About A Year Ago...

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I realized that I’m a homosexual (i.e, I’m 23). That being said, I have a lot of gay friends but I haven’t had sex or a gay relationship, but it does still mean that becoming a priest or a brother is now totally out of the question (i.e. I’ve been in discernment over the past 2-3 years)?
 
Ultimately that is up to the bishop in the diocese where you would be ordained or the religious order you would belong to.

You say you are have been in discernment; do you have a spiritual director or at least a regular confessor? Either would be in a better position to answer your question than anyone here.
 
Bruised_Reed said:
Ultimately that is up to the bishop in the diocese where you would be ordained or the religious order you would belong to.

You say you are have been in discernment; do you have a spiritual director or at least a regular confessor? Either would be in a better position to answer your question than anyone here.
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OK Thanks- all I’ve done so far in that regards was confessing my orientation to my pastor last year (i.e. in confession). I still have yet to tell anyone else in the Church (yes, I have a spiritual director but haven’t met with him lately- he doesn’t know; I’m honestly scared as to what he might say).
 
If you are discerning being a priest I trust that your prayer life is good so I won’t tell you to pray. Trust and obey so you know your true vocation.

And prayers for you and those assisting you.
 
Young_Thinker said:
OK Thanks- all I’ve done so far in that regards was confessing my orientation to my pastor last year (i.e. in confession). I still have yet to tell anyone else in the Church (yes, I have a spiritual director but haven’t met with him lately- he doesn’t know; I’m honestly scared as to what he might say).
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Don’t be scared; there’s nothing to be scared of in God’s plan for you! He has nothing but goodness planned for you, bro. Just tell your director! Discuss it with him. Something I’ve learned in my own discernment (about the same amount of time as you, even though I’m a little younger) is not to let these kinds of things fester. This isn’t something you have to go around telling everyone; but if you think that Jesus is calling you to the priesthood, you should have this out on the table with the proper people.

There are two possibilities:
a) They won’t let you be a priest.
b) They will let you be a priest.

Wouldn’t you prefer to know a) or b) now, before you devote much more time to figuring out whether the priesthood is your vocation?

Btw, after 2-3 years, you’re probably close to applying to the sem. So you want this out sooner than later, I’d think. Besides, it will help your director guide you better. At this point, with my limited knowledge of your situation, and without meaning to be presumptuous, I think there really is no reason to keep it from the few appropriate people who matter in your discernment.

Don’t forget: Jesus is always going to give you enough grace to achieve His mission. If He’s calling you to be a celibate priest, He’ll make it happen! 👍
 
Catechism of The Catholic Church
PART THREE
LIFE IN CHRIST

SECTION TWO
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

CHAPTER TWO
“YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF”

Chastity and homosexuality

2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity,141 tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered."142 They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.

2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.

2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.
Dear brother in Christ,
if you will be CHASTE there is no obstacle that you can’t become holy priest.
In prayers with you,
frater tuus Iacob Attempto
 
Don’t let yourself become down. You absolutely need to detach yourself from these people. Go to confession and attend mass regularly . The good news is that HS is a temptation, not something that can permanently be attributed to you(identity). You may want to thank your guardian angel, it looks like he’s putting up a tremendous battle.

You can help him by staying away from the occasions of sin by finding new friends. Nothing personal in this. While your acquaintances are subject to this affliction, it’s best to stay away for now until you can consolidate your own issues. They will need to do the same.

A more serious problem is your social standing. Now you say you have not fallen for these temptations, that is good, so no scandal can be attributed to you, and no doubt your choice of friends may be questionable to your future congregation. They will have confidence that their parish priest has no scandalous past, all important in this troublesome era.

Before you enter into a religious vocation, as for any capital temptation, you should reconcile these problems before entering, as you need to enter these unblemished and reconciled with the Father. You will be called to have self control while you are tending to pastoral care for those of the same affliction. There should be no doubt that you can handle your own conduct.

I would recommend that you take the next few years and test your resolve. Even better, start a devotion to the Blessed Mother and her Rosary. If you can’t be committed to this, then for sure your prone to occasions of weakness in religious life. A double bonus for you is that she will help you with your temptations.

Good luck.
 
Look into Courage. They are a Vatican-approved ministry for people with same-sex attractions. There may be a chapter near you. They provide support for people to remain chaste, and also support spiritual direction. They could also be a source of new friendships for you.
 
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