At a Crossroads (maybe?) and Needing advice!

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psalm139a

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Hi, everyone,

I’m a college student trying to discern my vocation. I have a hard time imagining myself as a nun, but I haven’t been able to shake the idea since ‘vocation day’ in high school.

The problem is that I’m planning to attend dental school, and if I do, I will graduate with ~130k in debt. Paying it off wouldn’t be a problem were I to work as a dentist full time, but I’m worried I’ll discover that I really do have a religious vocation but won’t be able to join an order because of my massive debt.

I know that nuns in some orders work in the secular world, as doctors, for example. My question is: is it conceivable that I could go ahead with my plans for dental school and if I discern that I have a vocation, work as a dentist-nun?

I really don’t know anyone to talk to about this, so I appreciate any insights anyone can give me.
 
In order to understand the question better, I was curious to know if you are a college freshman, sophomore, etc.?
 
My simple advice…

First…go visit the house of an order of sisters and/or a convent of nuns…those sisters with apostolates to serve others (public arena) or those nuns who are cloistered to some degree…and serve the Lord and the His Church/Body of Christ in solitude out of the public arena.

Second, if after your visit, you still have an enduring sense of peace and joy that lasts well after the visit…I recommend that you then seek vocation guidance from someone…not in the respective order/convent…and then if your joy, peace and desire hold up through out that spiritual guidance…then seek guidance from the spiritual/vocation director from the specific order of sisters or nuns where you found that peace and joy.

Third…and this is really first and continuous…sit with the Lord in the Tabernacle (Eucharistic Adoration if possible) 15-20 minutes everyday…and simply be there with him…listening…not asking…just listening. While there the asking Our Blessed Mother Mary for her intercession in the praying the Rosary would be a great benefit…especially contemplating and meditating on the the Joyful Mysteries.

Lastly…if there is no vocation…and you pursue a dental career…might I suggest another alternative to $130K debt…look into the Military Services for you tuition funding…with a payback of 6-8 years for them paying you tuition bills. If your future patients can withstand those Novocain shots you will be giving as a dentist…and like to give…with the euphemistic words…"…this is going to sting a little bit…" surely, you can withstand serving your Country and those fellow servicemen who make up the combat arms specialties. (forgive my poor sense of humor!).

Pax Christi

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My advice is continue with your plans but also keep on listening to and being open to whatever God has in store for you. If you aren’t meant to be a dentist then, if you are open, God will let you know. I will keep you in my prayers.

JMJ+
~Betsy

Totus tuus Maria!
 
Thanks for the responses, now to address some questions:

I will be going into my senior year of college this fall. Dental school is four years long, so I am feeling very rushed because if I don’t discern my vocation now, I will have to wait until I’m through dental school to do anything about it (dropping out after 1-3 years is almost unthinkable because of the loans I will have to take out to pay tuition). And I am worried that I’d be delayed even longer if I had to pay off my loans first.

It’s hard even to get started discerning, though, because while at times I want nothing else but to give my life to Christ, there are other times when I have difficulty even believing in God at all… which complicates things immensely!

As for the military… it’s something I have seriously considered doing, but it’s not a commitment I want to make before I’m certain of my vocation, since it would entail four years on active duty. Thanks for the suggestion, though!
 
Please don’t feel rushed to find your vocation. God will tell you. You really need to ask and listen. It might help you to find a good retreat this summer. A retreat with some silent time and adoration time. Not just a day retreat either, you really need at least a weekend to get into a retreat. It really helps to quiet yourself down and spend some time with the Lord.
There are religious communities that run rural health clinics for the poor that may have a place for a dentist. Such things are possible. I wouldn’t put it down as inconceivable that you could quit your dental school early. Leave that up to God.
If you don’t get an answer about religious life right now, keep discerning God’s will, but move ahead with your life. If God doesn’t want you to have school debt, let him worry about that.
God bless!
 
Hey Psalm,

What a great situation to be in! You have 2 wonderful possibilities placed before you. On the one hand you can continue pursuing your future career as a dentist. On the other you can grasp the beauty of a consecrated life with God. All you need to do now is decide which path is going to help you become the person God made you to be in the service of His Kingdom. The thing about making decisions is that you need to clarify your values. One of the best ways to do that is by taking on new experiences.

First, you could get some help with your intellectual formation since you still have some ocassional doubts about the faith. Maybe taking a class or enrolling in a Bible study, or even studying some of the classics like CS Lewis’ *Mere Christianity *or listening to *Life is Worth Living *by Fulton Sheen.

Second, along the same lines as Lancers comment, what about checking out one or more communities BEFORE taking on the huge debt that comes with dental school. Even if it meant taking a year off, wouldn’t that make more sense than “wasting” 4 years of your life in dental school and then perhaps even more time “working off the debt” when all you wanted was to become a nun? I mean think about it.

Also there is an organization that helps pay off loans for people who want to enter religious life. I’ve posted it elsewhere and could probably find it again if you need more information.
 
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