Thinking about the priesthood or religious life.

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My vocation is Wife and Mother. I am fully commited to my vocation and respect all others as well. Sometimes I think about how wonderful it would be to be a nun and not have to struggle with issues such as childbirth and pressure from society (doctors, spouses,family members) to use birth control. I sometimes wish I had time to develop my talents and go to daily Mass more often, But I wouldn’t change a thing, I love the person I have become through being pruned in these struggles, and I know nuns have their own struggles.
 
My vocation is also motherhood.

However, my oldest son has been consistently (for the past 3 years) been making remarks which lead me to believe he may be called to the priesthood. However, he has a few years (he’ll be 11 in October) to go before anything like a serious commitment to that path can take place. For now, he just loves serving at the altar.
 
I am reading Fulton Sheen’s book, The Moral Universe. I found his chaper entitled, “Roses in God’s Garden” to be most applicable and, indeed, moving concerning the notion of relgious vocation. I thought that I would share a portion…

" In the human family is a human rose with its own real father and mother, brothers and sisters, hopes and aspirations for the future, its own real laughter and its own real tears. From our the high heavens there comes the Hand of the Everlasting Gardener who plucks up the human rose and destroys its life, insofar as its human environment is concerned, for that young man or woman has human life and the right to live it. But there is no injustice done nor murder committed, for as the hand of man is above the earthly rose, so the Hand of God is above the human soul, and may use it to His own sweet purposes – and God’s purposes are always sweet.
" But it may be asked, what benefit accrues to the poor rose which is plucked from the earthyl gardens? It is put into a crystal vase, refreshing waters are poured on it from day to day; it is touched by human hands, it may even be pressed to human lips, and like anoter John may be priveleged to tabernacle its crimson head upon the breast of the Eucharistic Emmanuel. Its earthly life is shortened, yes. But what a beautiful life it now begins to lead with man!
" In like manner, when God plucks the young human heart from the garden of the human family, it is placed in the crystal vase of His Church, refreshing waters of sanctifying grace are poured on it from day to day, it is touched by the hands of the saints and the Mother of God, and is pressed in daily communion to the Heart of Christ. Its human life is shortened, yes. But what a beautiful life it now begins to lead with God!"
 
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frdave20:
I am reading Fulton Sheen’s book, The Moral Universe. I found his chaper entitled, “Roses in God’s Garden” to be most applicable and, indeed, moving…
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Thank you for the quote; it is indeed moving and appropriate.
 
I have essentially finished discerning my vocation. I believe fully that I am called to be a priest. I absolutely detest the Protestant heresy, so it is a shame that was not born before the liturgical revolution, or I could have been a Jesuit (I do not think there is a need for me to give my reasoning that this is not the Order for me…). In any event, my only real options are the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter or a Traditional Latin Mass monastery (in this case, the abbot decides who will be a priest and who will be a brother). I have pretty much committed to the Fraternity, but I have to complete two years of college and be at least 19 years old (both of which I will fulfill in the next two years because I am in a joint-enrollment program where I can take college classes full time next year, my senior year). This is the only opportunity for me to be a parish priest who is non-diocesan (I could join the Institute of Christ the King or the Society of Saint John Cansius, which are also TLM Orders, but they can be told to say the NO Mass if there are priests lacking, so the Fraternity is my only way of assuring myself of being a parish priest and never saying a NO Mass). I suppose that I am happy with the fact that the choices are so narrow because there is no real, difficult decision to be made, so it is easier to focus on other endeavors (spiritual, theological, etc).
 
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Meggie:
Many people have said I would be a good nun. Many say I would be a good mom. My spiritual director sais I should wait and see where God leads me before I set my heart on anything particular.

Sometimes I really want to be a nun, sometimes I want to be a mom. I am very, very attracted to the religious life and could be happy praying and serving God alone all day, but in my heart I can also hear God telling me He has a great plan for me and Him alone may not be it…
On a shallower note it would totally tee off my parents if I became a nun:D

Meggie
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Wow Meggie, someone else who feels just the way I do! It’s so hard to discern the difference between what God wants and what I want when I know I could do much good as a Sister or a mother.

Also, how do you deal with people who jokingly remark that you’ll become a nun, like my family. They don’t mean it in a mean way, but they don’t know how it feels when you are serious about it. Actually they would love for someone in my family to become a nun, so ask me often, but I feel kind of embarrassed to say anything, just kind of shrug, then they think I am thinking “no way!” but I feel just the opposite.

