How do you know God is calling you to be a priest?

[angelic06]

ByzCath,

From what I understand, either the MDiv. or the STB will prepare you for the STL, which is a degree which permits one, with the consent of the ordinary, to teach in Catholic institutions. Some seminaries will allow seminarians to pursue both concurrently (MDiv & STB). However, one does not have to be preparing for the priesthood or the religious state to obtain the degrees. Despite its name, here in the U.S., the Bachelor of Sacred Theology, as awarded by Catholic institutions, is a graduate degree.

trs.cua.edu/academic/grad/ecclesiastical-degrees/stl-genreqs.cfm

trs.cua.edu/academic/grad/ecclesiastical-degrees/stb-genreqs.cfm

Going back to get an STB and maybe an STL is a possibility I am considering, after finishing the training requirements for my secular profession and working for a while. But that is way way way in the future, after ensuring that I have enough to support my family, if by God’s grace I get one. (I do not discern a religious vocation.) I have an interest in Byzantine theology, which could lead me to pursue an MA in Byz Cath Theology instead of the above.

But my post is getting way off topic. To the OP and to all: Remember that having a good spiritual experience does not necessarily mean that you are called to a religious vocation. All people are called to holiness. I reiterate what others have stated: get a spiritual advisor. (I need one myself.)

 

[angelic06]

Since somebody brought up canon law in this, I should also add that the MDiv and the STB, respectively, may be adequate training to allow you entry into the second cycle of the JCL degree program.

canonlaw.cua.edu/programs/jcl.cfm

Now, back to the original question.

 

[Young_Thinker]

Since somebody brought up canon law in this, I should also add that the MDiv and the STB, respectively, may be adequate training to allow you entry into the second cycle of the JCL degree program.

canonlaw.cua.edu/programs/jcl.cfm

Now, back to the original question.

Thank you.

 

[Young_Thinker]

I do not know; maybe I will just try to obtain an J.C.L. following major seminary and fulfilment of my prospective order’s requirements(i.e. pre-noviate and noviate) rather than
seeking a Ph.D. or both. Does anyone know much about the typical career of a canon lawyer(aside from those who are diplomats)? I know that advocates and ecclesiastical judges(I assume that the latter are Monsignori) exist but not really anything beyond that.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

I do not know; maybe I will just try to obtain an J.C.L. following major seminary and fulfilment of my prospective order’s requirements(i.e. pre-noviate and noviate) rather than
seeking a Ph.D. or both. Does anyone know much about the typical career of a canon lawyer(aside from those who are diplomats)? I know that advocates and ecclesiastical judges(I assume that the latter are Monsignori) exist but not really anything beyond that.

Again, it will be up to the order if they will allow you to go on and get a JCL or PH.D.

I think you need to let that go for the time being.

 

[Young_Thinker]

Again, it will be up to the order if they will allow you to go on and get a JCL or PH.D.

I think you need to let that go for the time being.

All right, but I was saying this with the obvious assumption that I would be permitted to do so.

 

[Ocarm]

I do not know; maybe I will just try to obtain an J.C.L. following major seminary and fulfilment of my prospective order’s requirements(i.e. pre-noviate and noviate) rather than seeking a Ph.D. or both.

Formation in a religious order typically takes 7 years; and ordination a little longer, because even those men who are accepted for ordination (it isn’t automatic, after all) must usually be in solemn vows before they are ordained; and a JCL takes 3 more years; and a JCD or PHD a lot longer still. So we’re talking 10-12 years minimum even without the doctorate. Do you not think that the diocese or institute that you enter might want you to do some proper work sometime instead of all this study?

There’s a reason for this: its because at the end of all these years in school, you will have insufficient real pastoral or life experience to bring to canon law, or to any other apostolate.

Does anyone know much about the typical career of a canon lawyer(aside from those who are diplomats)? I know that advocates and ecclesiastical judges(I assume that the latter are Monsignori) exist but not really anything beyond that.

There is no typical career. Some work at the diocesan offices, some specialise in marriage, some in property and finances, some in consecrated life. Vatican diplomacy is beyond the reach of most, by the way. And ‘Monsignor’ is just an honorary title, not indicative of rank or authority.

Your enthusiasm is very creditable. However, neither a diocese nor a religious institute will be very keen on a candidate whose most vigorously expressed desire is to spend most of their life in school (even the Jesuits and Dominicans like people to get out there and work!); and I don’t just mean people who say this, but people who even think it. Superiors and bishops are looking for men whose great desire is to take on a lifestyle, not plan out their career structures.

Start contacting a few vocation directors, my friend. Anything else is just a diversion, and ultimately, a waste of energy. We don’t get to plan our life with God. God and our superiors plan it for us.

 

[DrFloyd]

I wouldn’t recommend doing too much of this. Learning the basics is ok, but the devil loves to work on us when we are sticking our noses outside of our faith.

