AHH! There are so many options!

[hamburglar]

First off, let me state that I feel I have a calling, but I do not yet know if it is to be a diocesan priest, or part of a religious order.

But there are SO many orders! I don’t have a clue which, if any, of these would be a good fit for me.

I know that people will always say that I should pray and God will let me know, but am I to expect that I will have some sort of vision where God is like “I see you as a Carmelite Friar”

I feel I need to start somewhere. But I don’t know where. Somebody gave me a magazine about vocations, but now I’m even more confused! I didn’t even know there were that many orders!

 

[Caesar]

Look at the differant religious orders whose charism you can identify with. What do you want to do as a priest? What can you give to the Church by entering this religious order?

I’d be glad to help. Just tell me what you are looking for in a religious order.

 

[hamburglar]

Look at the differant religious orders whose charism you can identify with. What do you want to do as a priest? What can you give to the Church by entering this religious order?

I’d be glad to help. Just tell me what you are looking for in a religious order.

Okay, well, I hope this doesn’t sound bad, but I don’t want to do any kind of foreign missionary work. I don’t need to go off to far off places to help people. I see plenty of opportunities for change in my own neighborhood. And most of the religious orders seem to be focused on helping the poor. While this is great and all, I feel that the middle to upper classes of society are being left out. I come from a family with my father making a 6 figure salary, but I feel left out of any kind of outreach from the religious. Is there anything that focuses on the people in society that have a lot already, but maybe are laking in their faith?

 

[Caesar]

Okay, well, I hope this doesn’t sound bad, but I don’t want to do any kind of foreign missionary work. I don’t need to go off to far off places to help people. I see plenty of opportunities for change in my own neighborhood. And most of the religious orders seem to be focused on helping the poor. While this is great and all, I feel that the middle to upper classes of society are being left out. I come from a family with my father making a 6 figure salary, but I feel left out of any kind of outreach from the religious. Is there anything that focuses on the people in society that have a lot already, but maybe are laking in their faith?

It sounds like you do want normal parish work. Unfortunately, many religious orders today focus on helping the poor and destitute- not that there is anything wrong with such charity, quite the opposite- but forget about people’s souls. The greatest work of the Church is the salvation of souls through administering the Sacraments.

Perhaps you want to work as a parish priest, administering the sacraments, especialy in the celebration of Holy Mass, and teaching the faith. This way you can work with people from all walks of life.

 

[chicago]

Okay, well, I hope this doesn’t sound bad, but I don’t want to do any kind of foreign missionary work. I don’t need to go off to far off places to help people. I see plenty of opportunities for change in my own neighborhood. And most of the religious orders seem to be focused on helping the poor. While this is great and all, I feel that the middle to upper classes of society are being left out. I come from a family with my father making a 6 figure salary, but I feel left out of any kind of outreach from the religious. Is there anything that focuses on the people in society that have a lot already, but maybe are laking in their faith?

You may want to look towards groups like Opus Dei, the Legionairs of Christ, even the Jesuits to some extent which tend to focus their outreach on the “movers and shakers” of society.

Or, as has been noted, if you really want to stay planted where you are and bloom there, then look towards the diocesan priesthood.

 

[Caesar]

You may want to look towards groups like Opus Dei, the Legionairs of Christ, even the Jesuits to some extent which tend to focus their outreach on the “movers and shakers” of society.

Or, as has been noted, if you really want to stay planted where you are and bloom there, then look towards the diocesan priesthood.

Opus Dei is in the habit of using a “dont call us, we’ll call you” approach to priestly vocations. Besides, you have to be a numerary to even be considered, which is a lay vocation. The Jesuits and Legionaries I’d be very wary of.

 

[hamburglar]

Is there anything like where you are a diocesan priest, but you belong to a certain order and focus on a particular issue as well as parish life?

 

[hamburglar]

Is there anything like where you are a diocesan priest, but you belong to a certain order and focus on a particular issue as well as parish life?

 

[Caesar]

Is there anything like where you are a diocesan priest, but you belong to a certain order and focus on a particular issue as well as parish life?

Priests can take on certain issues as a personal endeavor if they wish. For example, a parish priest could devote some of his time and focus to giving lectures on a specific issue or hosting funraising dinners or running youth groups, ect. ect.

Only a few weeks ago I was in an unfortunate situation with my step-father and I was really troubled and didnt know what to do, so I went to Adoration and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the Cathedral and prayed to Our Lord who was residing in the monstrance before me that if He would have mercy on me and allow me to find a sensible solution, and if He would further allow me to be His priest, then I would work to encourage and increase devotion to Him in the Blessed Sacrament.

So if God will have me as a priest, then I intend to uphold my promise when the time comes.

 

[Lovemyfaith]

Is there anything like where you are a diocesan priest, but you belong to a certain order and focus on a particular issue as well as parish life?

There are some parishes in my diocese that are run by religious orders, usually in very poor neighborhoods.
There was a list of Roman Catholic religious institutes on wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_religious_order
274 of them in fact listed. You could start reading up on the different orders. I know some religious orders are known for their education skills, like the orders that run universities.

Some things I can note from priests I have known is that it isn’t as difficult to switch from a priest in a religious order to a dioceses priest, but very difficult to switch the other direction. Also, keep in mind a religious order can send a priest anywhere in the world. That isn’t as likely (though still can happen) with a diocesan priest.
Good luck and God Bless!

 

[chicago]

Is there anything like where you are a diocesan priest, but you belong to a certain order and focus on a particular issue as well as parish life?

There are always third order/secular movements of which one can beomce a member. But, really, the question to ask there is whether that spirituality and focus of ministry is what fits you.

If looking towards religious life, another key factor is whether one is called to the communal life of the brothers.