I went to this vocations retreat a while ago but was so shy to tell my parents, I didn’t say anything till the night before really quickly like “oh theres this retreat thing, can you give me a ride?” then took a shower and went to sleep right after, which I know wasn’t good communication and blah blah blah… Its not that I think they won’t support me, my mom wanted to be a nun, and my dad was in the seminary for 3 years (but then they both decided their vocation was in medicine and met later on in a hospital. how cute!)Then after the retreat the priest commented to my abuelita (he comes over a lot for dinner) that I was there so she told my whole family and, I feel like now everyone knows something so personal about me, then I feel bad for feeling embarrassed, isn’t a calling to a vocation(if I have one), something to be happy about, not embarrassed?

Sorry this is just rambling and probably isn’t even coherent. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated!

p.s. check out this incredible website for vocations www.vocation.com
 
Dear all,

I’ve read through most of the posts here with interest. Isn’t it something how some people can be so confident in their vocation and think that there aren’t really any decisions left to be made while others can be so uncertain? To those who are very confident–don’t be. Things (i.e., you) change. To those who think no certainty will ever come and are worried and confused–don’t be. Things (i.e., you) change.

I guess my point is that there have been so many saints who have had years and years of doubts and confusion regarding their vocation and we should keep that in mind at all times and never become over-confident or fearful.

To amarkich: that’s quite a post…

To pro-life_teen: sometimes what God wants and what we want turns out to be the same thing. However, that doesn’t mean everything will be easy once you learn what that thing is and start doing it. Also, any vocation requires at least one “leap of faith” where we have uncertainty but come to a conclusion, act on it, and leave the rest to the Good Lord and do not look back.
 
My thoughts and prayers for all of you. I’m also thinking of being a priest. It’s hard but yet, it’s going to be excellent. Keep on praying my brothers and sisters. I’m a very slow learner but, I’m learning. Like St. John Marie Vianney. He always know that, he would be a priest. St. Rose of Lima, I don’t think that, her parents did accept of her being a nun but, she went for it anyway. To me, God works in mysterious ways but, I’m going to join you guys, hopefully.
Code: 
                                           You Are Loved,
                                                    Anthony
                                Archdiocese of Portland, OR.
 
If I outlive my husband I will start my own order… The fishers of women, on a boat in the sea. Collecting many souls. I am just sorry I did not know life was not going to be easy either way. My sister the nun says married life is much easier but there are many times I beg to differ.:bigyikes: Maybe it was great till you raise children then it gets real interesting.
 
Just thinking about a man I knew. Married, with children, then when his kids are in their mid teens his wife dies and he feels the call of a vocation.

Ten years later, now ordained, he quite literally marries (think about it) his now adult daughter.

The only problem he had was figuring out how to get around the bit where he asks who is giving away the bride…
 
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Tanais:
I just wanted to know how many people out there are considering serving the Church as a priest or monk or nun. I have thought about it from time to time, however one of the things that is really holding me back is my own unworthiness. I view the priesthood as a holy and dignified calling, i just wonder if I am worthy enough. I also wanted to know anyone out there considering the vocation?
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Tanais, Archbishop Sheen identifies three stages in vocation.
  • Sense of the holiness of God.
  • A profound sense of unworthiness.
  • Response – “Here I am, send me”
A great illustration of this is the prophet Isaiah.

Resolving your unworthiness is a life-long process that Archbishop Sheen says begins in the seminary.

Please read Chapter 3 “The Gift of the Treasure” in Fulton Sheen’s autobiography “Treasure in Clay”. You will probably want to read the whole book (like me). I borrowed it from the public library and I’m reading it.

I am just signed up for RCIA / RCIC. I’m married with two beautiful bimillenial children (both born near Jesus’s 2000th birthday). Joshua is not quite old enough to get lost from us without us noticing right away.
 
talking abt your unworthyness it only God that knows if we are unworthy if you feel you are have the call u pray to God to guide you then what ever you feel makes you unworthy you put an end to it. we are not saint we just striving to attain holy lifes.you make up your heart for repentance comes 4rm the heart then God will support you.thankz
dessy :cool:
 
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theodorro:
I voted “Priest”, I want to be a Priest, i fell the vocation, but the problem is that I am the only child, and my parents want grandsons.
I prey and I hope God will show them that I should serve Him.
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Code:
I just thought I would comment on your post, theodorro. I am RC to the core and one day I was talking to a Hungarian-Greek Catholic mom whose only son is a priest. She told me her whole life about this one child who almost died. She is from the ol’ country. When said son decided to become a priest, a RC priest, she cried and complained because she wouldn’t have any granchildren. She told him to be of the Eastern rite as they can marry. So this is what he did. I have been to some of Masses (he is bi-ritual) as well as from the Ukrainian Catholic Mass. If you are truly iinterested, maybe you may want to join the Byzantines…which is also Catholic.

I also know the priest from the Unkrainian Catholic church who is also married with two children. We went up to his parish site this past winter for a fundraiser dinner. He is a wonderful priest and certainly down-to-earth as he is married himself.

