How can I discern my calling to a vocation as a teenager?

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I have been thinking and researching more and more about becoming a priest or religious life for about 3-4 years now. I know A LOT about the catholic church/faith, priests and monks. I have a feeling of joy when I think I can help so many people, help people get closer to God, Jesus, and Mary. I love my faith then most of my family and look into more then most people that I know. I love the mass. How can I see if this is a calling from God and how can I discern it as a teenager? Are their retreats or anything like that? All thoughts and answers thanked and appreciated!
 
catholicboy123 said:
I have been thinking and researching more and more about becoming a priest or religious life for about 3-4 years now. I know A LOT about the catholic church/faith, priests and monks. I have a feeling of joy when I think I can help so many people, help people get closer to God, Jesus, and Mary. I love my faith then most of my family and look into more then most people that I know. I love the mass. How can I see if this is a calling from God and how can I discern it as a teenager? Are their retreats or anything like that? All thoughts and answers thanked and appreciated!
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prayer, adoration and talking to members of the religious community
 
When the time is ready, you will begin to move from personal research into a more active phase where you are doing things which help you discern. The first step of the process is to make an appointment with the priest who is the Pastor of your parish. Remember that he went through the exact same thing you are going through 🙂 His is your primary guide at this early stage.

In a certain sense you are “Outing” yourself. I’ve recently had the conversation with my parish priest and it is a little scary. You can ask him not to tell anyone if you don’t want to make a fuss or don’t want your family to know just yet.

At a certain point you will likely contact the vocations director for your diocese and work with them. The vocations office will likely give you the ability to spend a day with a priest to see what his life is like, visits to seminaries, and to go on retreats. Monastaries often hold vocations retreats and not just for vocations to monastic life either - the quiet of the monastery is a place where the Holy Spirit can really work in you. I highly recommend a vocations retreat at a monastery if you are able. See trappist.net/vocation for an example.

I’d also recommend getting involved with Parish life to the extent that you are able. If you have the opportunity to be an altar server, do so, so that you know what it is like to be in front of the crowd. It also helps you get involved in the liturgy in a very real way.

Really, speaking to your parish priest is the place to start. The Church does not want you to be a priest and a monastic community does not want you to be a brother if it is not what you are called to be. They can help you really determine if it what God is calling you to. They will not try to “Recruit” you if it is not where God is calling you.

I’d also recommend reading “To Save a Thousand Souls” by Father Brannen.

I’ll pray for you.

-Tim-
 
catholicboy123 said:
I have been thinking and researching more and more about becoming a priest or religious life for about 3-4 years now. I know A LOT about the catholic church/faith, priests and monks. I have a feeling of joy when I think I can help so many people, help people get closer to God, Jesus, and Mary. I love my faith then most of my family and look into more then most people that I know. I love the mass. How can I see if this is a calling from God and how can I discern it as a teenager? Are their retreats or anything like that? All thoughts and answers thanked and appreciated!
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I’d begin by serving Mass, and also look into the spirituality associated with each order. Decide whether a traditional or more mainstream order most interest you. And God Bless you for your interest ! Sounds like you want this for the right reasons 👍
 
Check with your diocese to see if there is a Serra group near you. They do outreach to high school and college students with the goal of supporting discernment and fostering vocations.
 
catholicboy123 said:
I have been thinking and researching more and more about becoming a priest or religious life for about 3-4 years now. I know A LOT about the catholic church/faith, priests and monks. I have a feeling of joy when I think I can help so many people, help people get closer to God, Jesus, and Mary. I love my faith then most of my family and look into more then most people that I know. I love the mass. How can I see if this is a calling from God and how can I discern it as a teenager? Are their retreats or anything like that? All thoughts and answers thanked and appreciated!
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Helpful Suggestions (I did all of these things):
  1. Get a spiritual director (if you don’t have one already)
  2. Speak to your diocese’s vocation director/religious order vocation director
  3. Communicate with your Pastor or Associate Pastor
  4. Volunteer at a Soup Kitchen
  5. Read “To Save a Thousand Souls” by Fr. Brett Brannen (link): vianneyvocations.com/book
  6. Attend local diocesan vocational events/retreats OR attend religious order retreats (most orders have their own retreats for discerner’s)
    Hope this helps. God Bless! 🙂
 
The vocation is when the bishop call you before the ordination. Your role is only to answer adsum.

Naturally there is a process weather to present yourself to his call or not, and you had to think it over. Your problem is not weather God called you or not, this will be decided before the ordination, but : 'Are you ready to sacrifice your life to God?"

This question had to be answered by you, and by you alone. Do not try to say: “I don’t pursue the priestly life, becuse God did not called me.” This decision, weather God alled you or not belongs to the bishop, not to you?.

Make a list, what you loose and what you gain, and pray to God.

I am sure that visiting some seminaries does not makes any harm. I recommend you this canons:

canons-regular.org/

keeping in mind, that the decision about vocation is not yours, ultimately it belongs to God, although He may test your effort.
 
catholicboy123 said:
I have been thinking and researching more and more about becoming a priest or religious life for about 3-4 years now. I know A LOT about the catholic church/faith, priests and monks. I have a feeling of joy when I think I can help so many people, help people get closer to God, Jesus, and Mary. I love my faith then most of my family and look into more then most people that I know. I love the mass. How can I see if this is a calling from God and how can I discern it as a teenager? Are their retreats or anything like that? All thoughts and answers thanked and appreciated!
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Through SpirituaL means. Prayer and the Mass , Fastings , Sufferings , Sacrifice Penance , Mortification. GOD and you conversing.

Pax
 
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