Thread for all discerning priesthood and for those already studying for priests

[orgel_maestro]

18 years old from San Pedro, California, USA. I just finished my first year of college at UC Berkeley, I hope to graduate a year early, and then enter the either FSSP or the Institut, most likeley the Institute since my parish is one the ones run by them (St. Margaret Mary in Oakland). My family are not at all supportive of my vocation, so I’ll need to work to help make some money to pay for seminary. I come from the least religious family background ever, so I guess I’m the black sheep in the family.

 

[zemi]

18 years old from San Pedro, California, USA. I just finished my first year of college at UC Berkeley, I hope to graduate a year early, and then enter the either FSSP or the Institut, most likeley the Institute since my parish is one the ones run by them (St. Margaret Mary in Oakland). My family are not at all supportive of my vocation, so I’ll need to work to help make some money to pay for seminary. I come from the least religious family background ever, so I guess I’m the black sheep in the family.

Hi there, orgel_maestro!

Thank you for joining this thread! Believe me, maybe you’re the only white sheep in the family!

 

[SemperTotusTuus]

WOW, I am amazed by all those of you who are 18 and discerning the call! I am 23 (it is never to late to say YES! ) To give you some more information and to say something about “relationships” and “girls” (in answer to Zemi’s question): here is what I wrote in older post:

I am finishing my university studies this year (Belgium, Western Europe) so I will have to decide rather soon where I will have to go. I am really quite certain I have to give my whole life to the Lord in a special way, my spiritual director thinks the same so that’s a good sign. Recently a girl told me that she loved me and I said: “well, you’re a very cool girl, but I just think the Lord might be calling me to be one of His priests.” Her first reaction: And then: “ well, I think you would make a wonderful priest.” I guess she hopes that I will make up my mind, but when you fall in love with Christ and His Church … I really feel that there is nothing more beautiful than celibacy for the Kingdom if God wants this for you. What a gift! It seems to me that it is a billion times more attractive and “seducing” than what the world has to offer. And with “Christ and his grace it is possible.” (JPII)

I really believe that there is nothing more beautiful than the exclusive love in which the soul is “married” to the Lord, if He is you calling you to that way of life!
Priest give themselves wholy to the Lord: soul and body, as He does in the Eucharist!

 

[zemi]

Hi there all of you online - orgel_maestro and SemperTotusTuus

 

[zemi]

WOW, I am amazed by all those of you who are 18 and discerning the call! I am 23 (it is never to late to say YES! ) To give you some more information and to say something about “relationships” and “girls” (in answer to Zemi’s question): here is what I wrote in older post:

I really believe that there is nothing more beautiful than the exclusive love in which the soul is “married” to the Lord, if He is you calling you to that way of life!
Priest give themselves wholy to the Lord: soul and body, as He does in the Eucharist!

I already admired you for this very much… and I have again Great testimony!

A very silly question, SemperTotusTuus - but did you like the girl? Sorry if it seems silly

 

[iviking]

Hi, iviking!

Do you think you are already sure of your being called for a priest?

I will be yet pondering on that

Yes, I think I am sure now. What I am discerning now is which seminary to attend.

 

[SemperTotusTuus]

I already admired you for this very much… and I have again Great testimony!

A very silly question, SemperTotusTuus - but did you like the girl? Sorry if it seems silly

Hi Zemi,

That is not a silly question. Did I like the girl? Yes, but not as much as what God has in store for me. To use a simple comparison: imagine you know some girl who is really attractive, intelligent, has all the human qualities etc. but then you meet another girl who is a thousand times more attractive (if that would somehow be possible ), who shares your interests and has so much more to offer etc. If you would start dating with one of the two girls you would probably choose the second. Who wouldn’t? Well, I feel I have met this “second girl”, it is the Bride of Christ, the Church, for whom Christ gave his life.

The most tangible joy a man and a woman will ever experience in marriage depends on this: perfect mutual self-giving. Well, if Christ is calling me to be one of his priests then this total self-surrender to His holy will and to his Bride, the Church, is a pledge of overflowing joy… and of real Love: as you offer up your whole life for the good of the souls you will experience that “there is no greater love than lay down one’s life for one’s friends”.

Having said this: it is a pure gift from God, Who is Love. He is my creator and knows what is good for me. I trust that doing His will will make me the most happy man in the world (and that not doing His will will not). He keeps his promises! (Holy priests are the most happy people I know)

 

[pawel15]

Hi Zemi,

That is not a silly question. Did I like the girl? Yes, but not as much as what God has in store for me. To use a simple comparison: imagine you know some girl who is really attractive, intelligent, has all the human qualities etc. but then you meet another girl who is a thousand times more attractive (if that would somehow be possible ), who shares your interests and has so much more to offer etc. If you would start dating with one of the two girls you would probably choose the second. Who wouldn’t? Well, I feel I have met this “second girl”, it is the Bride of Christ, the Church, for whom Christ gave his life.

The most tangible joy a man and a woman will ever experience in marriage depends on this: perfect mutual self-giving. Well, if Christ is calling me to be one of his priests then this total self-surrender to His holy will and to his Bride, the Church, is a pledge of overflowing joy… and of real Love: as you offer up your whole life for the good of the souls you will experience that “there is no greater love than lay down one’s life for one’s friends”.

Having said this: it is a pure gift from God, Who is Love. He is my creator and knows what is good for me. I trust that doing His will will make me the most happy man in the world (and that not doing His will will not). He keeps his promises! (Holy priests are the most happy people I know)

I too still feel attracted to girls, but the difference now is that, instead of lusting for a girl, i deeply respect them for who they are. I acknowledge their beauty and physical appearance, but not in a sexual (lustfull) manner.

