30+ year olds discerning priestly vocations?

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One of the previous threads about vocations to the priesthood prompted this new thread. I noticed most of the men discussing their priestly vocations are very young (18 to 23). God bless them! As an “over 30” male still discerning a possible call to the priesthood I was just curious if there are any older men (30+) out there still discerning a possible call to the priesthood and their advice/struggles.
 
Hey. I just turned 30 last month. I have noticed that almost everyone on here talking about a vocation are younger too. At first, I did not know if I should anwer the threads. But I do.

I haven’t met any resistence about my age though, thank goodness. But I am so glad that I have finally made the decision to stop putting everything else in front of this calling, no matter how hard I tried to stay focused on other things, it stayed around.

How about you, why the decision to focus on the vocation now vrs. before?

Seth
 
I haven’t got a vocation for the priesthood (most noticeable through my constant wearing of skirts and make-up 😃 ), but we have in our diocesis several men 30+ studying or discerning this vocation. Even if in your local diocesis, they hesistate to accept “older” voccations, others wouldn’t necessarily agree with them. Actually, our parish priest received the sacraments with 50+, when he retired from his teaching job, but he was permanent deacon before
30 isn’t really that old 😉
 
In my diocese (Archdiocese of NY) several Priests in their 40’s have been ordained recently. They must have still been discerning in their 30’s. I think it is increasingly common, as people in general are delaying making life changing decisions, marriage, career, etc. (especially in NY). So don’t be discouraged. If your diocese doesn’t want you, there are plenty that do.

May God Bless you in your discerment.
 
I am 40 years old and in the Novitiate.

I think that dioceses are a bit more open to taking older candidates for the priesthood as they are not totally responsible for the retirement of the individual.

Most religious orders have a cut off age of 35, I have even seen a few with 25. Many orders will not even enter into a conversation with an individual who is over 35. I thank God daily that I found one of the few orders that lists their maximum age as “40 but will will talk with those older”.
 
It’s interesting that you find so many religious orders have a cut off at 35. I’m sure there are good reasons. I’m actually 36 but it’s taken me this long to realize this possible calling. It’s only in the last 10 years that I have rediscovered my Catholic faith. Maybe it’s taken me this long to rid myself of all my worldly attachments and the other things I’ve been chasing in my life to find happiness.
Did you guys just know? It’s only recently that I have been feeling a stronger call but there’s some anxiety there. It’s almost like I came to a realization that this is what God has been calling me to all along and I’ve been too stubborn or afraid to really open myself up to it. Maybe the fact that I still have my fears and doubts at this age is a sign that it’s not what I am called to. On the way home from work today I was listening to Catholic Answers on EWTN radio and one of the apologists said that those that God calls to the priesthood BECOME priests. Those in the world that are not priests but think “I wonder if I was supposed be a priest”? he said were just not called. I had never heard anyone say that before but I guess it makes sense. Not sure what this means for me. I do know that, through this whole process and the years I’ve spent getting grounded in my faith will better suite me for any vocation I may be called to even if it’s not the priesthood. JPII’s Theology of The Body has completely changed my outlook on women, sex, marriage, celibacy, life. I don’t know how anyone can discern a vocation without this knowledge.
Sorry for the rant. Please add your thoughts and thank you for the replies. I’ll check out that book. Keep me in your prayers and I will do the same.
 
Men over an the “upper age limit” of some orders or diocese, need not be discouraged.

In fact, they should consider it a small blessing in disguise. Of all the places to serve as a priest, if you are called, these limits in fact may help in narrowing down the discernment process.

So you can’t choose from “Column A”? Just means you could be meant to be looking at “Column B”.

I admit it, I love to see the photographs of the growing orders packed with young folks… But a priest is a priest and he is called when he is called where he is called. I knew a fellow from Alabama - ex-Marine, ex-small business owner, widower, convert, father of two adult children, (now grandfather!). (His youngest child was in her last year of grad school when he was in semiary - just two college kids together!)

He had a long and winding path to the altar, but the Holy Spirit seemed to be guiding him, for all that life experience gave him amazing insight that someone who was 18 when they enetered a formation program never had.

Also, we just never know where we will be called to end up… One pastor of mine growing up in the Polish Community in the Archdiocese of Chicago never dreamed during his seminary years he would end up being a Greek Catholic priest in Ohio… or that his brother would be serving as a priest in the Archdiocese of Luxembourg!

God is not cruel. If there is a call, there is a place to fit in. If you have it, you will find it! Could be in Timbuktu, but it is your place, wherever that place is.
 
We sometimes hear stories about priests who knew it was their destiny to recieve Holy Orders when they were barely old enough to walk. This is somewhat of a fairy-tale, and need not discourage those who are older and discerning a vocation.

We must remember that the great St. Augustine was ordained a priest at the age of 37, and St. Jerome at the age of 32. St. Augustine especially is an example coming late to the priesthood and the faith in general, since he was baptised at the age of 33.

There are numerous other examples one can read about that are sure to inspire.
 
Sacred Heart Seminary in Hales Corners, WI and Blessed John XXIII Seminary near Boston exclusively train men who are older, so clearly you’re not the only one in this position.

Also, take encouragement from the example of Fr. John Corapi, who entered seminary at almost age 40. Why don’t you contact his congregation, SOLT:

solt3.org/

P.O. BOX 152
Robstown, Texas, 78380
Phone: (361) 767-9567

Let us know what you’re thinking…
 
there are some seminaries, the Sacred Heart in Hales Corner Wis. is, I believe one of them, who “specialize” in “mature vocations” (oldies but goodies). An older man would go to his diocesan vocations director for help in diserning his vocation and may be referred to such a seminary. Each bishop has his preferences. We discussed here not too long ago religious orders that accept and encourage older men as well. Half the priests ordained here in the 5 yrs. I have been here have been pushing 40.
 
I too am 30 and in discernment. It’s wonderful to have priests enter seminary out of high school, knowing definitively that they are being called, but I think later vocations are wonderful as well. I was too immature in my early 20’s to even consider entering seminary, but after experiencing a career, and gaging the ‘pulse’ of the secular world, I think that has been a wonderful grace, and will certainly be a valuable experience to carry with me into the priesthood if that is where God is calling me.

I’m currently being held back by fear, but have been prayerfully fighting that fear, and asking for the courage to take that next step. After all, if I am being called I at owe it to myself - and more importantly, to Christ - to at least explore the possibility.

Just remember - God’s timing is perfect - let’s not let age get in the way of our calling!
 
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