Are you glad you did not leave seminary/religious order?

[withwind]

In our diocese, we have 3 men leaving seminary this summer. I hope that this could be a good thing for them to do if they have discerned carefully…I don’t know.

Another seminary whom I know will be ordained as a deacon this year told me that he thought about living seminary about 4 times but he determined to stay and he is very happy now.

For priest, brothers, sisters, nuns, and seminarians, what are your advices on perseverance?

Thanks!

 

[RevDrNorth]

In our diocese, we have 3 men leaving seminary this summer. I hope that this could be a good thing for them to do if they have discerned carefully…I don’t know.

Another seminary whom I know will be ordained as a deacon this year told me that he thought about living seminary about 4 times but he determined to stay and he is very happy now.

For priest, brothers, sisters, nuns, and seminarians, what are your advices on perseverance?

Thanks!

It obviously needs discernment and should involve the wise counsel of others (e.g. spiritual director). However, in general in life, it is often a good idea to work through these things. There have been different times in my life where I have considered quitting school or one activity or another. I persevered and it was well worth it. Whatever stressors or doubts were in my life at that point passed. Had I quit I would not have had a certain degree, or an opportunity for service, etc. Fears, stress, doubts and so on are a natural part of life. Getting off the track rather than running through the mental block can be a mistake.

People sometimes make the mistake of thinking “if only”…“I was called and chose to be a Priest but if only I were married my life would be complete”. On the other hand there are people in marriages (sometimes bad ones) who think “if only I had not married this person then my life would be better”…OR…“if only I had followed my call to be a priest or religious”.

 

[turtle18]

It is always easier to think the grass is greener on the other side. A lot of people (not just seminarians/wayward priests) idealize marriage.

However, our Archbishop says that true discernment does not begin til one enters the seminary/monastery/religious life. Just because you enter, doesn’t mean you are going to become a priest

 

[withwind]

It is always easier to think the grass is greener on the other side. A lot of people (not just seminarians/wayward priests) idealize marriage.

However, our Archbishop says that true discernment does not begin til one enters the seminary/monastery/religious life. Just because you enter, doesn’t mean you are going to become a priest

That is correct. Are you currently in seminary? Is there anytime you think about leaving?

 

[withwind]

However, in general in life, it is often a good idea to work through these things. There have been different times in my life where I have considered quitting school or one activity or another. I persevered and it was well worth it.

Perseverance is so important. At a meeting last night, 2 seminarians told me about Eucharistic Adoration helped them have a peaceful mind/heart in making the right decision .