
"My sin is ever before me." Ps. li.
"My heaviness is ever in my sight." Ps. xxxviii.
3. To love the rule of the seminary, observe it exactly, and be very faithful to direction.