And one more thing that truly astounded me. I am aware of our Carmelite head friar here in Niagara Falls. He has been married with 8 children when his wife died. He had been a permanent deacon at the time but he asked to be ordained. He became a Carmelite priest-friar and good one at that. He is quite young , mid-50’s, and has touched many lives. Now he wears the title of Father as priest, father of 8 children and grandfather to 6. Oh! how blessed he is. Althougn I am sure it is a burden at times, trying to keep in contact with his whole family and his duties to the Monastery. God is a God of surprises!

Anyway, have a great day!

Blessings,
Shoshana
 
There are so many new and great Institutes of religious life, congregations, and orders being born. These new orders etc. are really searching for much holiness. I know of a couple who though they are very educated, say that the MOST important thing is to live a life of of pure holiness FIRST. I like the Legionaries of Christ, the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, the Fraternity of Saint Peter, and a great new one which is growing throughout the whole world and thank God the Bishops here in the USA are giving them parishes(growing). they now have 20 Novices, and in the USA Seminary/House of Formation, they have many, many seminarians and two, to three ordinations per year. They were founded originally in Argentina, and I have a friend who will be ordained there next year: Thank you Mother of God for this great new Congregation called: The “Institute of the Incarnate Word” and sisters(sisters: FULL HABIT!!! AND IN THEIR TWENTIES(Most). www.iveamerica.org
 
There are more options that are missing from your poll. I am discerning a call to be a canonical hermit in a laura.

There are many more forms of consecrated life than those you list. Perhaps you should “other form of consecrated life” to the list.
 
I believe that God truly is calling me to the religious life. Unfortunately right now I am not Catholic. I desire to be greatly, but my parent are Anglican, and since I am only 16, by default I am Anglican too. This I do not understand: If it is God’s will for me to be Catholic, and I believe it is, then why is the door not opening?

It seems I will have to wait until college to fulfill my dream of becoming Catholic. Unless, of course, the Lord miraculously opens the door before then. Until then, I am going to read the Catecism and try to grow in my Catholic Faith. Also, I will read His Word.

A few months ago I spent a week at a Trappist monastery, and this really confirmed for me that God was calling me to the religious life. Since then I have been in correspondence with a priest-monk there, and this relationship has born much good fruit. Please forgive me for my long-winded response. Maybe it’s just me feeling sorry for myself. Sorry again.
 
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Toni:
If I outlive my husband I will start my own order… The fishers of women, on a boat in the sea. Collecting many souls. I am just sorry I did not know life was not going to be easy either way. My sister the nun says married life is much easier but there are many times I beg to differ.:bigyikes: Maybe it was great till you raise children then it gets real interesting.
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Code:
Well, Toni, I have been blessed with experiencing both lives. I can honestly say that being married is the more difficult. The religious order I was in was very conservatice with full habit et al. Very strict schedule, big time. None of this was a sacrifice for me as I loved being in the convent with all of its ascetism. I believed I was fulfilling God’s will for me in doing so. So, inadvertedly, nothing too much was sacrificial if I was going to be espoused to Jesus. :yup: I miss it, actually…There is no point in going into detail why I am not still htere…long story…
But I also believe God gave me a wonderful husband who is 100%loyal. We have raised two children and we are the grandparents of one. And I love them all. I must admit that there are times, we get under each other’s skins… that children in their teen-age years (well, you get my drift) can drive one crazy, the ups and downs, etc…:eek:
So, Toni, you tell your sister-nun that, in my perception, it is more difficult to be married. 😉 And I LOVE both states of life. But if you want to go fishing, why don’t we go to the Sea of Galilee and do some fishing. Been there twice and this is where we should anchor our boats! 👍

Blessings,
Shoshana
 
Im 20 next week, confirmed for only 4 months, and 2 years ago i was a scoffing atheist. Funny how things change eh?

I wasnt pushed to the church by anyone apart from God. I started thinkiing about Jesus one day at work. When i went to university a few months later, one of the first things i did was wander into my local catholic church (after one service of my local C of E church - not the one for me!!) Ive never looked back since then.

My priest thinks it is very likely i am being called, and i also think that it is very possible. However, like an earlier poster mentioned, i am quite scared. On one side it seems the right thing to do, it seems completely natural, and every time i am at Mass, i get a weird twinge whenever i look at the priest (hard to explain but its almost a push in the back from God!! :)) But then i think of things like, “Ill never get a wife!!” “Ill never have kids” a very odd sensation indeed.

It also seems to have happened so quickly, i am worried i may be blocking out a calling, trying to convince myself im just happy at being a Catholic (which it might be).

As you can tell from my post, im completely confused!!!:whacky:

Luckily i have 2 years more of university before i have to make a decision, hopefully with good prayer and the help of my priest, i will discover where God wants me to go. As my priest said, “You never know, come this Christmas a girl may sweep you off your feet and thats that!!”
 
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