Children with vocations

[musicgal4jesus]

I will be telling my mom sometime soon, probably next weekend. I am fairly confident that she sees it coming, but I will let you all know how it turns out.

Hope all goes well, joe!
I’ve haven’t had any experience with this, yet. I believe I have a vocation to the religious life, but I haven’t been able to work up the courage to tell my parents yet. (I’m still in high school, so my “excuse” is that I have time…) But I’m not too worried, since my dad’s brother is a monk, so they should react well. Here’s to hoping!

 

[mdstanzel]

I was called to the priesthood since I was very young. However, I feel like I disappointed God by marrying a non-Catholic woman from a very anti-Catholic family. I wish I had the time to go into it. But one night while trying to push away emotionally from her, a spirit felt calm came over me in a very wild place. I was with one of my soldiers that was also a friend. I can’t explain it. But I was headed to the seminary again with my whole heart. But God gave me this. After leaving the Church to establish peace in our new marriage, I’ve returned with her and our three children. I’ve been living separate from the Church in pain to salvage our marriage, but through several prayers and a lot of unbelieveable miricles, God softened my wife’s heart to honestly seek Catholicism as the solution for her very turmoild Church of Christ background.

Now my 12 year old talks like he wants to be a priest. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. I’m praying to complete my faith formation in the diaconate in the future. The story gets long but is very inspiring. I feel that God is helping me complete a vocation that I began many years ago and that ended in turmoil over a very bad priest while I was in seminarian formation. It broke my heart and led me to doubt many of the things I was taught. But through the grace of God, I’m, no we’re back. Praised be to God. Amen.

 

[Evangel]

Few parents today understand that their primary obligation is to raise saints. (Heck, apparently many parents don’t even understand their secular obligations towards their kids.)

 

[mdstanzel]

Few parents today understand that their primary obligation is to raise saints. (Heck, apparently many parents don’t even understand their secular obligations towards their kids.)

Very true. I could harp on this but I prefer to try to set an example by words and deeds.

 

[Denae]

Hey, I’m new here, but this seems like a good place to start. I’m an eighteen year old girl discerning a vocation to the religious life. When I told my mom about it when I was sixteen,( she is a Lapsed Catholic) she told me I didn’t have enough life experiences to even think about it. She insists I will get married and have a lot of kids, she said that God has given her many dreams of me getting married, so I will get married…(Silly, I know but that’s my mom) and that I would ruin her chances of having grandbabies if I became a sister. (both of my sisters are moderatly/severly autistic so I’m the only shot) My father is pretty much anti-catholic, so he isn’t supportive…argh. Even though I know I’m of age, it’s still really hard…It stinks knowing that your parents don’t support you in something that could potentially be your calling from God.

 

[paramedicgirl]

Hey, I’m new here, but this seems like a good place to start. I’m an eighteen year old girl discerning a vocation to the religious life. When I told my mom about it when I was sixteen,( she is a Lapsed Catholic) she told me I didn’t have enough life experiences to even think about it. She insists I will get married and have a lot of kids, she said that God has given her many dreams of me getting married, so I will get married…(Silly, I know but that’s my mom) and that I would ruin her chances of having grandbabies if I became a sister. (both of my sisters are moderatly/severly autistic so I’m the only shot) My father is pretty much anti-catholic, so he isn’t supportive…argh. Even though I know I’m of age, it’s still really hard…It stinks knowing that your parents don’t support you in something that could potentially be your calling from God.

Welcome, Denae. I will pray for your vocation tonight.

 

[Denae]

awwww…thank you! :bounce:

 

[Titus]

Hey, I’m new here, but this seems like a good place to start. I’m an eighteen year old girl discerning a vocation to the religious life. When I told my mom about it when I was sixteen,( she is a Lapsed Catholic) she told me I didn’t have enough life experiences to even think about it. She insists I will get married and have a lot of kids, she said that God has given her many dreams of me getting married, so I will get married…(Silly, I know but that’s my mom) and that I would ruin her chances of having grandbabies if I became a sister. (both of my sisters are moderatly/severly autistic so I’m the only shot) My father is pretty much anti-catholic, so he isn’t supportive…argh. Even though I know I’m of age, it’s still really hard…It stinks knowing that your parents don’t support you in something that could potentially be your calling from God.

