Possible call to the priesthood

[whitechocolatebear]

Three times in the last week I have attempted my daily rosary and something unusual happens. I struggle for upwards of an hour to focus, and throughout my struggle to focus I am flooded with thoughts of the priesthood. Not visions, but endless disjointed thoughts of seminary and priestly life. I see myself in various scenarios acting as a priest, or see myself in a seminary living out day to day tasks. And it goes on throughout the rosary, taking me an hour or more to finish it. This morning I ran out of time for my long run because I took exactly one hour to pray my rosary with these thoughts invading my brain.

I fear they are sent to me by evil forces. I also fear they are sent by God. But most of all I fear they are just my early morning imaginations and now I’m sitting hear putting to much thought into it. I have thought about priesthood, but whenever I am at church and watch the priest I feel frozen and think to myself ‘I could never do what he does, I’m not capable of that’. I’m quiet and reserved by nature. I want to pick up a trade and be left alone for my whole life. But it this is a sign that I need to get closer to priestly discernment, I guess I’d be damned to ignore it. If you’re a priest on here please weigh in.

 

[OddBird]

It seems this hasn’t been going on for very long - or have I misread you ?

Discernment usually takes some time.

‘I could never do what he does, I’m not capable of that’

I’m not sure anybody ever is, except by the grace of God.

Maybe Father @edward_george1 or Father @InThePew could be able to help.

You will be in my prayers.

 

[whitechocolatebear]

Been on my mind since a St Andrews dinner a few years ago, this year I have been more and more interested. Thanks for your prayers

 

[rivera01]

Discernment takes time and patience, especially for what God wants for you. Everyone’s vocation journey is different and the journey itself isn’t the same for everyone.

I would not fret over the thoughts that come to your mind, especially when you are going pious devotions such as the rosary. Focus on your devotions and in being in the state of grace. Talk to a priest, it may be difficult to do at this time due to covid-19 and what not, but if an in person session is available, maybe over the phone or video chat.

 

[Anne1964]

If you’ve been discerning for a few years and now are having these thoughts while praying the Rosary, it would be a good idea to talk with a priest or perhaps the vocations director of your diocese.

While it’s true that discernment is a process and takes awhile, sometimes God does send messages to get one’s attention.

I would not discount what you’re experiencing.

 

[TheIttyBitty]

If you have no intention/desire to marry/remarry and are widowed or unencumbered, consider reaching out to someone recommended by your territorial Parish or the Church you attend. Mine has a bulletin which publishes a phone number to call. You could also ask your local Priest and see who they recommend to talk to you for discernment.

It sounds like you are being called. This is merely opinion, but your less-than-outgoing disposition should be not so relevant. Have courage though: courage to make the step toward a good discernment.

 

[InThePew]

I have thought about priesthood, but whenever I am at church and watch the priest I feel frozen and think to myself ‘I could never do what he does, I’m not capable of that’. I’m quiet and reserved by nature. I want to pick up a trade and be left alone for my whole life. But it this is a sign that I need to get closer to priestly discernment, I guess I’d be damned to ignore it. If you’re a priest on here please weigh in.

Since you asked

There’s no one kind of priest - I know some who are highly extroverted and have a strong personality, while others I’ve met are very reserved, almost shy. At the risk of stating the obvious, diocesan priesthood in particular involves getting up and speaking in front of people and, while that’s not necessarily something that needs to come naturally or even easily to a priest it is something that they need to be capable of doing.

As a friend of mine once put it, God calls those who most need His help - and I know that’s certainly true of me. If you’re looking at your priest and thinking “I could never do that” then perhaps that’s not such a bad thing and, in some ways, better than thinking “well that’s looks real easy, I bet I could do it just as well as he does”.

The most important quality in a priest is a willingness to live the people of God - something which is far from easy at times - to use the phrase from Micah: “to act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with your God”.

Any vocation requires confirmation by another so, to start with, I suggest making an appointment with your priest, telling him your story, and see where it goes from there.

Edit: one final thought - fear is actually quite a common reaction amongst those discerning a call to priesthood!