It is very hard to let go these feeling of sexual attractiveness, but that is the sacrifice we men must take in order to become disciples of christ. We must give ourselves totally to God, and Him alone. A priest should not be attached to both God and women, because when you think about it, ‘one will get more attention then the other.’

Is their anyone from Melbourne who is discerning the priesthood?

 

[zemi]

Hi Zemi,

That is not a silly question. Did I like the girl? Yes, but not as much as what God has in store for me. To use a simple comparison: imagine you know some girl who is really attractive, intelligent, has all the human qualities etc. but then you meet another girl who is a thousand times more attractive (if that would somehow be possible ), who shares your interests and has so much more to offer etc. If you would start dating with one of the two girls you would probably choose the second. Who wouldn’t? Well, I feel I have met this “second girl”, it is the Bride of Christ, the Church, for whom Christ gave his life.

The most tangible joy a man and a woman will ever experience in marriage depends on this: perfect mutual self-giving. Well, if Christ is calling me to be one of his priests then this total self-surrender to His holy will and to his Bride, the Church, is a pledge of overflowing joy… and of real Love: as you offer up your whole life for the good of the souls you will experience that “there is no greater love than lay down one’s life for one’s friends”.

Having said this: it is a pure gift from God, Who is Love. He is my creator and knows what is good for me. I trust that doing His will will make me the most happy man in the world (and that not doing His will will not). He keeps his promises! (Holy priests are the most happy people I know)

Wow, that’s great. Great analogy I think, really! And great everything I think you hit the nail on the head. I mean, that’s what priesthood should be about, right?

 

[zemi]

I too still feel attracted to girls, but the difference now is that, instead of lusting for a girl, i deeply respect them for who they are. I acknowledge their beauty and physical appearance, but not in a sexual (lustfull) manner.

It is very hard to let go these feeling of sexual attractiveness, but that is the sacrifice we men must take in order to become disciples of christ. We must give ourselves totally to God, and Him alone. A priest should not be attached to both God and women, because when you think about it, ‘one will get more attention then the other.’

Is their anyone from Melbourne who is discerning the priesthood?

Indeed, Pawel. It is hard, but it wouldn’t be sacrifice otherwise. Btw, I think that what I’ve got in my signature, sums it all up very nicely

But as SemperTotus Tuus rightly pointed out, when you find a nicer, prettier and much more “better” girl, you won’t look back then.

 

[zemi]

Question for everyone - sort of a self-critical one

What are the biggest hindrances in your decision to follow Christ as a priest?

 

[pawel15]

Question for everyone - sort of a self-critical one

What are the biggest hindrances in your decision to follow Christ as a priest?

For me that is easy, LAZINESS

Being lazy is also a sin, sometimes i just can’t be bothered praying. but i know better, so i force myself onto my knees.

 

[under_the_dome]

Question for everyone - sort of a self-critical one

What are the biggest hindrances in your decision to follow Christ as a priest?

That’s easy… Satan!

I think you meant something else by the question, though, and so in response I would have to say all of the “distractions” in life that keep me from prayer or which take over my attention when I should be discerning my call.

 

[sklenko]

I have been seriously considering priesthood some 4 years now. But now, right after graduating from university I plan on taking a job (for 1-2 years), only to have some kind of work experience. On the other hand, even now I feel it will surely not fulfil me. I feel I am called to something MORE.
BTW, welcome zemi, I am glad not being here alone from Slovakia.

 

[orgel_maestro]

Question for everyone - sort of a self-critical one

What are the biggest hindrances in your decision to follow Christ as a priest?

nothing really, Im just waiting to finish my university studies and in the mean time try and raise enough money to pay for seminary myself. I plan to enter in 2 years, I’ve pretty much made up my mind, now I’m just thinking about which religious order or seminary etc.

 

[zemi]

I have been seriously considering priesthood some 4 years now. But now, right after graduating from university I plan on taking a job (for 1-2 years), only to have some kind of work experience. On the other hand, even now I feel it will surely not fulfil me. I feel I am called to something MORE.
BTW, welcome zemi, I am glad not being here alone from Slovakia.

Hi there Sklenko

Great to meet somebody from Slovakia here

If I get it right, is it your job you’re about to take up that you think won’t fulfil you? So will you be still considering the priesthood or did I get it wrong this time? …

 

[zemi]

nothing really, Im just waiting to finish my university studies and in the mean time try and raise enough money to pay for seminary myself. I plan to enter in 2 years, I’ve pretty much made up my mind, now I’m just thinking about which religious order or seminary etc.

Do you have any imaginary list with your options?

 

[zemi]

For me that is easy, LAZINESS

Being lazy is also a sin, sometimes i just can’t be bothered praying. but i know better, so i force myself onto my knees.

I know that one very well Unfortunatelly…

 

[zemi]

That’s easy… Satan!

I think you meant something else by the question, though, and so in response I would have to say all of the “distractions” in life that keep me from prayer or which take over my attention when I should be discerning my call.

Yes, I meant sth more concrete I have for instance one girl…friend sort of “in my way”

 

[orgel_maestro]

Do you have any imaginary list with your options?

if I enter the monastery, maybe the traditional benedictine order at le barroux in France, if religious priest maybe the FSSP seminary in Germany, or the Institute of Christ the King in Italy or any other traditional seminary/religious order that is in communion with the Holy See.