Gosh Denae, that does sound very distressing. Pray for your parents, and remember- they don’t have to live the life, you do. Make the choice that God wants you to, or you’ll regret it. They’ll come around, I reckon, once you’re in vows. You are of course in my prayers.

 

[mdstanzel]

Denae,

There are many things going on here. First your mother has a predetermined idea of what she wants for you, but maybe really just herself. She strongly hopes that you will seek a life that she wants. She may have issues that she has never talked to you about. Second, there are some circumstances that may require you to take care of your parents, similar to a vocation. But that’s not clear here. Apparently you’ve been spending at least a year or two thinking about this. If you feel a burning desire to devote your entire life to Christ, the peace will never subside unless you answer the calling. You should follow where God leads you. The religious life is not for the weak at heart so make sure you seek this out carefully. Set some time aside for a serious length of time in retreat to contemplate Gods will in your life and dedicate several hours per day praying, meditating and listening. I recommend Eucharistic adoration. This will definitely help you find your way and stand on your own when you’re ready.

If life spins you around and you end up getting married, as I did, don’t get discouraged all together. The married life is a vocation. There are other vocations that would allow you devote your life at being a very good daughter to your parents, dedicate excellence at your work, be the best mother, i.e., being the best you can at the ordinary life with the everyday mundane things. Opus Dei is one organization dedicated for such persons. Don’t believe that non-sense on the Da Vinci Code. That’s just a lie made up to sell books and movie tickets. Opus Dei is a wonderful way of following a vocation. They have a website. Google it. There are also 3rd order secular married groups (Franciscans, Benedictine, Carmelite) on this board that you can devote your life too. But those are organizations that require being married to the right person to make it work. These are alternatives that you may find helpful.

But in the end, you have to make the decision in spite of your parent’s wishes. Seek a spiritual director with your thoughts. I began seeking my vocation as a senior in high school. I just found out that I scored very high on a vocation inventory that says I scored higher than most for the priesthood. Well, I’m married with 3 children and I think the test is for any vocation. So I am looking into the diaconate at the age of 45. So you still have time. Don’t rush anything. God brings you, you need to listen. But don’t waste you life on silly stuff that just puts it off. Do some research on your own. You have to know this is what you really desire. Life experience can make for a better vocation so don’t think that you have to do it right away unless you’re that determined. Most, if not all, orders provide a trial periods that allow you time to see if it’s a good fit for you and them. Begin your journey by looking up the vocations director in your parish. Don’t let family get in to way. However don’t forsake the needs of your parents. Grandchildren do not qualify as a must. The scriptures say the children are a blessing, not a possession.

 

[Denae]

Mdstanzel, thank you for the advice. Good luck with maybe entering the diaconate. I’m still discerning, but I feel most called to be a Sister. I feel especially drawn to the Fransiscan Sisters Minor. So I’m going to be spending some time with them and do a few “Come and See” retreats and stuff. I may be called to marriage! I may be called to the single life! But I won’t really “Know” until I look.

By the way, I know the stuff about Opus Dei. I know someone in it, so I have done the research.

I really appreciate the advice though. I know that I have to do what God calls of me. I won’t be at peace until I do. I know in the end that ultimatly, I need and will be doing God’s will, and my family can’t stand in the way of that…God bless!

~Denae~

 

[mdstanzel]

Sounds like you already have it together. I think is wonderful. I hope that my little girl grows up to become a sister too. Our parish pastors are Franciscan. My oldest son thinkg he wants to be a Franciscan Friar too. We’ll just have to pray about it because he really is very young.

God bless you and keep you close to His heart on your journey.

 

[Denae]

Aww thank you!!