Just because someone is considering getting info about a non-Catholic religion, that is the work of the devil? Say what?

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

All right, but I was saying this with the obvious assumption that I would be permitted to do so.

There is no “obvious assumption”. If there is a need then you might get to do so, if you show the aptitude.

Also some orders that might allow you to do this may make you go out into the ministry for a year or two after completion of formation and/or they may make you do so on a part time basis while working.

 

[Young_Thinker]

There is no “obvious assumption”. If there is a need then you might get to do so, if you show the aptitude.

Also some orders that might allow you to do this may make you go out into the ministry for a year or two after completion of formation and/or they may make you do so on a part time basis while working.

Thank you.

 

[Young_Thinker]

Formation in a religious order typically takes 7 years; and ordination a little longer, because even those men who are accepted for ordination (it isn’t automatic, after all) must usually be in solemn vows before they are ordained; and a JCL takes 3 more years; and a JCD or PHD a lot longer still. So we’re talking 10-12 years minimum even without the doctorate. Do you not think that the diocese or institute that you enter might want you to do some proper work sometime instead of all this study?

There’s a reason for this: its because at the end of all these years in school, you will have insufficient real pastoral or life experience to bring to canon law, or to any other apostolate.

There is no typical career. Some work at the diocesan offices, some specialise in marriage, some in property and finances, some in consecrated life. Vatican diplomacy is beyond the reach of most, by the way. And ‘Monsignor’ is just an honorary title, not indicative of rank or authority.

Your enthusiasm is very creditable. However, neither a diocese nor a religious institute will be very keen on a candidate whose most vigorously expressed desire is to spend most of their life in school (even the Jesuits and Dominicans like people to get out there and work!); and I don’t just mean people who say this, but people who even think it. Superiors and bishops are looking for men whose great desire is to take on a lifestyle, not plan out their career structures.

Start contacting a few vocation directors, my friend. Anything else is just a diversion, and ultimately, a waste of energy. We don’t get to plan our life with God. God and our superiors plan it for us.

Thank you, Brother.

 

[JesuitLoyola]

I think the previous post was a great thing to explain to young thinker about how religious life works and how very ambiguous it is that the planned education he would like will be what he is asked to do in his vocation. After all, if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans for your life.

 

[Monte_RCMS]

Be utterly and totally prepared to accept whatever “career” assignment that you are assigned to, no matter how, you consider it, to be odious.

You may want to be a confessor and Mass presider, but you may be assigned to a mission in Mississippi or an Indian reservation in North Dakota or to a CYO basketball league, or to a hospital, or to be an Army chaplain, or to be chaplain at a Dominican sisters’ cancer ward in Hawthorne. Or, horrors, assigned to being a college student in Rome to get a PhD in theology.

Be totally open.

You have to be turn yourself over to God (and your Bishop).

 

[Young_Thinker]

Be utterly and totally prepared to accept whatever “career” assignment that you are assigned to, no matter how, you consider it, to be odious.

You may want to be a confessor and Mass presider, but you may be assigned to a mission in Mississippi or an Indian reservation in North Dakota or to a CYO basketball league, or to a hospital, or to be an Army chaplain, or to be chaplain at a Dominican sisters’ cancer ward in Hawthorne.

Be totally open.

You have to be turn yourself over to God (and your Bishop).

Thank you.

 

[Monte_RCMS]

I visualized being assigned to the Bishop’s staff as a junior aide, right out of the seminary.

And that graduation weekend, there is an actual emergency.

An elderly priest died very unexpectedly. The only priest in a mostly Haitian parish. French language only.

So, the bishop saw me parking my car, and ran out and said, “Get over to St. Toussaint’s right now and say Mass”.

So, I race over to St. Toussaint.

French only.

Last time I had French was sophomore year of high school.

I get there two minutes before Mass. Race in. They help me vest up.

I say the Mass by reading it in French.

Homily. OMG !!! I struggle with school boy French from ten or twenty years ago!!!

And what happens?

They call the Archbishop and DEMAND that I be assigned permanently there, because they understand me and love me.

Dear God.

 

[Young_Thinker]

I visualized being assigned to the Bishop’s staff as a junior aide, right out of the seminary.

And that graduation weekend, there is an actual emergency.

An elderly priest died very unexpectedly. The only priest in a mostly Haitian parish. French language only.

So, the bishop saw me parking my car, and ran out and said, “Get over to St. Toussaint’s right now and say Mass”.

So, I race over to St. Toussaint.

French only.

Last time I had French was sophomore year of high school.

I get there two minutes before Mass. Race in. They help me vest up.

I say the Mass by reading it in French.

Homily. OMG !!! I struggle with school boy French from ten or twenty years ago!!!

And what happens?

