Discernment

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I was wondering whether anyone has been motivated to study for the priesthood by feelings of guilt - that’s the stage I find myself in. I have a service-oriented job that I really enjoy and that allows me to use certain gifts of mine very specifically that I would not be able to use, it seems, as a priest. When I graduated college five years ago, I was accepted into a seminary, but dreaded it the whole summer beforehand and ended up dropping out right after orientation. Although I love the Church and the mass and sometimes think of myself doing the things of a priest, I fear being trapped under the vows of the priesthood and wish I could just stick with my current career. The fact that I am single and love the Church, and have been told to become a priest, though, makes me feel I have an obligation to do so. I would be anxious to hear any (name removed by moderator)ut from those in similar situations.
 
Hey there,

It sounds like you’re having a tough time with this. If so, I’m sorry to hear that. I’ll be praying for you.

My recommendation (and this is what I tell everyone) is talk about this with a spiritual director. Find a good priest that you can trust and tell him everything you’ve just told us. Don’t hold anything back or lie about anything. Be ready to think deeply on your life and your feelings and talk with him honestly about this. He will help you.

My opinion on the matter is that nobody should feel guilted into joining the seminary. A vocation to the priesthood is a calling from God. He chooses you to live that life, not the other way around. If someone is giving you a guilt-trip to enter the seminary, then they don’t understand the basics of what this call entails. (And that’s not uncommon; most people will never get that call, and don’t quite understand what it’s about.)

Which leads back to my original advice… Go talk to a spiritual director. 🙂 That priest does understand, and can help you discern and understand.

I’ll be praying for you.
 
Catholic said:
I was wondering whether anyone has been motivated to study for the priesthood by feelings of guilt - that’s the stage I find myself in. I have a service-oriented job that I really enjoy and that allows me to use certain gifts of mine very specifically that I would not be able to use, it seems, as a priest. When I graduated college five years ago, I was accepted into a seminary, but dreaded it the whole summer beforehand and ended up dropping out right after orientation. Although I love the Church and the mass and sometimes think of myself doing the things of a priest, I fear being trapped under the vows of the priesthood and wish I could just stick with my current career. The fact that I am single and love the Church, and have been told to become a priest, though, makes me feel I have an obligation to do so. I would be anxious to hear any (name removed by moderator)ut from those in similar situations.
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Joining the priesthood because of guilt would be the worst mistake you could make. It is good considering the priesthood, but if you have any dreams of wanting a marriage life and family, I would recommend you hold off. It is natural to have cold feet about things, but if your heart isn’t there, then I wouldn’t pursue it.

Others may be telling you that you should be a priest, but wait until God calls you.
 
Catholic said:
I was wondering whether anyone has been motivated to study for the priesthood by feelings of guilt - that’s the stage I find myself in. I have a service-oriented job that I really enjoy and that allows me to use certain gifts of mine very specifically that I would not be able to use, it seems, as a priest. When I graduated college five years ago, I was accepted into a seminary, but dreaded it the whole summer beforehand and ended up dropping out right after orientation. Although I love the Church and the mass and sometimes think of myself doing the things of a priest, I fear being trapped under the vows of the priesthood and wish I could just stick with my current career. The fact that I am single and love the Church, and have been told to become a priest, though, makes me feel I have an obligation to do so. I would be anxious to hear any (name removed by moderator)ut from those in similar situations.
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I also reccomend that you seek spiritual direction. You need to discern whether your feelings of guilt are coming from other people, or because you are resisting a vocation. Don’t worry about disappointing other people.

God Bless
 
Catholic said:
I was wondering whether anyone has been motivated to study for the priesthood by feelings of guilt - that’s the stage I find myself in.
. . .
. The fact that I am single and love the Church, and have been told to become a priest, though, makes me feel I have an obligation to do so. I would be anxious to hear any (name removed by moderator)ut from those in similar situations.
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I would guess there are people who have contemplated marriage under the same type of influences.

bottom line, WHO is exerting this influence on you? what are their motives? could be anything from regret at their own choice of vocation, need to control or manipulate others, having only a superficial knowledge of you,
 
Funny thing is that I had something similar happen to me a few months ago.

