Attitude Entering the Seminary

[JesusSaves17]

so I’m curious, if the seminarions and ex-seminarians on the board could chime in. What was your attitude entering the seminary, and what was the end result? And if you left, how come?

By attitude, I mean like:

“I can’t wait to go to the seminary! I know this is my calling for sure.”

or “I feel I may be called to the priesthood and I’d be happy doing that.”

or “Fine, God, I’ll try it out because it keeps nagging at me and I fear I may always wonder what if, but I kind of hope it’s not my calling.”

or whatever your own personal experience was.

 

[Dave]

As somebody entering seminary this September for the first time (praise God!), I’ll say that I’m extremely excited, albeit a bit nervous and apprehensive.

Leading up to the time I decided to apply, I experienced all the points you’ve listed - mostly fear and a feeling of unworthiness. I also felt like I was finally just ‘giving in’ to what I believed to be God’s call after struggling with the idea for many years. But I’ll say this - as soon as I made the decision to apply - a very difficult decision - God has removed all of those doubts (for the most part), and I’m quite at peace with it, and looking forward to entering at the end of the summer!

God Bless!

 

[Allen537]

I remember when I first entered the seminary, which was more than three years ago now. I was very excited but also nervous, embarking on a path that was going to be difficult, but very rewarding and fulfilling.

If there is one thing I can warn future seminarians about, and also remind current seminarians about; it is that discernment does not end once you enter the seminary. I have met too many men (myself included) who have the mindset that “if I am in the seminary then I must be called to be a priest”. While for many it may be true, for others it is not. When in seminary, it is of the utmost importance that the seminarian keep a “spirit of discernment”, which to me means always being open to the way in which the Holy Spirit moves you.

Take me for instance. I was a diocesan seminarian for two years. When I entered I had no desire whatsoever to consider religious life: I was called to be a diocesan priest. I could not have been more wrong. It took me two years of prayer, discernment and growth to realize my vocation was indeed to the priesthood, but only in the context of a religious order. Had I entered the seminary and lived with a “spirit of discernment” as opposed to being dead-set on my first inclination, I probably would have realized my vocation much earlier.

Another issue that plagues seminarians the mindset with which many enter (myself included). Mainly, the mindset that formational expectations are merely “hoops” that I need to jump through in order to get ordained. Formation programs at the seminary are designed to help you to grow as a person and help you to become a true follower of Jesus Christ! Be open to the formation: take the advice, criticism, admonishments of you directors seriously, they are there to help you grow, let them help you!

So my advice to future seminarians is to be very excited about entering the seminary! Also be humbled by that call. Remember that seminary is only the beginning of your discernment, not its conclusion. Develop a solid prayer life and relationship with Jesus Christ, always be open to what he is asking you to do through the inclinations of your heart. I found my time in the seminary to be the best time of life…I am sure you will also!

If anyone has any questions about this or any other aspects of seminary life, or just wants to talk about their vocation please feel free to Private Message me anytime!

In Carmel,

Br. Allen

 

[Cory_Sticha]

Well, I guess I’m on the “ex-seminarian” category. When I first entered the seminary, I think that my response was best described as:

“Fine, God, I’ll try it out because it keeps nagging at me and I fear I may always wonder what if, but I kind of hope it’s not my calling.”

I really wasn’t sure what God had planned for me, but I felt like I needed to at least spend a year at the seminary. Part of me was still resisting the call, as I was doing a job that I enjoyed and receiving a decent paycheck for doing it. Throughout my first year, I kept checking out the job search websites to make sure that I still had an escape route if this priesthood “thing” didn’t work out. It took me about 3-4 years of seminary before I developed a level of certainty regarding the call to the priesthood. During my first year, I didn’t even want to admit that I was studying for the priesthood. I had way too many conversations that went like this:

“So, what do you do?”

Me: “I’m a college student.” (I was attending college seminary at the time)

“Really? Where at?”

Me: “In Oregon.”

“Oh, wow. I’m from there (or have been there, or know someone from there). What part?”

Me: “It’s near Salem, OR.”

“I know that area. What school?”

Me: “Umm…Mount Angel. It’s a coughCatholic seminarycough.”

“Oh, are you going to be a priest?”

Needless to say, those were quite uncomfortable conversations, but they did help me to gain confidence in myself and my vocation.

 

[Charles_A_Rose]

I was a former Franciscan Brother and left. I received my degrees in teaching. Later on, I went back to a seminary in Columbus, Ohio and was a first year theology student. I personally did not like the attitudes of the priests and I saw a lot go on that should have not. I would ask several men why they were there and they said because they had no job, their tuition was paid for and books, they had a roof over their head ansd hospitilazation. Now, are these good motives. NO. They have lied to themselves, to their vocation director and to the seminary. If these men are to be ordained, do you think they are going to be happy? NO. Somewhere along the line, I believe they will leave because they had the wrong intentions. There is something I will never understand, why they are allowed to be ordained? Because of their reasons, I would call them “impediments.” This is why I left because I saw so much and it was run like politics. I badly wanted to be a priest, but I did not have the encouragement of the vocation director and the bishop didn’t have any interest. YOu can live a good life as a layperson and be involved in your church ministries. As they say, “Many are called, but few are chosen.”
I was real good friends with this deacon. He knew I taught high school English, so I would proof read his papers. Well, after several years, I contacted his vocation director, and after being ordained for a short period of time, he left the priesthood, got married in a non Catholic Church, and now is divorced. My complaint is that many or I might as well say all dioceses do not let older men study for the priesthood which I think is wrong. They have special seminaried for the older student. To be truthful about it, one priest told me that the bishop does not want to invest in an older person’s education and pension plan. I really belive this priest was right. I left because as I said there were so many politics, being being voted to stay which they should have not been, but it is like any thing else, it is who you know and NOT what you know. Please pray for me as I struggle with this situation. Charles A Rose

 

[Charles_A_Rose]

I was a former Franciscan Brother and left. I received my degrees in teaching. Later on, I went back to a seminary in Columbus, Ohio and was a first year theology student. I personally did not like the attitudes of the priests and I saw a lot go on that should have not. I would ask several men why they were there and they said because they had no job, their tuition was paid for and books, they had a roof over their head ansd hospitilazation. Now, are these good motives. NO. They have lied to themselves, to their vocation director and to the seminary. If these men are to be ordained, do you think they are going to be happy? NO. Somewhere along the line, I believe they will leave because they had the wrong intentions. There is something I will never understand, why they are allowed to be ordained? Because of their reasons, I would call them “impediments.” This is why I left because I saw so much and it was run like politics. I badly wanted to be a priest, but I did not have the encouragement of the vocation director and the bishop didn’t have any interest. YOu can live a good life as a layperson and be involved in your church ministries. As they say, “Many are called, but few are chosen.”
I was real good friends with this deacon. He knew I taught high school English, so I would proof read his papers. Well, after several years, I contacted his vocation director, and after being ordained for a short period of time, he left the priesthood, got married in a non Catholic Church, and now is divorced. My complaint is that many or I might as well say all dioceses do not let older men study for the priesthood which I think is wrong. They have special seminaried for the older student. To be truthful about it, one priest told me that the bishop does not want to invest in an older person’s education and pension plan. I really belive this priest was right. I left because as I said there were so many politics, being being voted to stay which they should have not been, but it is like any thing else, it is who you know and NOT what you know. Please pray for me as I struggle with this situation. Charles A Rose