Discernment

[CutlerB]

Friends,

I’m honestly confused about what I am supposed to do with my life. In recent times and months I have been pondering whether I have a vocation to the priesthood, and have been praying about it, asking the Lord to please make it clear to me in a way that I will understand if He is calling me to be His priest, or not. There are multiple reasons why I think He might want me to, and I’d like to enumerate some here so you can see where I am coming from.

1. 
   *]I am a convert to the Faith. (That wouldn’t be a reason, but I think it’s important)
   *]I feel attracted to the priesthood in some mysterious way I can’t describe. Yes, I like cassocks, but it’s more than that.
   *] I love the Liturgy, and am particularly attracted to “traditional Catholicism”.
   *]Many people have been saying things like “You should be a priest!” or “When I first saw you, I thought you were a priest”.
   
   Concerning number 4, I have often heard it said that God works through people and little signs, even things like this. These comments have been increasing recently, which is why I am posting here.
   
   At the beginning of this post, I wrote that I had been asking Our Lord to please give me some sort of sign to help me along. The thing is, I find it very hard to go on something that I cannot be absolutely sure of. Obviously, an act of faith is involved, and I am worried I may simply be readings things into events or comments, which makes me wonder whether I would actually realise the sign the Lord might give me.
   
   Something that’s on my mind in particular is this: I am not exactly a holy person, which I think a priest should be. That’s what makes me doubt that God would even consider calling me. But then, at Holy Mass yesterday, the priest said in his homily that God might actually see our strengths where we see our weaknesses. I remember that striking me and sending shivers down my spine, because it immediately made me think of this.
   
   Sorry if this is all over the place and confusing to you… that’s just like I feel. A friend of mine is a seminarian, and he keeps telling me that I would make a good priest, and he struggles with the same issues I have in regards to personal holiness.
   
   Honestly, I don’t know what to do. I keep praying and all, but I don’t seem to be getting anywhere. Neither do I want to do the wrong thing with my life, much less waste it away by being indecisive.
   
   Does anyone have advice on what I might do? Any priests here who could help me, or seminarians with whom my situation resonates? I should be so glad, especially for any prayers you might offer. Thanks, and God bless.

 

[landon13]

I want to recommend a resource to you. I have discerned, personally, off and on for about a year or so for the priesthood. This one book that I ordered online for FREE is one that I want to strongly recommend to you.

Go to: www.gopriest.com and request the free book from that website: “To Save a Thousand Souls” it is one of the most highly recommended books for discernment to the diocesan priesthood that I have found.

May God bless your journey, as I know He will, and help you find His will in your life.

Pax.

 

[Catholic1954]

If you are discerning a vocation to the priesthood, then you should have a spiritual advisor to help you sort out your issues and concerns. Ask your friend to suggest someone or you can call your priest and ask him.

 

[Last_Things]

Friends,

I’m honestly confused about what I am supposed to do with my life.

Welcome to 15-50.

In recent times and months I have been pondering whether I have a vocation to the priesthood, and have been praying about it, asking the Lord to please make it clear to me in a way that I will understand if He is calling me to be His priest, or not.

Well, that’s not really how God works. God leads us on a path of trust. not a clear path to what we are intended to do.

There are multiple reasons why I think He might want me to, and I’d like to enumerate some here so you can see where I am coming from.

1. 
   *]I am a convert to the Faith. (That wouldn’t be a reason, but I think it’s important)
   *]I feel attracted to the priesthood in some mysterious way I can’t describe. Yes, I like cassocks, but it’s more than that.
   *] I love the Liturgy, and am particularly attracted to “traditional Catholicism”.
   *]Many people have been saying things like “You should be a priest!” or “When I first saw you, I thought you were a priest”.

1. 
   Been there, done that. None of those are legitimate reasons.
   

   Concerning number 4, I have often heard it said that God works through people and little signs, even things like this. These comments have been increasing recently, which is why I am posting here.

   Those are signs of someone being overly enthusiastic which often ends up with a nun pregnant and a priest running off to Asia.
   

   At the beginning of this post, I wrote that I had been asking Our Lord to please give me some sort of sign to help me along. The thing is, I find it very hard to go on something that I cannot be absolutely sure of. Obviously, an act of faith is involved, and I am worried I may simply be readings things into events or comments, which makes me wonder whether I would actually realise the sign the Lord might give me.

   You are not going to be given a sign. You are going to be given a direction… over and over against perhaps. You are a faithful, you will follow those directions to the destination that God intends.
   

   Something that’s on my mind in particular is this: I am not exactly a holy person, which I think a priest should be.

   They are all human and they are not a holy as you think.
   

   That’s what makes me doubt that God would even consider calling me. But then, at Holy Mass yesterday, the priest said in his homily that God might actually see our strengths where we see our weaknesses. I remember that striking me and sending shivers down my spine, because it immediately made me think of this.

   Sorry if this is all over the place and confusing to you… that’s just like I feel. A friend of mine is a seminarian, and he keeps telling me that I would make a good priest, and he struggles with the same issues I have in regards to personal holiness.

   Honestly, I don’t know what to do. I keep praying and all, but I don’t seem to be getting anywhere. Neither do I want to do the wrong thing with my life, much less waste it away by being indecisive.

   Does anyone have advice on what I might do? Any priests here who could help me, or seminarians with whom my situation resonates? I should be so glad, especially for any prayers you might offer. Thanks, and God bless.

   How long have you been Catholic?

 

[bobballen_18]

Hello!

First of all, I will disagree with Last Things in that at least your #s 2-4 could very well be indications that God is calling you to be a priest. I’m not saying that they definitely mean you are being called, but I have heard that these are some of the signs that many/most priests report having before they enter seminary.

Pretty much the only other thing: have you ever heard the saying “God does not call the qualified, he qualifies the called”? Obviously one must have a certain degree of self-mastery and must be on the road to being holy, but one does not have to be a saint to enter seminary. So, I don’t know if you’re called to be a priest, but don’t let the fact that you feel you are not holy deter you from contacting a vocations director. Numerous seminarians and priests have a past of which they are not extremely proud.

Oh, and yes, you should get a spiritual director, most likely a priest, one you perceive to be holy (for example, celebrates Mass reverently) and true to the Church’s teachings. He can help you with some of your thoughts and struggles. And of course, keep praying! Good luck with your discernment.

 

[Cloisters]

Actions speak louder than words. Simply report to your pastor and say you’ll work where he needs you to.

If priesthood is in your future, obedience to your bishop and your pastor will be of the utmost importance. If the pastor says, 'He doesn’t give me any lip, and carries out his duties with faith and devotion, and the people love and appreciate him," it will look a lot better to the diocesan vocation director. Let them say 'Have you considered the priesthood?"

Blessings,
Cloisters