Discerning the Priesthood yet Confused

[DiscerningCatholic02]

I have been discerning the Priesthood for over a year and I’ve grown very serious with it. I have decided to enter seminary when I finish schooling elsewhere but I am plagued with so many other feelings and nudges pushing me in other directions. Case and point, I have decided to not date but there is a girl that I have become emotionally invested in and we both share unspoken attraction to each other. We both are very practicing Catholics so it’s not an unhealthy attraction just unwanted at least at my behalf. I also struggle with feelings that I’ll never be good enough for a family or a parish family and it can lead to DEEP depression. My mental health has been getting worse it seems almost because of my discernment. I am fittingly confused and I need advice.

 

[rosejmj]

I think you need to be seeking out regular spiritual direction and maybe therapy to sort out everything. It seems you have self esteem issues which may have there root in something else. Also discernment t is important, and marriage is still a possibility

 

[Trishie]

You do have feelings of unworthiness that need to be addressed and balanced before you make any big decision or commitment for your life, and that includes priesthood.
Before you do, you are unlikely to be abe to make a clear, wise decision.

That you feel drawn to considering the priesthood … you also need to look at why, and how realistic you are in understanding the challenges of priestly life, a lifetime of that commitment.

I don’t wish to discourage a genuine vocation, but unless a person really knows themself, and can be comfortable with themselves, not judgemental about themselves;
and really understand the life, not just aspects of it,
he or she can’t really make a truly informed decision. Life is real, and very long.

Please stop judging and criticizing your poor self! If you can’t, please seek advice or help, to learn to discover how God who loves and greated you sees you, not with your critical lense, but with His creative, redemptive love.
In any case insted of pondering alone, please seek a wise priest and talk very honestly about your possible vocation, and your thoughts and doubts about yourself.

May God guide and lead you.

 

[HopkinsReb]

You ever listen to the Clerically Speaking podcast? Do so, particularly their episodes about the priesthood and dating. They say some things that may surprise you.

 

[edward_george1]

The short version of my vocation story is that I heard God calling me to the priesthood because I was praying for the conversion of my girlfriend.

Be not afraid. God will make it clear to you in whatever way you’ll listen.

As for what you say there at the end about your mental health worsening, you need to deal with that appropriately in order to have any kind of foundation for discernment and formation. You don’t say how old you are or what year in school, but you should at this point be patient, take your time, and take care of yourself. Everything will become clear in God’s time.

-Fr ACEGC

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

The director of one of our seminaries in this area encourages his young men to go on a date or two (or more). The idea being, as others have said, that you can’t discern your vocation until you really, honestly know yourself. Seek some spiritual direction, find some counseling as needed for your emotional and psychological issues, and don’t worry/stress so much about exploring your life however the Spirit may guide you.