New Catholic, Called to Vocation?

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OPSUBoy2010

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I haven’t even been confirmed yet as a member of the Church, I’m still in RCIA and won’t be confirmed until the Easter Vigil. But already, and for some time now, I have experienced what I think is a call to vocation and potentially the priesthood.

About two years ago, shortly after I became a Christian (protestant) an old woman approached me and said that I would make a good pastor. I never saw her again but the words stayed with me. Since then, I’ve continually been drawn to various positions of leadership in different churches. I served as a youth pastor for some time, before moving to a new state for college and later being led to convert to Catholicism. I now serve as cantor for our parish.

I’m only 20 years old and I’m a junior in college–Since first being exposed to the Catholic Church about a year ago, I’ve had thoughts of being a priest and those thoughts have increased in frequency over the past few months. I feel drawn to it. I’m not sure what to do about this. Should I even be thinking about this since I haven’t been confirmed? Should I continue to serve as cantor, or should I speak with my priest about possibly serving as an acolyte once I’m confirmed? I’ve heard that you generally serve as an acolyte before entering seminary and the priesthood.

I really don’t know what to do… Any advice would be much appreciated.
 
It seems that Our Lord is moving very gently with you. I hope that you will move as gently with yourself too. You’re a cantor? How wonderful. As for other responsibilities, speak to your pastor or to the priest who knows you the best. Prayers for you and Welcome to the fullness of Faith!
 
Your Diocese also has a vocations director. They often have gatherings and events that help guide you in the discernment process. It does not hurt to make some inquiries. It is a very long process, designed to help you determine if you really do hear the call. You will not be pushed into it if you are uncomfortable, so feel free to ask questions!
 
Congratulations on your upcoming confirmation!

I definitely don’t think you should be afraid of thinking about a vocation. Of course you don’t want to rush things, but the fact is that you will have no choice but to go slowly and steadily, anyway, since I believe you have to be a Catholic for at least 2 years before you can apply to a seminary. Undoubtedly you will receive many insights over the course of those years, so I would just suggest remaining open and prayerful, and enjoying the process of the enrichment of your faith life in the meantime.

And even if in the end you don’t feel called to the priesthood, your participation in the church community will become a wonderful part of your life, all the same! So no reason not to feel joyful.

Best of luck, and God bless,
+AMDG+
 
Welcome home!!

I am also a convert (2006) and I also felt I might have a religious vocation before I was even confirmed. I was ready to enter the convent the day of the Easter Vigil! I wrote and visited many communites and was, very wisely, advised to wait and make sure it wasn’t overexcitement about my conversion.

At first I was offended…“but my faith is strong!! I want to be a nun…I’m sure of it!”

I have now waited three years, and during those three years, my faith has gone through a lot. I’ve done a LOT of research and recieved the sacraments as often as possible. Peaks and low spots…but it has remained strong and grows ever stronger still. You’re probably wondering, do I still feel called? YES! But now it is more of a calm, peaceful feeling…rather than the urgent, overwhelming feeling at the beginning.

Because I was told “no”, I’ve had the opportunity to mature and find a community of Catholic friends. I am grateful now for the rejection I recieved before. Not only was it humbling, but I have gained invaluable life experience since then, and can bring even more of myself to my future community.

If you are called, know that it will never happen as fast as you want it to. This is on God’s time, never our own. If you are called, it will be like a weight on your heart, which can be somewhat daunting at times, but it is a gift as well. Have courage and faith! You are not alone in this (coming from a fellow convert who is on the same path as you! please PM me if you want to talk further!)
 
Well, I’m a guy. So I don’t think I’d make a very good nun. lol…

I understand what’s been said about taking it slow and waiting to make sure it’s God talking and not just my own ambition. That makes sense. But I feel like God is shoving me through the doors in some ways. I was asked to be cantor after my first mass. Seriously. The priest didn’t even know me and yet he was asking me to do it as soon as I got to his parish. I took that on because I felt like it was a way that I could serve the Church and that it might help me grow spiritually. Then yesterday at mass, I was asked to recite Christ’s part in the two passions. That’s something that has, to my knowledge, always been reserved for a priest.

I dream about the priesthood some nights when I sleep, I think about it throughout the day, and I can’t help but feel that this is somehow an urgent thing. I know the priesthood is suffering, that the Church is having difficulty recruiting young men to serve in the various orders… Could it be that I’m supposed to jump into this? If God wants me to take it slow, why does He keep putting things right in front of me?
 
JMJ

I can only reiterate what VanillaBean has said; take it slowly. I, too, desired to become a nun since before my reception into the Church. I, too, have been told that I should wait anywhere from one to three years after my conversion to move into active discernment. And now, two years later, I still desire a religious vocation as strongly as ever.

