Discernment questions about the priesthood

[StatCrux]

I am a confirmation candidate and will welcomed into full communion with the Church in January. I am also privately discerning a vocation to the priesthood. I am still looking at this in a very preliminary way. I am currently a college senior in the process of applying to medical school and expect to get in somewhere. And that is my dilemma.

At most schools you can defer enrollment for one year without having to reapply. I plan on taking a year off to more appropriately discern my call.

I would like to spend that year off discerning in a more structured way. Are there programs that I could still be admitted to for next year? Could I even be admitted considering what a “young” Catholic I am? If no programs exist that I could apply to, I am afraid I would have to make a very difficult choice: do I forsake medical school just for the possibility that I might be called to the priesthood?

Maybe these questions would be better directed at a vocations director, but CAF seemed like a good start.

Thanks,
SC

 

[iviking]

First, if you are 18 or older ages, should in most instances not be a negative factor. Most places would perhaps have you wait two years before you enter, since you are a convert. I don’t know if this is a general rule.

I think it would be a good idea to go to a Ignatian retreat. Could you limit your discernment more? Do you e.g feel called to the secular Priesthood, or Religious Priesthood?

If you are called to the Priesthood, then there is nothing wrong with not taking medschool.

 

[augieboo]

I would like to spend that year off discerning in a more structured way. Are there programs that I could still be admitted to for next year?

Hi Iviking,

First I’d like to say that I admire your willingness to give up year to the Lord for discernment. I’m sure the Lord will bless you many times over for your willingness to take His call seriously. Also, whether you wind up as a doctor or as a priest, I’m sure you will be a better one for the experience.

Secondly, there is an entire religious order devoted to exactly what you are describing. They are called the Society of Divine Vocations. The place where this occurs is called a “Vocationary”, a term coined by Fr. Justin Russollilo, the founder of the order.

“A Vocationary,” Father Justin himself said, “is a religious house where, in a spirit of prayer and study, we educate and guide, free of charge, candidates who wish to dedicate themselves to a life of service to the Lord, but who are not oriented yet towards diocesan priesthood or religious congregations.”

It is also for guys who think they may be called, but are not sure.

Here’s how it works:

1. After visiting as many times as you wish, you go live with them at the Vocationary in Florham Park, NJ.
2. While you are there you live as though you were a member of the order, i.e., praying with them, working with them, etc.
3. They help you discern where your calling is, whether that be to the diocesan priesthood, religious priesthood, other religious life, medicine, or whatever.
4. It costs nothing, except for your time, which you have already indicate a willingness to part with.
5. They are a great bunch of people. I should know. I’ve spent two long weekends up there and loved the place so much that I’m moving up there in early spring. I have family stuff to take care of or I’d be going sooner.

Here is some more from the website:

In the Vocationary, candidates study, pray and discern first of all the authenticity of their calling, under the guidance of the Vocationist Fathers; simultaneously, they are slowly introduced to an adequate knowledge and appreciation of a life of service either in diocesan priesthood or in a religious congregation.

Those who continue showing signs of Divine Call while living in a Vocationary have an opportunity of being exposed more deeply both to the life and ministry of a diocesan priest and to the mission and charisma of the main religious congregations in the Church. Once a candidate reaches his final decision, the Vocationist Fathers make the necessary contact with the diocese or religious congregation that a given candidate has chosen and recommend him to the care of its superiors.

CONTACT INFO:

Vocations Director: Fr. Frank Hreno

franksdv@yahoo.com

Ph: 973-966-6262

Note: Fr Frank tends to have too many things going at once, so if you have any trouble getting hold of him just call and ask for Fr. Michael or Fr. Vernon.

address:
Fr. Justin Vocationary
90 Brooklake Road
Florham Park, NJ 07932

web: vocationist.org/Fathers.htm

 

[StatCrux]

Thanks for the great link. I will definitely check them out.

-SC