17 year old seeking advice on priestly discernment

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Maximilian75

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Been feeling called for a few years now… It’s seemed to intensify this year, though. I think God wants me to go straight out of high school (I’m a junior) but my parents want me to do 4 years of usual college. However, I feel that I may be conflicted by my utter hate of the liberal arts education system… (I.e. How does factoring polynomial help me better serve God). My parish priest, who I have a relatively strong relationship with, has said that if I continue feeling this way, I should tey to persuade my parents otherwise… Advice, thoughts, and prayers all accepted greatfully.

In His Name,
Maximilian
 
Maximilian75 said:
I feel that I may be conflicted by my utter hate of the liberal arts education system
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Philosophy and theology are very much liberal arts. Have you spoken with your Diocesan vocations director? The Church very much needs priests but discernment is a long process.
 
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I 100% agree with that… However, I am learning none of that in high school, which is my one experience of liberal arts. I just cannot see the merit of doing more math and science which I utterly abhor if I’ll never use them in what I believe to be my vocation or even in the exterior world.
 
Maximilian75 said:
I 100% agree with that… However, I am learning none of that in high school, which is my one experience of liberal arts. I just cannot see the merit of doing more math and science which I utterly abhor if I’ll never use them in what I believe to be my vocation or even in the exterior world.
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Part of school is just doing it.

Many seminaries prefer students who have a bachelor’s degree.

And if you understand just how much of God is revealed through Math and Science it may give you a better appreciation of it. One of the best priests I know had an entire career as an engineer and became a priest at 65 after he retired!

And quite frankly, you use way more of that “boring stuff” from school than you think. Being able to understand mathamtical principles so you grasp how compounding interest works is helpful for anyone who owns (like a family) or manages (like a priest) property.
 
Although I don’t like your answer, it makes sense and I can see your logic. Thank you very much!👌
 
Maximilian75 said:
Although I don’t like your answer, it makes sense and I can see your logic. Thank you very much!👌
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Welcome.

Yes, I get that school is boring. There’s alot of unnecessary information because today’s educational system is based on some core principles surrounding a “well rounded” mind. It’s flawed.

That said if anything we need MORE math and science in schools because those principles are (basically) unchanging (unless you get into theoretical physics but that’s a different story).

Most likely, I’m betting you dislike these subjects not because they will never be of use to you but because you’ve had poor teachers. For the most part, the theories currently surrounding the teaching of math and science are abysmal. Have you ever seen the youtuber Vi Hart? She describes geometric principles in AMAZING ways. Watching her encouraged me to try to go back and learn Math as an adult that I didn’t learn because of learning disabilities and poor teachers as a teen.
 
And I wouldn’t even say it’s that… I find the majority of the stuff I’m learning to be interesting enough in the classroom, but homework and testing are just major annoyances. I need to get better at offering up schoolwork to God as well, I guess.
 
Maximilian75 said:
And I wouldn’t even say it’s that… I find the majority of the stuff I’m learning to be interesting enough in the classroom, but homework and testing are just major annoyances. I need to get better at offering up schoolwork to God as well, I guess.
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🤣

I think this is the character building part that I was referring to earlier. See, these experiences are shaping your mind. They teach you to push yourself. It’s not about what you can learn, but how you learn.

While you are learning to balance tests and homework, bullies and bad lunches you are preparing yourself for the future…when you’ll balance researching decisions and paperwork, church councils and bad lunches. 😉

On one hand, after a bachelors, 4 years off, then a masters, I’m glad I don’t have to do any tests…at the same time even as a mom who works from home I see how my skills transfered over. Skills that I didn’t know I was getting while I slogged through “useless” classes.
 
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Would going to a Catholic college for the first four years help? Say Franciscan University or Christendom College?
 
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Yes, and I live in Ohio, so you can’t swing a cat in my parish without hitting a Frannie grad haha. I just don’t want to go through 4 more years of liberal arts college.
 
There is always Mechanical Engineering or Nuclear Physics to consider. 👨‍🔬
 
I’m guessing that your parents won’t accept you studying philosophy. It’s possible to study it outside of discernment here. Another option that may be more relevant, yet acceptable is psychology.
 
Here, young men in their Senior year of high school may decide to enter the discernment house. We make a big deal of it, a “signing day” same hoopla as those who sign sports deals with Universities. Talk to your vocations director at the Diocese, find out what is available for you.
 
I have three friends who have entered the religous life. One has become a monk, two have become priests all of whom are in their early 20s and who I met at college. All three had college degrees and the church was actually greatful for it because it gave them a more educated base. If you plan on becoming a priest do it. If you go to college angle your courses so you will have less work to do at seminary, talk to the church and see what advice they would give you. After all there are minor seminaries amd full blown devout Catholic colleges that might meet your needs and help with your parents worries.
 
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Go to seminary and transfer to a different school later if you discern out. You will have two years of minor seminary that are mostly normal prerequisite classes anyway. I know many people who have done it
 
A pastor is going to be running a small/medium sized business.

One thing that seminary does not teach is basic business administration, accounting, and human resources skills. A business management undergrad degree will make you a better priest.
 
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