You speak of dreaming of being a priest. I’ve dreamt of being a nun, but dreams tend to be our mind’s way of working through our day’s thoughts, desires, and experiences. If you think about priesthood anywhere near as constantly as I think about religious life, and it sounds like you do, then it is not suprising at all that those thoughts would frequently find way into your dreams.

Please, make some attempt to talk with your diocesan vocations director and also seek a spiritual director for yourself if you do not already have one. It can be hard to have to wait when you are certain of your vocation, but maybe you can just treat as a cross and a test in patience and humility.

I want to say more but I’m about to be automatically logged off of this library computer. I’ll be praying for you. 🙂
 
Cloisters said:
Three years before one can enter religious life after becoming Catholic.

If you’re feeling attracted to the cloister, you can peruse my site:

cloisters.tripod.com/

Blessings,
Cloisters
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Does this mean I can’t enter seminary for 3 years? Or, could my time in seminary count toward those 3 years?
 
OPSUBoy2010 said:
Does this mean I can’t enter seminary for 3 years? Or, could my time in seminary count toward those 3 years?
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I would think you’d be able to discuss your vocation with the vocations director of the diocese before that time is up. I don’t think you can be in the seminary for those three years, though.

Just rely on the information the diocesan vocation director gives you. That’s the most reliable.

Blessings,
Cloisters
 
Yes, talk to the Vocation Director in your diocese. Get some advices from him - he might suggest that you could take some courses in Philosophy (and Theology if available) at your current college. Some of these courses may be transferred once you enter seminary.
 
I don’t think the three years rule applies to every order…I would ask a vocation director for that one. I know a dominican nun who entered the convent very soon after her confirmation. In fact, we entered the church on the same day. I was told to wait, while she was accepted right away.
 
You have been invited. No doubt about it. Orders or Diocesan. That’s your choice now.

You have all of the classic signs of being called. Really, I know. Don’t worry about the time issue.
  1. Become confirmed (Easter is not here yet. You have to wait).
  2. Finish your degree (that takes time, doesn’t it?)
  3. Visit communites or major seminaries (that takes time, too).
  4. Endure *four years *of Master’s level study and get your M. Div (four years is a lot of time, hunh). Unless you go the orders direction then you’ll have the novitiate process, etc.
Do you see what I’m getting at?

Follow the signs. This is a time of omens for you. You will see things, and something will strike a chord; it will resonate inside you. If you don’t have a vocation, there will be time enough to jump ship along the way (just try not to get shoved off the gangplank). And there is still a long way to go.

Often I am a nay-sayer when it comes to converts proclaiming their desire to become professed and/or ordained. But as I said before, you have all of the classic signs. Just do something.

Some are called and say “yes.”
Some are called and say “no.”
Some think they are called and say “yes.” Boy that’s painful.
Some don’t think they’re called, but they are. They find themselves one day saying Mass not sure exactly how they got there. I’ve seen that, too.

You are in the first group. So far…
 
OPSUBoy2010 said:
Does this mean I can’t enter seminary for 3 years? Or, could my time in seminary count toward those 3 years?
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The M. Div is a degree that not only priests get; you can be a lay person and get the M. Div (a requirement for ordination). That might mean that you won’t live in a seminary, but you could be in contact with one and after year three you could apply to the seminary for your fourth year in time to become a deacon.

There are ways around these things, especially if your vocation director thinks you have a vocation as much as you do. Get on the phone and call someone locally.

You have all the signs. If you need a stomping, God will stomp you so don’t worry about that. Getting the M. Div as a non-seminarian could be beneficial as well.

The point is: start walking.
 
I’ve contacted the Vocations Director for the Missouri Province of the Jesuits. That’s my first lead… I’ve also arranged to spend several days each at a Trappist monastery in Kentucky and a Benedictine monastery in Oklahoma. I think the best thing for me to do is to experience first hand as much as I can… Before making a choice.
 
OPSUBoy2010 said:
I’ve contacted the Vocations Director for the Missouri Province of the Jesuits. That’s my first lead… I’ve also arranged to spend several days each at a Trappist monastery in Kentucky and a Benedictine monastery in Oklahoma. I think the best thing for me to do is to experience first hand as much as I can… Before making a choice.
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Thomas Merton was a Trappist in Kentucky. Maybe you’re going to his monestary. I don’t know if that’s for you just yet, as the Trappists are kind of known as the “Marines” of contempletives. And I was told that by a Benedictine monk from the Phillipines. But still, go check them out.

Yes, of course, you’re not making choices yet, just moving. Good steps. I will pray for you. But as you have all the “classic signs” I just wanted to affirm you. Peace.
 
