Praying to become a priest BUT

[goldenzeal98]

I am praying for discernment to be ordained in the near future (or just begin the journey so to speak) but I have a problem. I was born and raised as a RC (baptized, had my 1st communion, and confirmed) but when I was a freshman in college I joined the LDS church and just went to and fro exploring different religions i.e. Buddhism, ISKCON BUT the only church I formally joined was the LDS church because I was baptized there. I went to confession a month ago and have been practicing religiously as I once did. NOW, I just recently learned that those who joined a different religion once a Catholic is canonically barred (?) or exempted perpetually from being ordained unless dispensed. For my question: doesn’t confession take away the sin of joining another religion thus making my future ordination valid and un-barred? If not, what should I do? Thanks in advance

 

[TheMortenBay]

You tell your spiritual director, and the vocations director. Then, if they deem you to be the real deal, you’ll get a dispensation from the Bishop. No worries.

 

[upant]

we are praying with you

Let's Pray a Perpetual Rosary Spirituality

for the intention of @goldenzeal98 Praying to become a priest BUT HAIL MARY, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. 3rd HailMary ~ Luminous (3)

 

[Cham65]

I pray this and find it helps

O Lord Jesus Christ, the great High Priest, who dost call chosen souls to offer Thee in sacrifice and to assist Thee in saving souls, I beseech Thee to grant me this high grace though I am most unworthy of it; make me carefully to prepare my heart to receive it and to keep myself pure and lowly that Thou mayest call me to serve Thee at Thine altar.
Amen.
O Mary, Mother of God and my dear mother too, obtain for me this grace from the Sacred Heart of thy dear Son.

 

[TheLittleLady]

This is why there is a priest who is the Vocations Director for every Diocese, or a member of the Order if that is the path you are concerning. It is not a DIY process.

After the Holidays are past (this is a very busy time for priests, and most offices are running on skeleton staff), google “Vocations Office Catholic Diocese of XYZ” and make contact. The person on the other end is trained in every aspect, they can help you.

 

[InThePew]

For my question: doesn’t confession take away the sin of joining another religion thus making my future ordination valid and un-barred? If not, what should I do? Thanks in advance

The short answer is no because forgiveness of sin and the remission of/dispensation from canonical penalties / consequences associated with of certain acts are two different things. A dispensation may not be necessary depending on the circumstances and any mitigating factors (for example problems you were working through at the time, immaturity, etc) but it will also depend on how long has passed since you returned to the Church. This is something which you need to discuss in detail with the vocations director, letting him know all of the circumstances so that he can discuss it with the bishop. While only strictly necessary if you proceed to ordination, it’s best to be fully up front about it from the get go - no bishop is going to appreciate finding this out o the eve of your ordination! A dispensation is certainly possible but it may be a case of “yes, but not yet” in order to allow you more time to settle back into the faith.