You see, I had friends of mine that told me that I would make a great De La Salle Christian Brother and I really, really believed that it was what God wanted me to do. After all, how many times could I hear the phrase “You’d make a really good brother” before it goes to one’s head?

Of course, I called the Brothers and started talking to them. I really wanted to become one, felt inspired by De La Salle and his teaching philosophies, and wanted to put my Master’s to good use. But then I talked to the Brother Director one day and I started mentioning other Orders like the Benedictines, the Carmelites, and the Franciscans. He told me to look at Orders to see if there was something else out there that I could do.

Of course, I took his advice and I started looking around again. But then I decided to let God make the decision for me and He did.

Based on my own experience, I highly recommend finding a spiritual director and then making an act of confidence in God. Just tell Him that you are ready and willing to do whatever He asks of you. I guarantee that you will receive some kind of answer whether to be a priest or not.
 
Catholic said:
The fact that I am single and love the Church, and have been told to become a priest, though, makes me feel I have an obligation to do so.
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That’s a bunch of nonsense.

Sure, you should consider whether you are being called, but it appears that you have already done so and have either discerned that it is not for you or not for you at this time, so don’t get neurotic over this.

What are your thoughts on living the rest of your life without a wife or children?

Please note that I am a single man who attended a HS seminary and pondered the “am I called to priesthood” question into his late twenties.
 
Dear all,
Code: 
                I am a catholic, I only graduated highschool. I never been to college but I have a high wisdom that came from God. My mom said I am so smart I dont need college. I have a callling to religious life. See I am like the many saints that saw our Lady, an I was spoken to become a nun. Our lady just told me I will teach you the life of my son and the church you dont need to go to college.
I amaze my doctors and they said my word your like St. Ambrose a female version, others say I am like St. Dominic, or St. Benedict. Then others say that I am like St. Catherine of Seinna. See my doctors say the same thing that I dont need education they call me a living book from God. 😉 Well, even my old teachers from school say I am gifted, I even draw like Michael Angelo. I like to draw also cathedrals and such I amaze everyone. As so my family and friends even teachers and doctors cannot figure me out. They are puzzled. I was born deaf in my left ear and well I just do not care I dont let that bother me I even have asthma just like St. Burnadette! 😊 Do I care no. On the contrary I do have to say I feel called to become a nun. Can you just enter without college education? 🤷 🤷
 
PraiseGodxJMJ said:
Dear all,
Code: 
                I am a catholic, I only graduated highschool. I never been to college but I have a high wisdom that came from God. My mom said I am so smart I dont need college. I have a callling to religious life. See I am like the many saints that saw our Lady, an I was spoken to become a nun. Our lady just told me I will teach you the life of my son and the church you dont need to go to college.
I amaze my doctors and they said my word your like St. Ambrose a female version, others say I am like St. Dominic, or St. Benedict. Then others say that I am like St. Catherine of Seinna. See my doctors say the same thing that I dont need education they call me a living book from God. 😉 Well, even my old teachers from school say I am gifted, I even draw like Michael Angelo. I like to draw also cathedrals and such I amaze everyone. As so my family and friends even teachers and doctors cannot figure me out. They are puzzled. I was born deaf in my left ear and well I just do not care I dont let that bother me I even have asthma just like St. Burnadette! 😊 Do I care no. On the contrary I do have to say I feel called to become a nun. Can you just enter without college education? 🤷 🤷
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Hi,

I think it’s great you want to become a nun. I;m not sure of the educational requirements.

You should contact your diocesan vocation director and seek out a spiritual director. They can help you with the requirements. They will also help you on how to begin a serious process of discernment.

May God Bless your vocation abundantly!
 
Praise God:

Educational requirements vary from order to order. Cloistered orders usually have no educational requirements, neither does Mother Theresa’s sister. Adrien Dominicans and others like them not only want you to have your college degree, but will then send you on for your Masters and Ph. D.

I would encourage you to ignore your innate intelligence and many skills for the moment and practice humility and hidden prayer.
 
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