Am I eligble for this calling?

[Godlove]

Hi brothers and sister in Christ,

I’m new to this site and I have a question I can’t solve it on my own,so hopefully I will get an answer to move on with my life.

In Short I’ll explain what is happening.I’m 24 and a little bit late for college due to many reasons but now I amgoing to start college in January.But I’m facing doubt about it because every minute I am thinking that I have to save my soul and do what I have to do to earn a place in Heaven.

The problem arises when I had a very short affair with a woman of 35 years old two years ago and shesecretly pregnant from me.She kept it secret for two weeks and I had to come here Since I was living illegally in Europe.So I made it here and she email me and told me that she is pregnant.I was stressed but accept the truth.After two years,Although I forgive her,I can’t be with her as a husband and wife even if she has a baby from.I rather live alone and have my sanity than going back and sleep with her.

Anyway,I met this woman and done many unGodly things because I was away from God and from his will.But since I came here I have tried to do soul searching and found my self in God and Catholicsim again.Now I read and pray and understand many things.The divin love,God, reveal to me many secrets.Now I am completely different person.Recently though,I am developing amazing thoughts which is that I should do what I have to do to save my soul and to do this I am feeling to go back to my first and only childhood abmtition.Being a a Capuchin Friar as a brother.

It’s not my great desire to be a Priest but a brother to help poor and find love among poor.
So what do you think?Is it possible??I can’t study or do anything at the moment.I need an answer.I’m in limbo.

God bless where he lives in all harmony,peace and unity.

Please help.

 

[Crumpy]

Your question is too personal for these forums. No one can make the decision for you to do what is right.

Nevertheless, it seems fair to say that you shouldn’t run away from your responsibility to your wife and child, if you know that this child is really your child.

My real advice it to seek advice from a priest, in private.

 

[puzzleannie]

Hi It’s not my great desire to be a Priest but a brother to help poor and find love among poor.
So what do you think?Is it possible??I can’t study or do anything at the moment.I need an answer.I’m in limbo.

God bless where he lives in all harmony,peace and unity.

Please help.

as long as you have a child to support and the mother for whom you are also responsible, even if you are not called to marriage with her, your duty lies there, so it is highly unlikely God is calling you to a religious vocation at this time. Do whatever is necessary now to make arrangements for your child’s support. Continue to pursue your education and to grow in maturity, virtue wisdom and life skills. God’s duty will become clear in time if you focus on doing His will in all things. Previous advice is the correct advice, this is not a personal help forum for personal pastoral problems and vocations advice you go to your own priest.

 

[JReducation]

Religious brothers cannot have legal dependents. Your former girlfriend is not your legal dependent, but your child is. The Church does not require that you marry someone whom you do not love. In fact, that can be grounds for a null and void marriage. But if you are the father of a child, that is an obligation that you have. You can remain a celibate man and join one of the many secular orders or some third orders. They will accept you as long as you are in communion with the Church and fulfilling your obligations to your child.

You may want to speak to a vocation director of one of the Secular Orders or one of the Third Orders. By the way, they are not the same. Each community has its own rules and its own formation program and constitutions. So look around. Speak with a good Pastoral Counsellor. They are better trained in this area than a spiritual director. Your case involves family systems as well as vocation. Pastoral Counselors are better trained in family systems and the Christian life than we who are in spiritual direction. We don’t study systems in great depth. We deal more with individuals. We may not have all the answers that are out there.

You are in my prayers.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF