Am I right to be feeling this way?

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ocean321

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Hi
I am currently discerning a vocation to diocesan priesthood and will hopefully begin seminary this year.

Despite being happy to be following my calling I also feel frightened and slightly apprehensive about what lies ahead. Questions roll around my head like will I enjoy it or will it be too lonely for me?

Is this normal? Should I be more joyful or is all this nervousness and anxiety to be expected?

Thank you and God Bless.
 
Becoming a priest has it’s downside, just like any career choice. As for the loneliness, that to can happen. But you would have the support of the people and oher priests. Once you get into the seminary, if you find it isn’t for you, you won’t be forced to continue. But if you finish, and take whatever vows a priest takes, it’s meant for a lifetime. I’ve known several priests since becoming Catholic, and there are all shades and strips. There is even one who has since left the church completely. I would go into detail, but I believe that would be very wrong. It isn’t for me to discourage you, but once you’re there, you’re there. I’ll admit that sometimes the people can be discouraging when they shouldn’t be. The priest that left, he had been called in to combine two parishes into one fairly large parish. He had been at a small parish before that. There was too much snipping and all that put into place, and I feel that that was what pushed him away. But any church you go to may have it’s tensions. So, make sure you’re up for it. But it will also bring with it blessings that you won’t get anywhere else.
 
Well, first of all let me just say that there is no right and wrong about feelings - they just are, and are transient. I like to consider mine as giving me information about what is going on with me. Sometimes this is called reflection :). It is quite normal to be feeling some doubt and anxiety when embarking on an important step in our lives. It helps us get ready for the change and challenge. Best of everything to you. Keep you in my prayers for a while, that you just let God lead you to where he wants you.
 
ocean321 said:
Hi
I am currently discerning a vocation to diocesan priesthood and will hopefully begin seminary this year.

Despite being happy to be following my calling I also feel frightened and slightly apprehensive about what lies ahead. Questions roll around my head like will I enjoy it or will it be too lonely for me?

Is this normal? Should I be more joyful or is all this nervousness and anxiety to be expected?

Thank you and God Bless.
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When discerning a vocation to the diocesan priesthood it is natural to experience periods of time where you are frightened and nervous. The feelings or feer or nervousness in no way calls into question your vocation. It is important to work through it with prayer. I am keeping you in prayer! :signofcross:
 
ocean321 said:
Hi
I am currently discerning a vocation to diocesan priesthood and will hopefully begin seminary this year.

Despite being happy to be following my calling I also feel frightened and slightly apprehensive about what lies ahead. Questions roll around my head like will I enjoy it or will it be too lonely for me?

Is this normal? Should I be more joyful or is all this nervousness and anxiety to be expected?

Thank you and God Bless.
Click to expand...
Praying for your discernment.
 
Believe it or not fear and apprehension are actually positive signs - it means that you’re thinking seriously about your calling and and aware of your own limitations and weaknesses, and thus the need for God’s help.Granted, it’s always difficult to know what lies ahead (and obviously we can’t know for certain) as you place yourself in God’s hands and that’s true not only as you start your seminary formation but also as you progress through it. I think Sunday’s gospel puts it well: do not worry about tomorrow: tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
 
Thanks for the replies.

The above passage is actually one if my favourites from scripture…

I’m placing complete trust in Christ although that’s easier said than done. Moving from one career to seminary formation in the space of a few months is frightening.

How do we know that we are definitely understanding our vocation in life? I mean I do feel called to priesthood I just hope I will always feel this way in the months and years ahead.
 
ocean321 said:
Moving from one career to seminary formation in the space of a few months is frightening.

How do we know that we are definitely understanding our vocation in life? I mean I do feel called to priesthood I just hope I will always feel this way in the months and years ahead.
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Well I guess the short answer is that we don’t and yes, that is certainly frightening! Still, part of a call to vocation is a call to follow Christ even though we have no idea where that might end up taking us. There’s no way of knowing how you might feel in the months and years to come all you can do is walk humbly with God and trust in the guidance of your formators, including your spiritual director, and the brotherhood and support of your fellow seminarians.
 
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