Ask a seminarian

[ChurchSuffering]

Hello all, I am a current seminarian studying at St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, California. I would love to answer any questions anyone has concerning seminary life, discerning a call and anything else you can come up with. God bless you abundantly!

Hello I do have one question that I am concerned about.

I feel that God is calling me to the priesthood, and I know that I will at least try. But I have the feeling that if I do become a priest, that I’m going to miss out on things. Such as a serious girlfriend or marriage. Have you ever felt this? Anything you did/do to overcome it?

 

[Flame_of_Christ]

Hello I do have one question that I am concerned about.

I feel that God is calling me to the priesthood, and I know that I will at least try. But I have the feeling that if I do become a priest, that I’m going to miss out on things. Such as a serious girlfriend or marriage. Have you ever felt this? Anything you did/do to overcome it?

Hi, great question. In fact this is probably one of the normal questions people have who believe they might have a vocation to the priesthood. I have thought it more than once to be sure. I think what helps me the most in overcoming these thoughts is to consider two things: The first is that if God is calling me to the priesthood, then I will be blessed and happy. He calls us to whatever vocation would be best for us, for the kind of person we are. In fact, if I am meant to be a priest, then I won’t be as happy in marriage as I will in my true vocation. This is why discernment is so vital. We need to discover what God actually is calling us to do. the time before and even during seminary is a time of discerning God’s will for your life. If you feel called to give it a try, I recommend that you do. Try to discover His will, which is perfect for you.

The second thing that helps me overcome the thought that I will be missing out on being married is that life is very short in comparison with eternity. If God wants me to be a priest and I refuse his calling, how sad for me! I would rather follow the Lord and be happy for ever.

 

[Cle_GDP_10]

If a young man thinks he may be called to religious life and is in high school, should he enter the college diocesan seminary or go to a good Catholic college?

 

[Flame_of_Christ]

If a young man thinks he may be called to religious life and is in high school, should he enter the college diocesan seminary or go to a good Catholic college?

That’s a really good question. I would say that each person’s situation will be unique. For some one decision would be better than another. I suggest that a young man making that choice should seek the counsel of a wise spiritual director. After a time of getting to know him better, the director could pray and give him advice based on what his particular situation is.

 

[Cle_GDP_10]

That’s a really good question. I would say that each person’s situation will be unique. For some one decision would be better than another. I suggest that a young man making that choice should seek the counsel of a wise spiritual director. After a time of getting to know him better, the director could pray and give him advice based on what his particular situation is.

Thank you for the response! I am in a similar situation. The college seminary in my diocese is excellent, and I would love to study there. However, it would be kind of… awkward?.. to study there, considering it is the diocesan seminary, really meant for men discerning the diocesan priesthood. I would have to meet with the seminary’s spiritual directors (diocesan priests) and explain my desire to join the Dominicans, Franciscans, etc.

If a young man feels more inclined to religious life, it seems like he should just go to a good Catholic college where he can live a life similar to that of seminarians (daily Mass, praying LoTH, Sacraments, Adoration). He can discern the priesthood after he joins the order.

By the way, this is all assuming that the order prefers young men to attend college at least two years before joining. Most religious orders are like that as you know, usually saying the age bracket is like 21-45yrs.

 

[janeway529]

Hello all, I am a current seminarian studying at St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, California. I would love to answer any questions anyone has concerning seminary life, discerning a call and anything else you can come up with. God bless you abundantly!

Hi, I’d like to know more about St. Patrick’s Seminary. Is there a seminary college for undergraduates, or is it mostly for graduate students? Also, what is the curriculum like?