Thinking about Vocation

[jheii]

I posted this on the traditional forum first, not noticing that there was a place specifically for vocations.

I’m beginning to feel as if I am called to be a priest. Actually, it’s not correct to say “beginning,” because I felt the call many years ago as a child and many times since then, but I’m just beginning to embrace it. Since returning to the Church (right around the time of Summorum Pontificum), I’ve been drawn to the EF and have been blessed to have that mass celebrated every sunday at our beautiful Cathedral. With that in mind, if I do pursue a vocation to the priesthood, I would like it to be with either the FSSP or the Institute of Christ the King.

That said, there are a few stumbling blocks. First, I have several thousand dollars in debt that will need to be paid off before I could enter seminary. Second, I (having been without insurance for several years) have quite a bit of dental work that needs to be done and I am aware that not taking care of it beforehand would make me a less likely candidate due to the liability, etc. Third, there is the necessity of having a way to pay for seminary.

With that said, I’ve decided that I’m going to go ahead and pursue this vocation with a 4 year plan. In those four years, I’ll be able to pay off my debt, get my dental work done, and put together a sizable amount of savings that will help pay for seminary. I’ll spend that time aggressively praying for guidance from our Lord and he’ll have plenty of time to give it to me! I’ll also be able to study Latin and brush up on my French (in case I go with the Institute of Christ the King). Once the four years are over, if I still feel the call to the priesthood and the specific vocation to one of these religious orders, I will begin the application process. At that time I will be 28 and–since the maximum ages for FSSP and the Institute are 35, and 30–will have a couple of years to “not take no for an answer,” assuming the application process doesn’t go the way I’d like it to.

Any thoughts, suggestions, questions, prayers, or encouragement would be much appreciated.

In Christo,
John

 

[bilop]

I posted this on the traditional forum first, not noticing that there was a place specifically for vocations.

I’m beginning to feel as if I am called to be a priest. Actually, it’s not correct to say “beginning,” because I felt the call many years ago as a child and many times since then, but I’m just beginning to embrace it. Since returning to the Church (right around the time of Summorum Pontificum), I’ve been drawn to the EF and have been blessed to have that mass celebrated every sunday at our beautiful Cathedral. With that in mind, if I do pursue a vocation to the priesthood, I would like it to be with either the FSSP or the Institute of Christ the King.

That said, there are a few stumbling blocks. First, I have several thousand dollars in debt that will need to be paid off before I could enter seminary. Second, I (having been without insurance for several years) have quite a bit of dental work that needs to be done and I am aware that not taking care of it beforehand would make me a less likely candidate due to the liability, etc. Third, there is the necessity of having a way to pay for seminary.

With that said, I’ve decided that I’m going to go ahead and pursue this vocation with a 4 year plan. In those four years, I’ll be able to pay off my debt, get my dental work done, and put together a sizable amount of savings that will help pay for seminary. I’ll spend that time aggressively praying for guidance from our Lord and he’ll have plenty of time to give it to me! I’ll also be able to study Latin and brush up on my French (in case I go with the Institute of Christ the King). Once the four years are over, if I still feel the call to the priesthood and the specific vocation to one of these religious orders, I will begin the application process. At that time I will be 28 and–since the maximum ages for FSSP and the Institute are 35, and 30–will have a couple of years to “not take no for an answer,” assuming the application process doesn’t go the way I’d like it to.

Any thoughts, suggestions, questions, prayers, or encouragement would be much appreciated.

In Christo,
John

It is great that you feel the calling to the priesthood!

A couple of things.

1. You should contact a vocations director, probably your diocesan director. He can help guide you through the process.
2. Get a spiritual director. Very necessary for discernment. The vocations director can help you find one.
3. Contact your local Serrans and/or K of C. They help financially and otherwise to support vocations. They might be able to help with loans and/or dental work.
4. If the money will be a big obstacle, consider the diocesan priesthood in an orthodox diocese. Many dioceses do not require the seminarians to pay for the major seminary at all. You could still say the TLM regularly in your parish now that SP has been enacted.

May God Bless your vocation abundantly!

