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

[vince2paul]

Vincent here, from the archdiocese of Singapore

I’m 22 this year. Well, Since May 2006 (time flies!), I’ve been discerning to diocesan priesthood. At the same time, I also discerned with the Franciscan order OFM (but didn’t work out) and soon with the Dominican (The vocation director is back to Spain till mid July).

It’s still along way to go for me, but I’m enjoying myself. If God calls me, I’ll accept it. However, if it’s not my vocation to the priesthood/religious life, then I’ll still be glad as this discernment period allows me to be closer to God in my prayer and studies of Catholic Faith.

 

[zemi]

Thank you very much for your posts everyone!

 

[pawel15]

Zemi,

Are their many/any Polish priests in your area (city/town), or Slovakia for that matter?

 

[zemi]

Zemi,

Are their many/any Polish priests in your area (city/town), or Slovakia for that matter?

Hi Pawel, hm, I know of one that studied in Poland but dunno of any Polish priests over here.

Do you know any Slovak ones?

 

[zemi]

Are you guys reading any interesting book?

 

[under_the_dome]

Are you guys reading any interesting book?

Actually, yes…

One is called Priests for the Third Milennium by Archbishop Timothy Dolan of Milwaukee. It is a collection of reflections/speeches he gave to seminarians while he was rector of the North American College in Rome. I read a few chapters while in a bookstore, and I must advise all of you to go out and get it. In the first half, he talks about all of the virtues that one must cultivate to serve well as a priest (e.g., there are chapters on ‘Joy’, ‘Faith’, etc.). The second half focuses on the more practical or day-to-day aspects of priestly life, such as running a parish, simplicity of living, celibacy, obedience, etc.

All of it is very down-to-earth, readable, useful, heartfelt, and occasionally funny… it really should be required reading for all seminarians/men who are discerning the priesthood, as it gives a very ‘balanced’ view of the priesthood, complete with all of its daily joys, sorrows, challenges, rewards, etc.

The other book I have on deck (but haven’t started yet) is The Lamb’s Supper by Scott Hahn. Its one I’ve been meaning to buy for a while now, so we’ll see how it is.

 

[pawel15]

Hi Pawel, hm, I know of one that studied in Poland but dunno of any Polish priests over here.

Do you know any Slovak ones?

No, i havn’t met any Slovak priest, but i’m sure their are a few in my area. To be honest i have met very few Slovaks, but their are alot of Polish people here in Melbourne especially priests. Their are many groups of Slavs in Melbourne .Such as Ukrainian, Croatian, Serbian, Slovenien and Bosnian.

One thing i have noticed though is that many of the new generation of Slavs are falling away from the church, especially many of my Polish friends. They only know the Catholic Church out of our tradition and culture. But the older generation’s faith is well alive and this is why I really don’t understand the reason for the younger generation to be so weak in their faith.

 

[Loepa]

Are you guys reading any interesting book?

Yeah, I am . Right now I’m reading The Secret of the Rosary by Saint Louis De Montfort. It is an amazing book and has really helped me to appreciate the spiritual benefits of the Rosary. I highly reccomend it.

I’ve also begun reading Padre Pio, Man of Hope. It’s by Renzo Allegri and from the few chapters I’ve read it seems to be a pretty good biography about Saint Pio. Hopefully once I finish these two I can finish up Saint Augustine’s “Confessions.”

Also, does anyone know the best way to get in contact with the F.S.S.P and the I.C.R.S?

Thanks.

 

[vince2paul]

Are you guys reading any interesting book?

Hello! You are so active!

Erm… I would say, yes and no. I’m having exam so can’t really read book at the moment. But there are lots on my bookshelf that I’ve yet to read.

I recommend ‘The Priest is not His Own’ by Archbishop Fulton Sheen. It’s very interesting book, but I didn’t manage to finish it. One thing that I remember was when he said that priest is the one who offers the sacrifice and yet he is the sacrifice also or someeething like that. I can’t really remember, sorry.

The other book is Noise by Teresa Tomeo. It talks about how the media is part of our life that it becomes a noise. I’m interested because it explained ‘how our media-saturated culture dominates lives and dismantles families.’

Well, I still have Scott Hahn’s latest book, Reason to Believe, on my bookshelf also. Buy, buy, buy, but never really have the time to read.

 

[pawel15]

How many times or hours do you guys pray per day/night?

How important is it to leave some time in a day for personel prayer?

