Strengths and Limitations

[NPC]

Does anyone have any ideas, guidelines or links to useful websites which would help to discover ones strengths and limitations in relation to priesthood or religious life? Of course this is a big question for anyone who is discerning a religious vocation, and I think it would be useful if there was something along the lines of a good examination of conscience to get one thinking about what their strengths and limitations might be - sometimes they don’t just spring to mind Thanks.

 

[Tybourne]

Does anyone have any ideas, guidelines or links to useful websites which would help to discover ones strengths and limitations in relation to priesthood or religious life?

Hi, there are good Catholic links on temperament here: fisheaters.com/fourtemperaments.html

and here: 4marks.com/temperaments.html

These descriptions and ‘tests’ are not scientific, but can give you a good idea of your strengths and areas of limitation. You also need to consider your cognitive gifts and limitations.

God speed brother! Remember, the Lord will not be outdone in generosity.

 

[NPC]

Hi, there are good Catholic links on temperament here: fisheaters.com/fourtemperaments.html

and here: 4marks.com/temperaments.html

These descriptions and ‘tests’ are not scientific, but can give you a good idea of your strengths and areas of limitation. You also need to consider your cognitive gifts and limitations.

God speed brother! Remember, the Lord will not be outdone in generosity.

Very interesting. Thank you…I’ll have a closer look at those links tomorrow!

 

[Tybourne]

Thank you…I’ll have a closer look at those links tomorrow!

You’re welcome, NPC. So, how’s it going? Did these add any insight for you? Praying for you. God bless.

 

[NPC]

You’re welcome, NPC. So, how’s it going? Did these add any insight for you?

They are both very interesting…reading about the four humours reminded me of being in school studying Shakespeare’s Hamlet - our teacher must have referenced the humours when we were discussing the character of Hamlet!

As to myself, the test on 4marks says that I am a choleric-melancholic! I took the test on two separate occasions and came up with the same overall result but with differing ratios of choleric:melancholic - first was 77:23, second was 50:50… Nice to know that I share my temperament with several saints and beata. The lists of strengths and weaknesses are good - though not limited to the ones in the choleric-melancholic sections: I’m sure there’s a bit of a phlegmatic and a sanguine in me too!!

Praying for you. God bless.

That is lovely to know. Thank you. You shall be in my prayers too.

 

[Tybourne]

the test on 4marks says that I am a choleric-melancholic!

Great stuff- yes, the choleric-melancholic combo is one that many of the saints seem to have shared. I hope your discernment will continue to go well. If you find this avenue fruitful, you may find some good challenges and pointers in The Temperament God Gave You by Art and Laraine Bennett (Sophia Press). Art is an orthodox Catholic and a registered marriage and family therapist. He has some good insights into spirituality and temperament. It’s the spirituality or charism of the different religious orders that differentiates them, as I’m sure you know. Enjoy the journey!