In 2018, how easy is for a priest to also work as a scientist?

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Hello all. I’ve been following this wonderful forums for months, but only now I felt the need to sign up and ask.

I’m a High School student from Argentina (age: 17 years). This year I graduate from a degree to be a Chemichal Technician (the same degree Pope Francis had before entering Seminary). Since childhood I had a passion for science and research, mostly thanks to my dear sister who studied Medicine (she passed away nearly 1.5 years ago, from cancer). My plan is to study Environmental Engineering in University and later work in Environmental Chemistry Research.

BUT this past weeks I’ve felt something I would identify as the call of God (through different signs) to the priesthood/religious life, to devoting myself entirely (kenosis). My first thought was that there are plenty of clergy-scientist (I know I know, Lemaitre, Copernicus, Mendel, etc.) particularly in the Jesuit Society, so I thought that, if I discern my vocation to priesthood, I would most likely become a Jesuit in hopes of working in science/teaching as a part-time ministry (I finish my degree in Engineering and then enter the Jesuit Seminary). Problem is, today I talked to my Diocesan Priest (the best priest I know, and a very close friend of the family) and, besides talking me about not going so fast and taking my time to discern, he also told me that now the Church needs full-time priests (of whatever kind, religious or secular) and that cases of “Mixed vocations” (priest-scientist or priest-another profession) are now rare. Finally, he told me that normally when God calls he usually changes the life you planned to something entirely different, but that will make you more plentifully happy (he himself was a technical teacher and computer analyst before entering Seminary)

This hit me hard, as studying a scientific career wouldn´t be enough for me, I would like to apply it, but also I´m slowly falling in love with the idea of having a Jesuit’s life.

Can someone with experiences like this (especially priests) help me? I should also remark that I’ve not spoken with a Jesuit yet…
 
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I personally know several Jesuits who are scientists and physicians, and met a lot more when I went to Jesuit prep school and university. If you want to be an active scientist, the the Jesuits are the ideal society for you.
AlbMagno said:
I should also remark that I’ve not spoken with a Jesuit yet…
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Actually, that’s the first step you should take. If you’re in Argentina, then there is bound to be a Jesuit community around you. Go to their parish, participate in their youth and volunteer activities and spiritual practices, and ask your questions of any Jesuit you may meet.

It’s also a good idea to read up as much as you can about the Society, its history and principles. The more you know, the more seriously any Jesuits you will meet will take your questions.

Good luck!
 
Thank you very much! If you know active scientist inside the clergy, that’s a good sign, I hope the situation is the same here in Argentina. Today I also spoke with my psychologist, and she said that she knows a Jesuit that lives in the College that Pope Francis directed when he was just a Jesuit (“Colegio Máximo”, it’s not too far from my town). Maybe there I can know more (they even have an astronomical observatory), but first I have to discern if this is a true call to priesthood with my parish priest. Nevertheless, thanks and more suggestions are welcomed!
 
If you received a call from God, I wouldn’t allow the opinion of one man to shape your life’s journey.

I don’t think there are many diocesan priests who are also scientists. His perspective may be a little skewed.

You may want to widen your search to other religious orders that run universities so you can have a better perspective.

I think the church needs good men, and good men don’t always fit one mold.

You owe it to yourself to follow your calling.
 
For a Diocesan priest to do this would be essentially impossible.

Look at the Jesuits and the Dominicans.
 
And Benedictines.

Basically any order that runs colleges or universities might be a possibility, assuming that you’re called to that spirituality.
 
I know an awesome priest-scientist in the Dominican Eastern Province. He provides Mass, then a talk on medical ethics afterwards.
 
Thanks for all the replies so far. Yes, my priest said the “mixing-vocations” thing with a good intention (he said that i could be a exception and that he didn’t try to ruin my idea), but, as you say, maybe he was skewed because the majority of the priests he knows (I supppose) are diocesan or fraternal/diocesan. Right now he sent me a questionary to begin my first part of descernment 🙂
 
It might be best to become an ordered priest if you wish to study science AND be a priest.
 
I’m in highschool now and wanted to become a priest and a teacher in science I actually asked our parish priest about this and he said God calls us in different forms he might want you to be a priest and a teacher at the same time we never know for sure.
 
One of our parish priests back in Australia joined the Jesuits to contribute as a scientist. He switched to being a parish priest, something that he never wanted to do. Now he says that he thinks it was a really good development because he enjoys being part of a community.

The parish is a Jesuit parish with about 3 or 4 priests at a time.

I think his particular field was particle physics, in the footsteps of Roger Boscovich I guess.
 
My suggestion would be to go on a retreat with the Jesuits as they are walking in the footsteps of St Ignatius of Loyola. I o L who was big on the discernment of spirits - where is God leading me and is it really God and not my own head talking? What did God have in mind when He created me? Find a jesuit who you can talk with every 4-6 weeks and see where God leads you.

Being a scientist or priests are two equally good possibilities. Finding out to which or if it is both that God has created you to requires some discernment and a lot of prayers. A person who is interested and would do equally well as a nurse or teacher may start as a nurse and then 20 years later teach future nurses.
 
Yes, I think Ignatian retreats with actual Jesuits are my best course of action. I will keep my parish priest as my Vocation counselor (as I said, I have more confidence with him), but in the meantime I will contact the Jesuits for this (commenting it to my priest).
 
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