I ask this because i feel i do not pray enough, so by hearing your answers it may inspire me to pray more.

 

[zemi]

How many times or hours do you guys pray per day/night?

How important is it to leave some time in a day for personel prayer?

I ask this because i feel i do not pray enough, so by hearing your answers it may inspire me to pray more.

Hi Pawel,

first of all I think we’re humans and I have to admit I do not pray that much as I should…

And now I’m a human with some studying to do as well In these days I kind of pray in the morning, in the evening, during the day and I always try to find time for an evening’s walk (30-60min) during which I could pray, tell God how I feel, think about various things etc. I usually go out like that around midnight, btw

 

[under_the_dome]

How many times or hours do you guys pray per day/night?

How important is it to leave some time in a day for personel prayer?

I ask this because i feel i do not pray enough, so by hearing your answers it may inspire me to pray more.

The most important thing to do for your spiritual life if you’re discerning your call to the priesthood, I believe, is to go to daily Mass as often as possible. I usually arrive about 10-15min early, so as to have time to kneel in prayer and quiet my thoughts, and then the Mass itself is only about 1/2 hour It is an excellent way, however, to draw closer to the Lord on a daily basis and to receive his grace through the Eucharist.

 

[orgel_maestro]

How many times or hours do you guys pray per day/night?

How important is it to leave some time in a day for personel prayer?

I ask this because i feel i do not pray enough, so by hearing your answers it may inspire me to pray more.

I know I dont pray enough. Usually, I say grace before meals and go to vespers and mass right after as often as I can, and some before bed. I try to pray the rosary daily before bed, but usually I dont go to bed till like 2 in the morning and I get too lazy

 

[Loepa]

How many times or hours do you guys pray per day/night?

How important is it to leave some time in a day for personel prayer?

I usually try to do morning prayers and evening prayers. For morning prayer I will typically either pray the Liturgy of the Hours or a few prayers/devotions from my Manual of Prayers book. In the evening I typically try to pray five decades of the Rosary, and I will reflect on Biblical passages or passages from the Church fathers.

I would love to be able to go Daily Mass, but unfortunately I have to be at work the same time as Mass.

 

[SemperTotusTuus]

I try to go to daily mass as often as possible and to have (at least) monthly confession (confession is really an incredible fountain of grace on our path toward holiness!). I take time for some personal prayer every day. Before sleeping I reflect on a passage from the Bible/the Catechism. During the day I make some short prayers and try to make some little sacrifices: for instance “Lord, I really do not want to study now, but I will do it for You.”

When there is more time or when I am driving I like to pray some decades of the Rosary or the Divine Mercy chapelet.

 

[SemperTotusTuus]

I would love to be able to go Daily Mass, but unfortunately I have to be at work the same time as Mass.

Hi Loepa,

You could make a very short spiritual communion when you can’t go to mass. Your desire to go to mass is very pleasing to the Lord (it’s what I read from some great saints!).

 

[pawel15]

I try to go to daily mass as often as possible and to have (at least) monthly confession (confession is really an incredible fountain of grace on our path toward holiness!). I take time for some personal prayer every day. Before sleeping I reflect on a passage from the Bible/the Catechism. During the day I make some short prayers and try to make some little sacrifices: for instance “Lord, I really do not want to study now, but I will do it for You.”

When there is more time or when I am driving I like to pray some decades of the Rosary or the Divine Mercy chapelet.

I pretty much think the same way you do.

The Divine Mercy Chaplet is one of my favourite prayers.

 

[Freshman88]

Hey all,

   I'm 19 and from Southern Ontario and I am currently attending university in Montreal. I've been discerning the priesthood for exactly one year as of last Saturday. Right now I'm very interested in Traditional Orders, especially the Institute of Christ the King. I am also somewhat discerning a call to the Ukrainian Catholic Church.

I still have 3 years of university left, plenty of time to discern. Who knows, maybe if I work hard enough I could have a call to the CFL, hehe.

Peace,
Freshman88.

 

[Loepa]

You could make a very short spiritual communion when you can’t go to mass. Your desire to go to mass is very pleasing to the Lord (it’s what I read from some great saints!).

Hadn’t considered that, thanks for the advice.

 

[SemperTotusTuus]

Hey all,

    I've been discerning the priesthood for exactly one year as of last Saturday.

Hi Freshman, good to know that you are discerning the priesthood. Our world badly needs holy priests! I’ll keep you in my prayers.