Discerning a vocation

[NotThatGuy]

I’m almost certain I’m called to be a Priest, but I don’t know what kind to be, whether Diocesan or Religious Life.

Recently, I’ve become interested in two orders: the Oblates of the Virgin Mary and the Passionists.

Does anyone have any thoughts of either of these two orders? Any experiences with them?

It’s important to me that an order is authentically Catholic, follows the Pope and really preaches the truth faithfully and not willy-nilly.

Any thoughts you can pass along to guide me would be appreciated.

NTG

 

[auntie_me]

Hi NTG,

I’ve attended two churches the Oblates run here in Boston (St. Clement’s, where the seminary is located and St. Francis chapel). I’ve always found them to be faithful priests and authentic teachers of Catholic faith/beliefs, which is why they are my favorite to go to for Confession. I would definitely keep them on your list to contact/visit. God bless you in your discernment!

 

[bilop]

I’m almost certain I’m called to be a Priest, but I don’t know what kind to be, whether Diocesan or Religious Life.

Recently, I’ve become interested in two orders: the Oblates of the Virgin Mary and the Passionists.

Does anyone have any thoughts of either of these two orders? Any experiences with them?

It’s important to me that an order is authentically Catholic, follows the Pope and really preaches the truth faithfully and not willy-nilly.

Any thoughts you can pass along to guide me would be appreciated.

NTG

I’ve also attended Mass at St. Francis Chapel in Boston (Oblates). They seemed solid. I believe they require a seminarian to pay for part of his education, which may or may not be an issue for you.

You should probably start by talking to your diocesan vocation director, and getting a spiritual director. The vocation director can help you find a spiritual director, and can discuess various orders with you.

May God Bless your vocation abundantly!

 

[Bebekoualy]

I’m almost certain I’m called to be a Priest, but I don’t know what kind to be, whether Diocesan or Religious Life.

Hello NotThatGuy!

You know, Diocesan and Religious lives are completely different!
One is quite more apostolic whereas the other one is contemplative.
A priest in a convent wouldn’t have the same life as a priest in a parish, surrounded by current parishioners. One might have an agitated and lively life whereas the other might attend lots of divine offices, make vows, etc. That’s so different!

I think you might go round, and discover any kind of orders, to see different sorts of monk lives.

For example, the Dominicans are much more apostolic than the Benedictines.

I was told that Priest-Monks mostly feared (that’s a joke of course) **women **(who want to get married) and **bishops **(because they wanted to put them into parishes! lol)

Good luck! Go on praying and discerning. That’s worth it!

 

[Poor_Clare_tobe]

I’ve also attended Mass at St. Francis Chapel in Boston (Oblates). They seemed solid. I believe they require a seminarian to pay for part of his education, which may or may not be an issue for you.

You should probably start by talking to your diocesan vocation director, and getting a spiritual director. The vocation director can help you find a spiritual director, and can discuess various orders with you.

May God Bless your vocation abundantly!

Excellent advice. They will be able to start you on your journey. Being a Diocesan priest would be vastly different than an order priest. I am sure that obtaining a good spiritual director, and contacting the vocations director for your diocese will help you in your discernment process. They might also be able to help you to find the closest members of the two communities you mention… I would contact them also and get to know about their way of life from them …[sort of from the people in the know or from the horses mouth so to speak]… Hope this wasnt to redundant… You will be in many peoples prayers as you discern[Mine included]… blessings and good luck!

 

[NotThatGuy]

Hi NTG,

I’ve attended two churches the Oblates run here in Boston (St. Clement’s, where the seminary is located and St. Francis chapel). I’ve always found them to be faithful priests and authentic teachers of Catholic faith/beliefs, which is why they are my favorite to go to for Confession. I would definitely keep them on your list to contact/visit. God bless you in your discernment!

Dear auntie_me,

Thank you for your reply.

Do you know what other word they do up there in Boston?

NTG

 

[NotThatGuy]

Excellent advice. They will be able to start you on your journey. Being a Diocesan priest would be vastly different than an order priest. I am sure that obtaining a good spiritual director, and contacting the vocations director for your diocese will help you in your discernment process. They might also be able to help you to find the closest members of the two communities you mention… I would contact them also and get to know about their way of life from them …[sort of from the people in the know or from the horses mouth so to speak]… Hope this wasnt to redundant… You will be in many peoples prayers as you discern[Mine included]… blessings and good luck!

No it wasn’t redundant and the advice is well-taken, thank you.

I do have this fear that, in looking at various orders, I’m being self-serving in picking out orders that really appeal to me and seem to light a ‘fire’ in me most. I think to myself “perhaps God wants me elsewhere…”, “perhaps I’m being selfish…”, etc.

Do you have any experience for concerns like that?

In general, do you think God wants us to be happy in our vocations–not in the sense that everything is ‘perfect’ but that we’re doing something that generally seems to ‘fit’ us?

NTG

 

[water]

NotThatGuy, God bless you on your discerning. Have you talked to your Spiritual Director or Vocation Director in your diocese yet?

 

[auntie_me]

Dear auntie_me,

Thank you for your reply.

Do you know what other word they do up there in Boston?

NTG

Hi!

The priests are also spiritual directors and do a lot of teaching/retreat work. St. Clement’s is near several universities so a lot of young adults began coming to the shrine. They have programs for 20/30 year olds, a Bible study group, another group I sometimes attend called the Upper Room which is for any age. They run retreats and have a retreat house in Milton. I have attended their day retreats and a weekend course on St. Ignatius’ rules for discernment. One of the priests is coordinating the upcoming Magnificat pilgrimage event in Boston next month. I hope that is helpful!

 

[Poor_Clare_tobe]

No it wasn’t redundant and the advice is well-taken, thank you.

You are so very welcome and I will continue to pray for you of course.

I do have this fear that, in looking at various orders, I’m being self-serving in picking out orders that really appeal to me and seem to light a ‘fire’ in me most. I think to myself “perhaps God wants me elsewhere…”, “perhaps I’m being selfish…”, etc.

I think actually that, that very experience is what helps one to discern the correct community for them. [of course working with your spiritual director is of great importance too]

Do you have any experience for concerns like that?

Yes actually before I took leave of my community to deal with family issues, I was vocations director for our small community.
[God willing my journey will continue before to long]
In general, do you think God wants us to be happy in our vocations–not in the sense that everything is ‘perfect’ but that we’re doing something that generally seems to ‘fit’ us?

To answer all of the above. In my opinion God creates the desire within us to serve him, and so yes I think “God wants us to be happy in our vocations”. He has created each of us in a unique way and placed us to fulfill a unique calling. We all have unique likes and dislikes, desires, abilities even jobs if you will. I used to talk to young women [now to women and men] and share with them some history on the various orders and service to the church. I think we are so very blessed to have the variety we do. In my opinion if one is happy in the order or work one chooses then one is going to be able to share and minister from that joy.
Remember if you will… many orders came about because a founder saw a need and felt a call to meet that. Many saints actually used “happiness” as a criteria for whether or not one was called to their way of life. Not the only criteria of course… but if one is not happy?? can you imagine staying in that way of life?

NTG

 

[NotThatGuy]

NotThatGuy, God bless you on your discerning. Have you talked to your Spiritual Director or Vocation Director in your diocese yet?

Thank you. I have, but not about any order in particular yet.