No, God, No!

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LordNecro

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I don’t want to be a priest!

But I feel as though He is calling me. Constantly!

I know that I should just put my trust in him, and sometimes I can, but still… I don’t want to!

People say to discern, how does one do that? I’m trying to pray in different ways to try and understand but it’s so difficult!

Arrrrgh!!

I’m going on a retreat the end of next month though, a vocational one.
 
Just out of vulgar curiosity, why did you choose the name, ‘Lord Necro’?

About discernment: I would guess the gifts of Heaven come in peace. I find if you make the right decision about something, you feel good about it the day after. If something is not right, it’ll nag you.
 
LordNecro said:
I don’t want to be a priest!

But I feel as though He is calling me. Constantly!

I know that I should just put my trust in him, and sometimes I can, but still… I don’t want to!

People say to discern, how does one do that? I’m trying to pray in different ways to try and understand but it’s so difficult!
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This is not an uncommon feeling. I recommend the book “Could You Ever Become a Catholic Priest?” Alba House has it.
 
God will never call you to something that won’t fulfill all of your needs, and give you true happiness.

Not that that helps, because it can mean either you aren’t truly called, or that you need to surrender and take that leap of faith. I suggest that if you don’t already, prayer the Liturgy of the Hours, a prayer that all priests say. You can buy an actual breviary(in one or four volumes) but I recommend you start with something like www.universalis.com, as the books are a fair amount of money. It is a beautiful prayer, but it is also very challenging on the spirit. The site doesn’t have everything(antiphons for example), but is a good starting point.

I also recommend that you read the call of Jeremiah in the OT, which has helped me immensely in my discernment.

Lastly, say yes to God. Give him first choice. It is possible that He is simply planting the call to bring you to something completely different. Where I am now, there is a program for people who feel called, and many will drop out over the course of the years, and get married. But had they not taken that jump to come to the program, they never would have met their beautiful wives. Just remember, God knows what’s best for you.
 
Thank you very much for the Liturgy of the Hours idea. I’ve got to say, being able to do that uninterrupted as part of my daily life was one of the appealing things about the priesthood!

As for my name, that is my pseudonym in a black metal band, lol.

Thank you all for your advice x
 
“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” St Augustine once wrote in his Confessions.

I went through a very similar experience too. I felt called and for a year I battled with what to do, and I was trying to ‘bargain’ a way out of it and used many excuses to convince myself that I was not worthy, and certainly not willing to entertain the idea. It was a very difficult year, a rollercoaster ride of trying discern what to do, and it was not a peaceful place. Through prayer and reflection I found that all these obstacles, and things that I was holding onto, became easier to overcome and let go, and very nervously I spoke to a priest about it and he helped me to discern.

To cut a rather long story short, the moment that I decided to trust God, I felt completely at peace. I know there is a long way to go still, I am in my third year of training to be a priest, but I can honestly say that I have never been happier in my life.

If this feeling of being called does not go away, talk to a priest that you know and trust, ask him to help you discern. He will help you to reflect on the feeling of being called, and if there is a calling, he will help you to come to terms with it. We only find our true fulfilment in doing God’s will, and this is often not the easiest path, but God does not expect you to do this alone, He is there for you every step of the way.

I know this was a bit of a ramble, but as I was in a similar situation I thought I should share this with you.

I will keep you in my prayers…:gopray2:
 
kxaddiso said:
“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” St Augustine once wrote in his Confessions.

I went through a very similar experience too. I felt called and for a year I battled with what to do, and I was trying to ‘bargain’ a way out of it and used many excuses to convince myself that I was not worthy, and certainly not willing to entertain the idea. It was a very difficult year, a rollercoaster ride of trying discern what to do, and it was not a peaceful place. Through prayer and reflection I found that all these obstacles, and things that I was holding onto, became easier to overcome and let go, and very nervously I spoke to a priest about it and he helped me to discern.

To cut a rather long story short, the moment that I decided to trust God, I felt completely at peace. I know there is a long way to go still, I am in my third year of training to be a priest, but I can honestly say that I have never been happier in my life.

If this feeling of being called does not go away, talk to a priest that you know and trust, ask him to help you discern. He will help you to reflect on the feeling of being called, and if there is a calling, he will help you to come to terms with it. We only find our true fulfilment in doing God’s will, and this is often not the easiest path, but God does not expect you to do this alone, He is there for you every step of the way.

I know this was a bit of a ramble, but as I was in a similar situation I thought I should share this with you.

I will keep you in my prayers…:gopray2:
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Am so very glad you posted … I think it is for this very reason the website is of such immense value. I would only add to “kxaddiso” that yes go on retreats and for sure for sure talk to a priest and maybe vocations director… they will help you through discernment good luck and blessings
 
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