I am tired and it is late, so I apologize for repeating anything from in the previous posts. ( I need an emoticon for falling asleep at the computer.)

I am a convert (class of 2006) and have been wanting to be a nun since I was 7. I told one of my friends at the time who loudly reminded me that I was not Catholic. So - yes it is possible to have a call to the religous life before you are enter the Church. 🙂

It sounds like you are on the right path in discerning. Take your time though - it’s good just to be Catholic for a bit. I’m praying for you!!!

As a side note- take a look at this:
**29 days until Easter and you are CATHOLIC!!! :extrahappy::dancing::extrahappy: **
 
I’m curious what is it about being a priest or nun that attracted you guys? I’m asking because I’m discerning but not ready yet. I want to make the right decision.
 
oh my dear tee :hug3:

you are “discerning but not ready yet”…that is the very definition of discernment!! I’ve been doing it for three years, so don’t you worry about not being ready yet :aok:

In those three years I have come a long way…and now, finally, I am pretty positive that God is calling me to be a nun. YAY!!! haha…actually, the past few days I finally took the plunge and started admitting it to myself (this is probably the scariest part…because it feels like you are making a comittment already).

How did I know?

1- In general, just feeling different. I always have. Not in a judgemental way at all…I just don’t enjoy the partying or dating scene. Not because I think its all bad, but it just doesn’t appeal to me as being “fun”. You feel like you are in this world but not of it, necessarily.

2- Subtle signs (or not so subtle…). A few examples: (3 years ago) watching a documentary about the Missionaries of Charity. Afterwards the professor asked, incredulously, wether any of us could see ourselves doing that. I didn’t even notice my hand had shot up until everyone in the class was staring at me (some where laughing…). I wasn’t even Catholic yet…nor had I even considered becoming one :eek:. The signs grew more obvious…to another example a few days ago…I was watching a youtube video of some sisters taking their vows and tears were pouring downs my face…my heart ached…hurt, actually.

3 - HUNGER…for God. Mass is amazing. Its my favorite time of day. I can’t get enough. At the end I want more…" Is it over already? Nooo!!!" Prayer is something we can do whenever we want…but still, imagine living in a community that is centered around Mass, Prayer, and service. My heart desires Him…in a way I can’t explain.

4 - To quote Mother Theresa when asked how a women knows she is called: " She knows, she knows."

…and it might take a while to admit it, or to confront it…but as someone else told me once, you will be selling yourself short if you are anything less than what you were MADE to be. God has plans for you. Will you say “yes!”…whether its marriage or the religious life?

So…happy discerning! I do hope you are braver and/or more in tune with yourself than I have been. The key to everything: PRAYER!!!
 
VanillaBean said:
oh my dear tee :hug3:

you are “discerning but not ready yet”…that is the very definition of discernment!! I’ve been doing it for three years, so don’t you worry about not being ready yet :aok:

In those three years I have come a long way…and now, finally, I am pretty positive that God is calling me to be a nun. YAY!!! haha…actually, the past few days I finally took the plunge and started admitting it to myself (this is probably the scariest part…because it feels like you are making a comittment already).

How did I know?

1- In general, just feeling different. I always have. Not in a judgemental way at all…I just don’t enjoy the partying or dating scene. Not because I think its all bad, but it just doesn’t appeal to me as being “fun”. You feel like you are in this world but not of it, necessarily.

2- Subtle signs (or not so subtle…). A few examples: (3 years ago) watching a documentary about the Missionaries of Charity. Afterwards the professor asked, incredulously, wether any of us could see ourselves doing that. I didn’t even notice my hand had shot up until everyone in the class was staring at me (some where laughing…). I wasn’t even Catholic yet…nor had I even considered becoming one :eek:. The signs grew more obvious…to another example a few days ago…I was watching a youtube video of some sisters taking their vows and tears were pouring downs my face…my heart ached…hurt, actually.

3 - HUNGER…for God. Mass is amazing. Its my favorite time of day. I can’t get enough. At the end I want more…" Is it over already? Nooo!!!" Prayer is something we can do whenever we want…but still, imagine living in a community that is centered around Mass, Prayer, and service. My heart desires Him…in a way I can’t explain.

4 - To quote Mother Theresa when asked how a women knows she is called: " She knows, she knows."

…and it might take a while to admit it, or to confront it…but as someone else told me once, you will be selling yourself short if you are anything less than what you were MADE to be. God has plans for you. Will you say “yes!”…whether its marriage or the religious life?

So…happy discerning! I do hope you are braver and/or more in tune with yourself than I have been. The key to everything: PRAYER!!!
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I can see myself in your words! Wow! What a beautiful journey it’s been!👍
 
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