They call the Archbishop and DEMAND that I be assigned permanently there, because they understand me and love me.

Dear God.

How interesting(I thought that this was a true story until I read the first sentence a second time, since I was wondering how long ago you were assigned to that parish.)! However, since I intend to enter an order, if my superior, rather than a bishop, will be the one who is doing any assignations.

 

[Monte_RCMS]

How interesting(I thought that this was a true story until I read the first sentence a second time, since I was wondering how long ago you were assigned to that parish.)! However, since I intend to enter an order, if my superior, rather than a bishop, will be the one who is doing any assignations.

One of my friends was a senior pastor and was ferrying cancer patients to their radiation treatments. His cell phone rang. He answered it. It was the bishop and he told my priest friend to pull over. A priest had died and because of the rules of how pastors were selected, only my friend was qualified. So the next day, my friend reported to a new parish.

Done deal.

Happens.

Another of my friends “affected” Navajo jewelry. A LOT of it. Turns out he was a missionary for 10,000 square miles in the southwest for 15 years.

Another of my friends had a dispensation from saying the breviary. It weighed too much. He was up in northern Alaska and flew his mission. He said 15 decades of the rosary daily instead of the breviary.

Another of my friends became a military chaplain at 45 years of age … past military retirement age. Got his jump wings!!! Did many tours in combat areas!!

Another of my friends is from Ireland. Speaks Gallic and Swahili. [got assigned to Africa for decades.] Ended up in a prison ministry.

Another fellow just didn’t make a lot of friends at his assignment. On his day off, he would spend time with a parishioner who would go off to buy [live] chickens [which would be killed, plucked, and cut up] for the friend’s fast food restaurant.

Another priest spend his day off in the back area of a bookstore where they had comfortable chairs; spent his day off reading books for free. Had no money. No place to go.

Go figure.

[Who are you?]

[Can you hear the music? “Who are you?”]

 

[Young_Thinker]

One of my friends was a senior pastor and was ferrying cancer patients to their radiation treatments. His cell phone rang. He answered it. It was the bishop and he told my priest friend to pull over. A priest had died and because of the rules of how pastors were selected, only my friend was qualified. So the next day, my friend reported to a new parish.

Done deal.

Happens.

Another of my friends “affected” Navajo jewelry. A LOT of it. Turns out he was a missionary for 10,000 square miles in the southwest for 15 years.

Another of my friends had a dispensation from saying the breviary. It weighed too much. He was up in northern Alaska and flew his mission. He said 15 decades of the rosary daily instead of the breviary.

Another of my friends became a military chaplain at 45 years of age … past military retirement age. Got his jump wings!!! Did many tours in combat areas!!

Another of my friends is from Ireland. Speaks Gallic and Swahili. [got assigned to Africa for decades.] Ended up in a prison ministry.

Another fellow just didn’t make a lot of friends at his assignment. On his day off, he would spend time with a parishioner who would go off to buy [live] chickens [which would be killed, plucked, and cut up] for the friend’s fast food restaurant.

Another priest spend his day off in the back area of a bookstore where they had comfortable chairs; spent his day off reading books for free. Had no money. No place to go.

Go figure.

[Who are you?]

[Can you hear the music? “Who are you?”]

Thank you for the illustrative examples; I just hope that there really is not any unemployment in the Church(I do not see how that would be, but who knows?).

 

[DrFloyd]

our faith is all about sacrafice, what can be a better way to get to God then sacrafice one of the things you desire most in your life; to be in a relationship with someone, love.?

I honestly think that if you’re going into the priesthood feeling this way, then you’re setting yourself up for failure.

To paraphrase one of my friends, the main idea for pursuing the priesthood is that your love of God is greater than your love of self or any potential spouse. AND you voluntarily wish to partake of Holy Orders as both a sacrifice and a sacrament…you don’t feel like you’re “sacrificing” anything to do it.

There ARE some people for which celibacy is a natural state…those are the types who should become priests and enter other religious life, and I suspect the majority ARE of that stripe. Based on what you’re saying, that doesn’t seem to be true with you. If you’re thinking it’ll be a “sacrifice” to be a priest, then in my opinion (take it for what its worth), you’re in for trouble down the road.

 

[DrFloyd]

I do not know if I would satisfied with just having a platonic relationship with a woman.

I don’t think that bodes well for your future if you choose to go into the priesthood.

I have very intimate relationships with four of my female friends. They know everything about me, and vice-versa. I’ve been friends with each of these women for years…two are married, one is engaged. I find them all attractive to one degree or another. However, I have zero desire to be with them in a relationship or sexually, nor have I ever felt that way.

I truly feel the types of people who should become priests or enter religious life are those for whom the idea of “no relationship” is just fine. If they’re not fine with that, they’re potentially putting themselves into a world of trouble.