Saints who never knew if they chose rightly?

[SighGuy]

Hey everyone!

I am just looking to see if there are any saints you can think of who never really knew whether they made the right choice in life. I trust God, and even if His will was that I be permitted to doubt my choices right into the grave, that’s what He chose for my best. I’m just scared that, if that’s really how it goes, I might become compromised and depressed, and end up a sort of gloomy moralist.

Were there any saints that never really knew whether they chose right? I mean, not just here and there, but right up to the end, wondered if they answered the right calling? Does God let us know for sure when we took the right path in life, or does He leave it unanswered for some?

Thanks for letting me know…

 

[BarbTh]

I’m just scared that, if that’s really how it goes, I might become compromised and depressed, and end up a sort of gloomy moralist.

I don’t know, I am sorry, of any saints offhand who doubted their actual chosen and effected vocation, which does not mean that such saints do not exist. Certainly many of our saints have suffered deeply for one reason or another and for a very long time in their chosen vocation, some even to their death bed. We can be totally sure and trustful, confident, that where God permits suffering, He also provides the necessary Graces to endure same - as you rightly point out.

Your probable best path is to seek spiritual direction and in this situation, you will be able in hope to open up completely to the director who can then accompany and facilitate your discernment journey. It is not always at all a quite straight path of being sure of one’s call - it can be a very windy road with many matters needing discussion, addressing, perhaps even overcome. Catholic Discussion sites such as CA here can be a wonderful resource indeed - sometimes however where quite personal matters especially are concerned they might add to confusion with different opinions put forward.

This Jesuit article might assist, while your best path is spiritual direction

thinkjesuit.org/home/resources/articles-books/fear-and-the-vocational-discernment-process/
Quoting from the article:
“Clearly, engaging in a good vocational discernment process can be a tricky, often challenging business that can include periods of confusion, doubt, and uncertainty. Dealing with the questions that inevitably come up requires skillful discernment of spirits. That is one reason that daily personal prayer, frequent mass attendance, and regular spiritual direction are essential components of the decision-making process – especially in the final, often more subtle stages.”

God bless you and bring you His Complete Peace in your discernment journey.

.

 

[CarmelJerome]

For those who are officially recognized by the Church, whether they are on the first step to canonization or have been raised to the altars, the question drops away because it ceases to be relevant the more God Himself is occupying & directing the will and the reason. A saint might have a long period of uncertainty before they do find their vocation- mainly I think of St. John of God in 16th century Spain. But resignation to the will of God and indifference to the very question is part of achieving holiness.

 

[BarbTh]

For those who are officially recognized by the Church, whether they are on the first step to canonization or have been raised to the altars, the question drops away because it ceases to be relevant the more God Himself is occupying & directing the will and the reason. A saint might have a long period of uncertainty before they do find their vocation- mainly I think of St. John of God in 16th century Spain. But resignation to the will of God and indifference to the very question is part of achieving holiness.

Important post, I though, especially the last sentence.

 

[SuS33]

From what I’ve been reading, and learning Saints do get to that points when do doubt themselves and choices. For example. Saint Thérèse of Lisieux at a point of her life gave up and started doubting even God and the purpose of life. She was very sick at the end. But her confessor and the other sisters helped her through it and strengthened her in her journey. So at the very end she died faithful and sure.

I wish I could give you a source. My phone is acting up and not letting me read about her life. I could have misunderstood something. If you could research about her you may learn the truth.

However please don’t miss understand their doubts as a particularly a good thing. But it’s a test from God to strengthen their faith and supposedly leading them back to him.

 

[SighGuy]

Thank you for your advice and encouragement, everyone. Actually, I do know what you are in reference to regards the Little Flower. I guess I can try to give spiritual direction a try. I apologize anyways, as when I posted this I was in darker spirits. I go through highs and lows very suddenly and then normalize again.

 

[SuS33]

Thank you for your advice and encouragement, everyone. Actually, I do know what you are in reference to regards the Little Flower. I guess I can try to give spiritual direction a try. I apologize anyways, as when I posted this I was in darker spirits. I go through highs and lows very suddenly and then normalize again.

I think we all do. The key is that when we are in a dark place not to stop our trust in God, even if we can’t feel his presence. I was very happy yesterday, I witnessed a miracle on Saturday and yesterday God answered my prayers about something again. Then at the last hours of the day something happened and turned my mood 180°. For a moment I lost hope, then I reminded myself of all the great things God had given me so far and how he is always with me. I offered my suffering to Jesus and apologized for my temporary lack of faith. I’m not worried anymore. He will take care of everything cuz he is the good Shepherd.

In my belief, all the saint went through dark times in their lives but their perseverance is what turned them into saints. So you and I are not the only ones that have doubts or dark moments.

 

[Barzillai]

[The] resignation to the will of God and indifference to the very question is part of achieving holiness.

Wise poster BarbTh pointed out the importance of this sentence to a proper understanding. It deserves much consideration by hearts seeking God.