Frustrated and torn

[Jr3699]

I’m asking this question from my girlfriends account. About 10 years ago I was in the seminary and I left after two years. I left very rashly due to family issues that I was having a difficult time dealing with. I dated several women befor I met my current girlfriend. In August of last year I had decided that this upcoming June I would reenter the seminary. By October I met my girlfriend and I couldn’t imagine being with anybody else but her. She’s the type of woman I always envisioned I would marry if marriage is my vocation. I love her with all my heart and I can honestly say she’s perfect in every way both for me and just as a human being. The problem is I still feel a calling both to marriage and the priesthood. I would love to marry my current girlfriend, but It is difficult for me to see myself as a father. In addition, despite how much I feel Pulled to being married to her, I still feel that I’m receiving signs in regards the priest as well. People ask me if I’m going to be a priest, I will open the Bible to read something about a priest, and certain mystics have told me they can imagine me as a priest. My girlfriend is a very big part of my life and as you can tell I’m very frustrated with my discernment currently. I’ve been discerning now for about19 years and wish I could find a definitive answer to what the Lord is asking me to do. It was very intentional that my girlfriend and I had Met and the Lord made it very clear that he wanted us to date. My girlfriend and I discussed this, she is indicated The Lord has made it very clear to her that she is meant to get married and that intern her vocation most likely would be with me. I guess I’m just reaching out to see if anybody has any advice or any spiritual exercises that I can do in order to figure out what the Lord is asking of me. I want to be fair to her and I’ve been open with her about everything. If anybody else also has any experiences that may be able to help please feel free to share those as well. Thank you for reading and God bless.

 

[Petaro]

I would tend to look to the joy you have within your relationship with your girlfriend and imagine life without that companionship, with no hope of regaining it. The life of a priest is very lonely and difficult. Many people leave the seminary due to these difficulties and in finding they do not have the vocation. Many of these yeas are wasted in relation to building external lives.
I would stick with the joy you are finding in the natural love that may bring you to the valuable vocation of marriage to which most of us are called.Let Jesus do the rest. If He wants you a priest, you will be a priest. His Will will not be thwarted. So let Him do the hard work.

 

[phil_at_dayboro]

I would tend to look to the joy you have within your relationship with your girlfriend and imagine life without that companionship, with no hope of regaining it. The life of a priest is very lonely and difficult. Many people leave the seminary due to these difficulties and in finding they do not have the vocation. Many of these yeas are wasted in relation to building external lives.
I would stick with the joy you are finding in the natural love that may bring you to the valuable vocation of marriage to which most of us are called.Let Jesus do the rest. If He wants you a priest, you will be a priest. His Will will not be thwarted. So let Him do the hard work.

I Doubt anyone could have used better words,
If your lucky enough that this girlfriend is like minded with your in faith,
Then their is no reason that the both of you can’t do good work together,
Which will only enhance your relationship ,good luck

 

[DoubtingPeter]

About 10 years ago I was in the seminary and I left after two years. I left very rashly due to family issues that I was having a difficult time dealing with

There is always the question of if the diocese/ congregation/ seminary would admit you back in

but It is difficult for me to see myself as a father.

Any particular reason?

despite how much I feel Pulled to being married to her, I still feel that I’m receiving signs in regards the priest as well. People ask me if I’m going to be a priest, I will open the Bible to read something about a priest, and certain mystics have told me they can imagine me as a priest.

Do you still have any connections to anyone back when you were in seminary who you can talk with? This is going to be a difficult decision: I know a couple of people who took one way or another and still wonder a couple of years later how the other road would have been.

[BIBLEDRB]Philippians 4:6-8[/BIBLEDRB]

 

[tawny]

I’m asking this question from my girlfriends account. About 10 years ago I was in the seminary and I left after two years. I left very rashly due to family issues that I was having a difficult time dealing with. I dated several women befor I met my current girlfriend. In August of last year I had decided that this upcoming June I would reenter the seminary. By October I met my girlfriend and I couldn’t imagine being with anybody else but her. She’s the type of woman I always envisioned I would marry if marriage is my vocation. I love her with all my heart and I can honestly say she’s perfect in every way both for me and just as a human being. The problem is I still feel a calling both to marriage and the priesthood. I would love to marry my current girlfriend, but It is difficult for me to see myself as a father. In addition, despite how much I feel Pulled to being married to her, I still feel that I’m receiving signs in regards the priest as well. People ask me if I’m going to be a priest, I will open the Bible to read something about a priest, and certain mystics have told me they can imagine me as a priest. My girlfriend is a very big part of my life and as you can tell I’m very frustrated with my discernment currently. I’ve been discerning now for about19 years and wish I could find a definitive answer to what the Lord is asking me to do. It was very intentional that my girlfriend and I had Met and the Lord made it very clear that he wanted us to date. My girlfriend and I discussed this, she is indicated The Lord has made it very clear to her that she is meant to get married and that intern her vocation most likely would be with me. I guess I’m just reaching out to see if anybody has any advice or any spiritual exercises that I can do in order to figure out what the Lord is asking of me. I want to be fair to her and I’ve been open with her about everything. If anybody else also has any experiences that may be able to help please feel free to share those as well. Thank you for reading and God bless.

Praying to the Holy Spirit to give you guidance & direction in your life’s decisions.

 

[mountee]

Praying for you to find the path God has chosen for you.

Memorare

REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

 

[Cricket2]

Remember you are free to choose. God will respect your choice. Your being “torn” between the two choices may simply mean that you are afraid to make a choice. If you are experiencing joy over your relationship with your girlfriend, “and can’t imagine” you life without her, then your answer may be right in front of you.

From what you said in your post I think your interest in being a priest has been well tested. You left the seminary, and though it was for family reasons, I also suspect that there was a deeper reason behind it. Your girlfriend may be that reason. It may be time to let the door close as far as being a priest, so the door to marriage and family life opens fully.

 

[Loving_disciple]

Pray a novena to Padre Pio and what for the answer I am sure you will get one.