Study obligations? (Priesthood)

[zecul505]

My question concerns the study obligations required when entering the Priesthood.

Throughout my life I have had a poor educational experience. I have been relocated many times due to family, including one international move, and I have missed a total of three years in highschool. Upon arriving in my current area I was pushed ahead two grades (9th grade to the 11th grade) as the syllabus is structured by age and students graduate two years earlier than typical students in North America. This relocation was during the concluding months of the 11th grade in my new area, so my highschool education was restricted to one actual year of study. As a result of this, and a history of being bullied which continued, I had little desire to study. I would go as far as to say school conjures up feelings of hostility and aversion, even now that I have graduated and left. However as I am now faced with studying I feel I lack many of the basic skills I would have acquired in my years missed.

During my one year extended study I felt a calling to God. When reflecting on poor mid-year results I was using a search engine to look at possible career options and I came across a result for the Priesthood. Before my interest in the Priesthood arose I had wanted to be a police officer. From my early teens and to date, my hero is a policeman and seeing his actions along with reading about his life’s success story inspired me to work towards becoming a great man like he is. As I saw this result for the Priesthood I gave it serious consideration and felt it could be an appropriate decision for my life. I really began to apply myself to the philosophy course I was taking and achieved a reasonable, yet inferior, C+ and my other courses which I wasn’t as applied to resulted in fails. Despite this, and adequate highschool reuslts, I have successfully become an external student with my local university’s philosophy diploma program which has a route into a BA of Philosophy.

My first attempt was to apply to the BA directly, and this was given special consideration, but due to my previous results attained I was given an offer to the diploma course. I accepted this and received my study materials mid-December, but postponed beginning the course until the New Year. I have been working for three weeks and, while I have nearly completed half of my first unit of four, I haven’t been enjoying my efforts.

My initial impression of distance learning was that it would be an excellent way to free myself from the bondage of school life where I had been unhappy for many years, but instead I find myself uninterested, unmotivated and bored in my study. I had really enjoyed the topic during the extended year and am grasping the course content fine now, but I’m no longer excited by it. The thought of Seminary study has always been quite a big hesitation of mine and now that I am making first attempts at the material I feel further driven away.

I accept it is very early in my study and I have much more coursework to cover. However with boredom setting in the prospect of studying for such an extended period of time terrifies me. Becoming a police officer has become the thrilling ambition it once was, but I would hate to serve as an officer and realize God intended the Priesthood for me when it is too late and I’m unable to carry out His Will. Like many of those who’re discerning their vocation I have used the various resources available to me on the internet. Everything has felt positive with statements suggesting I could do it and now I’m not sure at all while becoming quite restless on my journey.

So my question to those who have successfully found their purpose is: Did God give you the motivation and strength needed to carry yourself to the end goal? If Priesthood was indeed the option was/is your study life positive? I would greatly appreciate a push in the right direction. I was given the name of our Dioceses’ Vocation Director two years ago but unfortunately he has not been able to reply.

 

[briami]

Hey,

I know that you have been waiting for an answer since January. Hopefully I will be able to give you a little bit of an idea of what you can expect.

FYI, I graduated with a BS in December. I was planning on going to medical school but began to realize that if there was even a small possibility that I was being called to the priesthood that I needed to consider it. So, I set-up a meeting with our diocese’s Vocations Director and I started the process. I have been accepted and will be starting Pre-Theology studies in August. While I expect to finish the program and be ordained a priest, I know that it is possible that God may have other plans for me. I am going to the seminary to really pray about my vocation and to explore how I can use my gifts to further expand the Kingdom of God. If I am not called to become a priest…I can leave. It is not a prison!

That is great that you have been trying to study philosophy. It is a great first step. If you were to apply right now for the seminary, you would probably be enrolled as either a 1st or 2nd year Collegian. You would take general classes required for a BA like Math, Science, English, another Language, History, and Philosophy. However, you should try to take some classes at a community college before you go (unless you were able to start seminary this Fall). Don’t be embarrassed if you need to take some remedial classes for no college credit. At least you will have a foundation and help boost your confidence level. You sound like a really intelligent person. I don’t think you should focus so much on the academic part but really pray about it and talk to your Vocation director and/or spiritual director.

In my city, an associates degree is required to start the police academy and a Bachelor’s degree is required for the Highway Patrol. Either way you go, will require you to put in some work. However, that is life. We are called to push ourselves outside of our comfort zones so we can grow. Don’t sweat it. You are not the only one in your situation.

God Bless!

 

[archonnx]

I can understan with alot of your story, I to was moved around alot. As aresult I was homeschooled, not that homescholling is bad, but I have always had problums with school and study. I was just told today that the vocationc director wants me to wait another year before I can join because of my college grades. So keep in their and fight the good fight. Whatever you are called to, that is where you will end up. Focus on prayer and the studying will come, Christ does not call people just to have them unable to complete the call.