Info on Diocesan Life and priesthood

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 So, recently, after a childhood of fleeing Christ’s call due to anxiety and sprititual immaturity, I have, after a lenghty and long driven life of prayer, decided long ago to answer His call and become a servant of His Mercy at the Altar. I am drawn to the priesthood like a moth to the flame, though this flame does not ruin me, it in fact, burns me with ardour. I want nothing more in my life than to hear confessions, offer His Sacrifice at the Altar and serve others in a ministry until my death. I would like, if possible, other seminarians and experienced and new priests to offer me advice as I obtain a bachelors degree in Theology and hopefully, become accepted at my local seminary when my time comes to apply. 
 What must I need to know about this life I do desire? What would be expected of me to my (Christ willing, by his will) future parishioners? 
 On a side note, I find myself drawn to the old ways of clerical dress, being a young man, it is not typically found of my generation to wear the cassock or desire to represent the Office of Christ as it once was. Would I, a normal parish priest, be able to wear a roman cassock, fascia, Pellegrina, and birreta? (Outside the Divine Liturgy, I know. Nothing but the alb, cinture, stole and chasuble may be worn when celebrating the mysteries.) Always thought the shoulder cape was so cool. Made me think priests were superheroes when I was a baby. 
 Any advice or prayers, thoughts would be wonderfully appreciated.
~Pax Christi
 
easier to read

So, recently, after a childhood of fleeing Christ’s call due to anxiety and sprititual immaturity, I have, after a lenghty and long driven life of prayer, decided long ago to answer His call and become a servant of His Mercy at the Altar. I am drawn to the priesthood like a moth to the flame, though this flame does not ruin me, it in fact, burns me with ardour. I want nothing more in my life than to hear confessions, offer His Sacrifice at the Altar and serve others in a ministry until my death. I would like, if possible, other seminarians and experienced and new priests to offer me advice as I obtain a bachelors degree in Theology and hopefully, become accepted at my local seminary when my time comes to apply.
What must I need to know about this life I do desire? What would be expected of me to my (Christ willing, by his will) future parishioners?
On a side note, I find myself drawn to the old ways of clerical dress, being a young man, it is not typically found of my generation to wear the cassock or desire to represent the Office of Christ as it once was. Would I, a normal parish priest, be able to wear a roman cassock, fascia, Pellegrina, and birreta? (Outside the Divine Liturgy, I know. Nothing but the alb, cinture, stole and chasuble may be worn when celebrating the mysteries.) Always thought the shoulder cape was so cool. Made me think priests were superheroes when I was a baby.
Any advice or prayers, thoughts would be wonderfully appreciated.
 
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Contact the Vocations Director at your Diocese or at the Order you are interested in.
 
Read “To Save a Thousand Souls” by Fr. Brett Brannen.
 
I know a young priest who loves his cassock, however, he is very prudent on when he wears it. Diocesan functions find him in a clerical suit. At a monastery or at home, however, he is in the cassock. I think this is probably what most diocesan priests who do wear a cassock from time to time do, and I know several younger diocesan priests that behave similarly.
 
GiftofMercy said:
So, recently, after a childhood of fleeing Christ’s call due to anxiety and sprititual immaturity, I have, after a lenghty and long driven life of prayer, decided long ago to answer His call and become a servant of His Mercy at the Altar. I am drawn to the priesthood like a moth to the flame, though this flame does not ruin me, it in fact, burns me with ardour. I want nothing more in my life than to hear confessions, offer His Sacrifice at the Altar and serve others in a ministry until my death. I would like, if possible, other seminarians and experienced and new priests to offer me advice as I obtain a bachelors degree in Theology and hopefully, become accepted at my local seminary when my time comes to apply.
What must I need to know about this life I do desire? What would be expected of me to my (Christ willing, by his will) future parishioners?
On a side note, I find myself drawn to the old ways of clerical dress, being a young man, it is not typically found of my generation to wear the cassock or desire to represent the Office of Christ as it once was. Would I, a normal parish priest, be able to wear a roman cassock, fascia, Pellegrina, and birreta? (Outside the Divine Liturgy, I know. Nothing but the alb, cinture, stole and chasuble may be worn when celebrating the mysteries.) Always thought the shoulder cape was so cool. Made me think priests were superheroes when I was a baby.
Any advice or prayers, thoughts would be wonderfully appreciated.
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I don’t recall ever reading a more eloquent description of discerning a vocation. That was beautiful. I’m not a priest or a seminarian, though I did discern a vocation at one point in my college years (ultimately didn’t go to seminary).

I would mildly caution you that the priesthood is about far, far more than what you wear as a priest. I know you know that, just put it in proper perspective.

Your best bet might be to contact the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter:

https://www.fssp.org/en/
 
I just copied and pasted this for the OP @Cuddles57

Its much easier to read then in that little box.

I pray for his vocation. It is a beautiful testimony
 
Thank you for your advice. I will take it to heart and pray further as I continue in my academic years.
~Pax Christi
 
You hit the nail on the head, (name removed by moderator). All of this is what I desire to do. Even the mere thought of half of these things fills me with a happiness I have never felt.
 
Thank you for the advice, and I will post again of my journey in my vocation. Hopefully one day, I will offer the Most Holy Sacrifice at the Altar.
 
Why the FSSP?

OP, I recommend you to get a spiritual director, preferably a trusted priest.
 
AlbMagno said:
Why the FSSP?
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Because they are fully in union with, and fully in obedience to, the Holy Father, and they seek to preserve the traditional Latin rites of the Church. It is in such an environment that traditional clerical dress and vestments, such as the OP mentions, are most prevalent, and they have an ardor for the salvation of souls and the reverent celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
 
Already have. My parish priest has been a family friend for my entire life. The director at my local seminary is advising me as well.
 
Well, yes. I don’t think a cassock or a cape are good factors for discerning an order though.
 
I am aware, fully aware that the clothes are the least important in discernment. Just always thought it was beautiful on a priest and it symbolized the faith.
 
AlbMagno said:
Well, yes. I don’t think a cassock or a cape are good factors for discerning an order though.
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A number of priests and religious including vocations directors would disagree. Fr. Brett Brannen is one who mentions this in To Save A Thousand Souls. According to him attraction to vestments or a religious habit are often the first sign God uses to lead individuals to their vocation. Obviously the call to a vocation will develop beyond that but it can be an important first step in discernment.
 
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God gave us several senses so that we may use them to discern a religious vocation or to married life. Someone listened to a beautiful hymn and another one looked at a painting or statue in church and realised the priesthood or religious life could be for them to discover. There are those who meet with sisters and brothers (in habits) who show a joy that is contagious and that could be the starting point of someone´s vocation to religious life.

Yet another one looked a mother or dad with an infant in her/his arms and knew they were called to marriage.
 
Cuddles57 said:
I am aware, fully aware that the clothes are the least important in discernment. Just always thought it was beautiful on a priest and it symbolized the faith.
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Where I am, I see more priests in cassocks than I do in suits. This is especially true amongst the younger priests. The bishop of the diocese tends to set the tone. My bishop is orthodox and tradition minded. The priest in the diocese tend to be sent to seminaries that are also orthodox and tradition minded.
 
I think the important part is develop.

Of course God will use any means necessary to first call someone. But later other factors, more important, like spiritualities and talents, must be discerned.

But discerning solely on habits, that’s vanity! That’s what I was refering to, solely
 
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