 

[jheii]

Thanks for the advice. As far as the spiritual director is concerened, I have a certian priest in mind. He sometimes offers the EF mass at our Cathedral, but more often than not it is offered by the Cathedral rector. The last time this priest who I would like to be my spiritual director celebrated the mass, I was there with a female friend of mine who wants to return to the church. For the first time -ever- since I’ve been attending this cathedral, he came up to me after mass and introduced himself, saying that it was nice to see me coming every week. I would have asked him to help me with spiritual direction then, but I think it would’ve made the young lady I was with uncomfortable (I’ll elaborate if necessary). As far as asking for help from the Knights, I’d rather do as muich of this on my own as I can, simply to prove to myself that I’m willing to make every sacrafice necessary to become a priest. I think after a few months of prayer, and hoperfully spiritual advice from the aforementioned priest, I’ll know whether or not this is what I want to do. If it is, I think I’ll still follow the plan I outlined, because I think doing it the “right way” is more important than doing it the “fast way.” Thanks so much for your comments, and I hope that you join me in prayer that I may become a faithful servant of Christ.

God bless,
John

 

[Trishie]

John, I’ll keep you in my Masses and prayers, May no obstacle prevent the fulfilment of God’s wishes for you and through you. May His Holy Spirit guide and protect you as your prepare, and always. God’s dearest blessings…Trishie

 

[Poor_Clare_tobe]

*John,
It sounds like you are well on your way and have a plan.
I will add my prayers to the many others praying for you and for vocations. [Isn’t it nice to know we all have such a community of believers praying for those of us on the journey to a religious vocation? What a Blessing!]

Blessings of Peace and Good!*

 

[jheii]

*John,
It sounds like you are well on your way and have a plan.
I will add my prayers to the many others praying for you and for vocations. [Isn’t it nice to know we all have such a community of believers praying for those of us on the journey to a religious vocation? What a Blessing!

Blessings of Peace and Good!**

Yes, it certainly is an enormous blessing to have people praying for us, no matter what the circumstances! I just wanted to thank everyone here for their kind words, and let you know that I have been thinking about approaching somebody for spiritual direction soon, so that I can get myself on the right path. Here is my problem: the only priest who I know personally lives in a different town. At the Cathedral where I attend mass, both of the priests who celebrate don’t really stick around and talk to the faithful afterwards. What do I do? To whom do I turn? Any suggestions would be helpful.
Thanks, and God bless,
John

 

[Poor_Clare_tobe]

Yes, it certainly is an enormous blessing to have people praying for us, no matter what the circumstances! I just wanted to thank everyone here for their kind words, and let you know that I have been thinking about approaching somebody for spiritual direction soon, so that I can get myself on the right path. Here is my problem: the only priest who I know personally lives in a different town. At the Cathedral where I attend mass, both of the priests who celebrate don’t really stick around and talk to the faithful afterwards. What do I do? To whom do I turn? Any suggestions would be helpful.
Thanks, and God bless,
John

Contact the vocations office in your diocese… they ought to be able to provide you with a few names of priest who are well versed in spiritual direction…Usually you will be able to find someone that way… if that should fail you might contact a retreat center… however most times the office of vocations will help you… blessings!!!*

 

[miltell04]

I am a 56 year old man with a Masters Degree in Psychology from Notre Dame College. Does anyone here know of a Order who would be willing to accept me despite my age? I am a very devote and committed Catholic who feels called, but I also have had a very difficult time locating a Order who is interested in me becoming a Brother, Deacon or Priest.

 

[Poor_Clare_tobe]

I am a 56 year old man with a Masters Degree in Psychology from Notre Dame College. Does anyone here know of a Order who would be willing to accept me despite my age? I am a very devote and committed Catholic who feels called, but I also have had a very difficult time locating a Order who is interested in me becoming a Brother, Deacon or Priest.

I would contact your office of vocations… for some preliminary advice.
also ask them for help with finding a good spiritual director.

try googling older vocations priesthood you would be amazed

also serra-bayarea.org/older_1/older.htm

and vocation match .com

let us know how your journey unfolds

and blessings of peace and all good!