Fr, I am curious, what happens to an individual who as been ordained a transitional deacon and then drops out? Does it take a special process since they are a cleric? What is their status afterwards? Just curious.I only know of a couple that left in Third or Fourth year, including a deacon or two.
I would imagine it’s because we’re dealing with young men ages 18-24 to decide to commit to something that will require the rest of their life with no option to marry or have children. That’s a massive commitment and I cannot think of any other career that comes with this level of sacrifice. It took me 2 degrees before I finally figured out what I wanted to do as a career. I didn’t start my nursing career until 28 years old.Why is it so hard for so many people to “discern”?
However, I personally don’t go entering college programs and spending money - especially if it’s not my own money but is any sort of a grant or a loan or provided by someone else - until I’m sure I’m on the right track. To me, that’s responsible stewardship. There will always be cases where something won’t work out despite best efforts and intentions, but too many young people treat college as someplace to “find themselves”, and I don’t agree with that.
An interesting and tough conversation. I see you as both kind of right…The initial phase of seminary is actually for discerning what one’s vocation is. Either four years of college or two years of pre-theology, this part is discernment before going on to theological studies and preparation for priesthood. That’s why college and pre-theology have such a high turnover rate. It’s part of the process. Someone who might feel a pull toward the priesthood but who isn’t sure would benefit from the environment of discernment of that initial stage.
It seems to me, coming into this with no preconceived notions on the topic, that there’s a discernment culture of sitting around and waiting for God to give a clear answer instead of living life and seeing where you’re pulled. IOW people trying to discern the religious life by sitting around and thinking about the religious life or discerning marriage by sitting around and thinking about marriage instead of discerning the religious life by dipping a toe into the religious life or discerning marriage by dating.Why is it so hard for so many people to “discern”? Since I started participating here I’ve grown to even dislike the use of the word.
I would think one would know or not know in a fairly short amount of time and prayer and the only “discernment” might possibly be the type of religious life or ministry (for example, joining an order rather than being a diocesan priest).
I can see perhaps if there are practical reasons such as worrying about who is going to support your aged parents if you go off to religious life and leave them all alone, but that doesn’t usually seem to be the factor in play in the West.
I get it, the word is overused. But I simply think you are really off base here. I am a cradle Catholic, grew up in a small Catholic community, always new the pastor (the pastor knew everyone), always went to mass, etc,etc,etc. At 18, if you would have asked me what its like being a priest I would have given you a very certain answer, and I would have been very certainly wrong. Having been fortunate enough in my life to become good friends with a couple of priests, I can say with certainty, an 18 year old with only considering it a very short time and prayer cannot possibly know if he really wants to be a priest or not. Not until he gets in the seminary and starts being taught what it is like.Why is it so hard for so many people to “discern”? Since I started participating here I’ve grown to even dislike the use of the word.
I would think one would know or not know in a fairly short amount of time and prayer and the only “discernment” might possibly be the type of religious life or ministry (for example, joining an order rather than being a diocesan priest).
I can see perhaps if there are practical reasons such as worrying about who is going to support your aged parents if you go off to religious life and leave them all alone, but that doesn’t usually seem to be the factor in play in the West.
That dipping a tow into religious life is what starting out in the seminary or becoming a novitiate is all about. That’s what discernment is. Dating is an example of discernment.It seems to me, coming into this with no preconceived notions on the topic, that there’s a discernment culture of sitting around and waiting for God to give a clear answer instead of living life and seeing where you’re pulled. IOW people trying to discern the religious life by sitting around and thinking about the religious life or discerning marriage by sitting around and thinking about marriage instead of discerning the religious life by dipping a toe into the religious life or discerning marriage by dating.
Dating for me was having a good time, not thinking about whether every bloke taking me out to a movie was going to be “the one” or even whether I should get married or not.Dating is an example of discernment.
This is my point. The problem is that often when people say they are discerning they mean that they are doing so intellectually, not experientially. I’m not saying this applies to everybody.That dipping a tow into religious life is what starting out in the seminary or becoming a novitiate is all about. That’s what discernment is. Dating is an example of discernment.
I have no idea. I didn’t grow up Catholic and was never really drawn to ministry, so I have no basis to say.Do you think being an Altar Server counts as experience? although a small one, I’m an Altar Server and I love it
How many dates have you been on?Do you think being an Altar Server counts as experience? although a small one, I’m an Altar Server and I love it