Talk to Priest on Discernment or Date First?

[7discerning7]

Today I cut my religion book, The New Confraternity Edition of the Revised Baltimore Catechism No. 3, in half (not literally, of course) to read a page because I was bored. The first thing I read was:

Young folks who think that they may have a religious vocation should pray fervently for divine guidance, read good books on the religious state, and consult an experienced confessor.

…read good books on the religious state…

Hmm? What do they mean?

…and consult an experienced confessor.

Is a priest friend okay?

-7discerning7

 

[Pablopedro]

I would start a new thread about good books to read regarding the religious state. I’ll bet a lot of people on here will have good advice to offer.

I’m not too familiar with any though…sorry.

 

[7discerning7]

Ok .Will do. Thanks though!

 

[Captain_America]

Another thing I meant to mention regards the “dating” thing.

Dating in your teens and as a young adult will be awkward, exciting, confusing, and fun, no matter what your vocation is.

Think more in terms of the full realization of the different vocations. (i.e. don’t think in terms of dating but instead becoming a Wife and Mother vs. a Nun)

When I was thinking of becoming a Priest when I was younger the Priest I spoke to about it said God will speak to your heart and you will feel if you belong here or not (I was at the seminary). Maybe you could visit a convent even for a day?

This is good advice. I suspect the person who told you dating was just trying to essentially say, “take it easy on things” or grow up a bit more first.

I’d like to point out that I’ve run into doctors who told me that they knew they wanted to be doctors when they were 10 or 11 or so, and just followed that path. It’s reasonable to feel that a person feeling a strong religious calling can do the same.

 

[7discerning7]

This is good advice. I suspect the person who told you dating was just trying to essentially say, “take it easy on things” or grow up a bit more first.

I’d like to point out that I’ve run into doctors who told me that they knew they wanted to be doctors when they were 10 or 11 or so, and just followed that path. It’s reasonable to feel that a person feeling a strong religious calling can do the same.

Hello!

First, nice username!!!

Okay. Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut!

-7discerning7

 

[Monica4316]

Hi!

I started a thread called,“Discernment and seeking Spiritual Director” and I mentioned there that I have an interest in the religious life. Here’s a copy of what I put:

I now know who I’d like to talk to about this but I don’t know if I should talk to him yet. I told a few of my friends (didn’t tell me family yet) about my interest in the religious life and they suggested that I try dating first before I talk to a priest about it.
What do you think? Should I listen to them? What should I do?

Feel free to PM me!

God bless,
7discerning7

Hi, I think if you’re feeling drawn to religious life, I don’t really understand why you would date first. Just my personal opinion. A person dates because they feel drawn to marriage. If you want to discern religious life, dating can be a big distraction for you and could make you confused… I’m discerning religious life and at some points it got really confusing for me even if I considered dating someone. I think you should talk to a priest

 

[7discerning7]

Hi, I think if you’re feeling drawn to religious life, I don’t really understand why you would date first. Just my personal opinion. A person dates because they feel drawn to marriage. If you want to discern religious life, dating can be a big distraction for you and could make you confused… I’m discerning religious life and at some points it got really confusing for me even if I considered dating someone. I think you should talk to a priest

Hi!

Thank you so much for your reply!
Thanks for your opinion. I think I really am being called. At least four people (from what i overheard the past two days) think that I might become a nun.

A few days before you posted (Tuesday) I was able to talk to a priest about it.
He, too, thinks that I am being called. He said,“Many are called.] [F]ew respond and risk.”
When I asked him what he meant by “risk”, he simply said that few risk how their family and other people will respond.

You are discerning too? Cool! I’ll keep you in my prayers.

Keep in touch!
7discerning7

 

[InThePew]

Hi!
A few days before you posted (Tuesday) I was able to talk to a priest about it.
He, too, thinks that I am being called. He said,“Many are called.] [F]ew respond and risk.”
When I asked him what he meant by “risk”, he simply said that few risk how their family and other people will respond.

Yes there is that risk - although I was actually surprised by just how supportive all of my friends were (and still are) - especially those who aren’t Catholic or, in some cases, in any way religious. the other risk though is what might be called the step into the unknown - basically leaving behind a familiar way of life and moving forward into a very unfamiliar one. I think that this fear of the unknown is what holds a lot of people back. At the same time though, while a vocation is a scary thing, in some ways that’s good - it’s not a decision to be made lightly and it’s something which requires you to place your trust in God. fear is a naturl reaction - and a very common one too.

 

[7discerning7]

Yes there is that risk - although I was actually surprised by just how supportive all of my friends were (and still are) - especially those who aren’t Catholic or, in some cases, in any way religious. the other risk though is what might be called the step into the unknown - basically leaving behind a familiar way of life and moving forward into a very unfamiliar one. I think that this fear of the unknown is what holds a lot of people back. At the same time though, while a vocation is a scary thing, in some ways that’s good - it’s not a decision to be made lightly and it’s something which requires you to place your trust in God. fear is a naturl reaction - and a very common one too.

Hello once again!!!

Someone told me that “fear” stands for something: False Evidence Appearing Real. I still can’t get that in my head. -.-

I am having difficulty placing my trust in Him because of conversations I recently heard:

Thursday…
Friend: Wow…she might become a nun!
Mom: I don’t think so…she just really likes playing for the church.

Friday…
Sister Theresa: She’s so talented! I think she might have a calling!
Priest friend: …

Saturday…
Saleswoman: You never know, she might just become a nun.
Mom: I don’t want her to!!!

-7discerning7

 

[Pablopedro]

Hello once again!!!

Someone told me that “fear” stands for something: False Evidence Appearing Real. I still can’t get that in my head. -.-

I am having difficulty placing my trust in Him because of conversations I recently heard:

Thursday…
Friend: Wow…she might become a nun!
Mom: I don’t think so…she just really likes playing for the church.

Friday…
Sister Theresa: She’s so talented! I think she might have a calling!
Priest friend: …

Saturday…
Saleswoman: You never know, she might just become a nun.
Mom: I don’t want her to!!!

-7discerning7

Remember that your vocation is between you and God.

Once you are 18 it will be entirely up to you to decide how your life will go, no one else can make that decision.

And Mom might be more worried about her little girl growing up and leaving the house then anything else.

So don’t worry and don’t fear, just take it a day at a time and listen to what God wants.

 

[7discerning7]

Remember that your vocation is between you and God.

Once you are 18 it will be entirely up to you to decide how your life will go, no one else can make that decision.

And Mom might be more worried about her little girl growing up and leaving the house then anything else.

So don’t worry and don’t fear, just take it a day at a time and listen to what God wants.

Thank you. That is precisely what my priest friend told me (I finally decided to tell him about it), except his mom was worried about her little boy leaving the house.
He also told me to plan on telling my family about my discernment. I asked him why and he said,"…because people discerning need support from their family." I agree with him but
I don’t know how to tell my family, especially my mom.

I find it hard sometimes to not worry and fear…but I try my best.

Please pray for me!

Thanks a bunch! :hug1:
7discerning7

P.S. I’m still open to other comments.