Senior Alex White provides student perspective on the art of practicing vocational discernment
Looking to understand how a variety of students at Notre Dame approach vocational discernment, the Irish Rover interviewed senior Alex White, a theology major from West Virginia. White is a Campus Ministry intern and has spent the last two summers as a mentor for Notre Dame Vision.
Irish Rover: What brought you to Notre Dame?
White: Aside from the sports, great education, beautiful campus, and ROUS’s, I was heavily attracted to Notre Dame’s Catholic identity and character. I wanted to live, study, work, play, and pray with people who were dedicated to and motivated by their faith. The symbolic description of the three tallest buildings on campus—the Basilica of the Sacred Heart (representing faith), the Golden Dome (representing Christian fellowship and ambition), and the Hesburgh Library (representing academics), in that order—was an idea that captivated me and was a model after which I hoped to be able to construct my life.
How would you describe vocation in a general sense?
As generally as I can describe it, vocation is what we do for others with all of the gifts that are ours.
Would you say you have a vocation right now? If so, what is it and how do you live it out?
In terms of the Vocation that I may spend the rest of my life living out—that is, Vocation with a capital V—let’s say that my pond of certainty is murky at best. However, I do feel as though I have a vocation right now. I feel called to be a Christian. That may sound trite or hackneyed, but it’s not. I honestly believe that in each moment of every day, the teachings of Jesus are relevant and stimulating. The things that he said and did inform my interactions with everyone I encounter—at least whenever I’m not mucking it all up with personal sin. I find purpose in Mass, in ultimate Frisbee, in class, on Friday night, on Monday morning, and when I’m doing laundry. In my own experience as a Christian, I’ve found that Christ doesn’t call periodically.
How has your involvement with ND Vision informed your sense of vocation?
My involvement with ND Vision prevented me from making my vocation about myself. It’s often tempting to think along these lines: “What is my vocation? What am I going to do with my life? What is God’s plan for me?” These aren’t horrendous questions to pose, but they promote a worldview in which you are the only world you view. Notre Dame Vision pushed me to realize that my vocation really isn’t about me. Sure, I’ll be the one living it out, but I’m not the one for whom it’s intended. When I feel hungry, I’m called to be bread for others. When I’ve emptied myself for the sake of Christ-the-other, I am most full. The paradox of vocation is that to find yours, it can’t be about you.
Do any of your activities on campus inform your sense of vocation? How?
I am blessed to be an intern for Campus Ministry this year as well as a proud member of the Humor Artists (Notre Dame’s improv comedy club). I have realized a sense of vocation in both groups, albeit in tremendously different ways. I know what you’re thinking, and the answer is no, I am not going to found the company Jokesters for Jesus—though that does have a certain ring to it.
Through Campus Ministry, I have had the opportunity to lead retreats, have sincere discussions, feed the hungry, and celebrate the sacraments. I have realized my own passion for service as well as a sense of direction and purpose. I think that it is essential to be passionate about what you’re doing or else your vocation will smolder instead of blaze; you can’t roast marshmallows over a lukewarm log. Serving others gives me life in abundance, and abundant life is a ventricle in the heart of vocation. Through the Humor Artists, I have discovered and am developing a sense of humor. I love to joke and laugh and be a fool. I hope to bring a humble humor to whatever task is mine. I feel loads of joy, and I want to share it by the load-full. Improv informs my sense of vocation by reminding me of the manner in which I, specifically, am called to serve—with a friendly humor and an infectious joy.
Do you know, or at least have a sense of, what you want to do after you graduate? If so, how did you figure it out?
As far as I can discern, I feel like I’m called to ministry of a sort. That’s more vague than it is helpful, and as specific as I can honestly be. I came to this quasi-conclusion through choosing certain paths and reflecting on what my experience of them was. For example: I studied chemistry, failed physics, and dreaded classes. Upon reflection and prayer, I realized that perhaps neutrons and nursery weren’t for me. Later, I studied theology, led a retreat, shared stories of brokenness and grace, mentored high school students, joined Campus Ministry, and loved it all. Upon reflection and prayer, I felt as though my gifts blended well with the world’s need. I want to work for/within/among the Church.
Do you have any advice for other students at Notre Dame, St. Mary’s, and Holy Cross trying to discern their vocations?
Here is Alex White’s Five Step Process to Discerning Your True Vocation In Life:
- Pray. To realize your vocation, it helps to talk about it with the guy handing it out.
- Ask Your Friends. It doesn’t have to be as blunt as “What do you think my vocation should be?” but it can be! Sincerely ask them what they think you’re good at. Frequently, other people are more perceptive about you than you are. If nothing else, it’ll chuck some meat into the vocation crockpot. Over time, something in that brew may start to smell really good.
- Say No to FOMO. Actively discerning a vocation means actively ruling others out. Realizing that you can’t do everything liberates you to do something. Don’t be afraid of a narrow batch of choices. Just because you can do something doesn’t necessarily mean that you should.
- Try one! Discernment is active, not passive. Date someone, enter the seminary, work at a convent, intern at Goldman Sachs, paint a masterpiece, open a lemonade stand, move to New Zealand. Once you’ve done it, you’ll more than likely know if you want to continue doing it.
- Go to Mass. Do it weekly. Daily. Twice-a-daily. With Father Daley. The miracle of the gift of the Mass does incredible things. It helps us pray, it unifies us, and it humbles us. And a prayerful, integrated, humble person is already closer to arriving at their vocation than she was before.
Michael Infantine is a senior PLS major. When he’s not writing articles for the Rover, he occasionally writes poetry about fictional figure skating leagues. He can be reached at minfanti@nd.edu.
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