To men--have you ever considered becoming a priest? If not, why?

[JReducation]

I often sit back and reflect upon this as well. Just as soon as I realized that I was contemplating entering the abbey to escape the world, bam, I met DW. Come October, we’ll be married thirty years. Our Lord moves in mysterious ways, His wonders to behold. Marriage is every bit as much of a vocation.

Marriage is definitely a vocation and let no one underestimate it. At times it can be far more challenging the the priesthood or religioius life.

Another vocation that people often forget is that of the consecrated lay man or woman. This is the person who does not marry, does not become a priest or religious, but remains single for the sake of the Kingdom, making private vows to live according to a particular spiritual charism that God has given him or her. For example, Madonna House is such a community. They are not religious or priests. They are lay men and women, but they are celibate, they live the vows of chastity, poverty, obedience, they have common prayer, share everything in common, beg for their food and clothes and they minister to the homeless. They were founded by Catherine Doherty.

There are also Secular Orders where the members can be celibate or married, but they make vows and live the rule of the Order and they share their lives with the other members of the community, while taking the charism of the order into the secular world.

I for one am a Secular Franciscan in vows. I’m celibate, but live in the world. Several of us live the rule of St. Francis withough ever getting married or having been widowed or divorced, never remarrying. We pray the Liturgy of the Hours, we live simple lives and we bring the spirit of St. Francis and his style of living the Gospel into the secular workplace and the communities where we live, as well as our families. This is also a vocation.

JR

 

[whatevergirl]

Marriage is definitely a vocation and let no one underestimate it. At times it can be far more challenging the the priesthood or religioius life.

Another vocation that people often forget is that of the consecrated lay man or woman. This is the person who does not marry, does not become a priest or religious, but remains single for the sake of the Kingdom, making private vows to live according to a particular spiritual charism that God has given him or her. For example, Madonna House is such a community. They are not religious or priests. They are lay men and women, but they are celibate, they live the vows of chastity, poverty, obedience, they have common prayer, share everything in common, beg for their food and clothes and they minister to the homeless. They were founded by Catherine Doherty.

There are also Secular Orders where the members can be celibate or married, but they make vows and live the rule of the Order and they share their lives with the other members of the community, while taking the charism of the order into the secular world.

I for one am a Secular Franciscan in vows. I’m celibate, but live in the world. Several of us live the rule of St. Francis withough ever getting married or having been widowed or divorced, never remarrying. We pray the Liturgy of the Hours, we live simple lives and we bring the spirit of St. Francis and his style of living the Gospel into the secular workplace and the communities where we live, as well as our families. This is also a vocation.

JR

Hi JR;

The thread is not about other vocations, just the priesthood. If you’d like to start a topic on marriage, etc…please feel free. I asked the question, because we are seeing a shortage of men becoming priests, and I’d like to hear from men on here if they have ever discerned the priesthood, and if not, why not. And, could those reasons be examined as to the reasons we can see a decline? I am a married woman, grateful for my vocation-- and I agree that we are all called to various vocations–but the thread is not about various vocations, and the respect that each one is due. It’s about the priesthood, so I’m hopeful that we can stay on topic.

Thank you

 

[jkarp]

Were you planning on entering St. Benedict’s Abbey or another one?

Just as soon as I realized that I was contemplating entering the abbey to escape the world . . .

I personally didn’t want to escape the world, I just find the Benedictine’s way of life especially appealing. I still try to live by the Rule of Benedict and conduct our household in a likewise manner (not nearly as effectively though).

 

[whatevergirl]

I had thought about religious life when I was a teen, but at some point, when I started dating, and met my husband…I felt ‘called’ to being a wife and mom. I will say that I have always marveled at the Carmelite order. I think that they do marvelous work, and really capture the essence of prayer life.

 

[consumedconvert]

Nope. Was married when I converted. Had considered the possiblity of being a deacon some day. But I can’t fathom the idea of a twenty-five year old deacon, so I’d better wait awhile.

 

[JReducation]

Hi JR;

The thread is not about other vocations, just the priesthood. If you’d like to start a topic on marriage, etc…please feel free. I asked the question, because we are seeing a shortage of men becoming priests, and I’d like to hear from men on here if they have ever discerned the priesthood, and if not, why not. And, could those reasons be examined as to the reasons we can see a decline? I am a married woman, grateful for my vocation-- and I agree that we are all called to various vocations–but the thread is not about various vocations, and the respect that each one is due. It’s about the priesthood, so I’m hopeful that we can stay on topic.

Thank you

Sorry, didn’t mean to derail the thread. But we should start another thread on religious life for men and you should lead it. It’s a great question.

JR

 

[michaeldaniels]

I am currently in a period of discernment and speaking with my Vocations Director…I am a convert. I fell in love with The Catholic Church and I really feel it is what I was born for…to be a Priest that is.

In reading through various threads, and over the years hearing it while sitting at mass, or in the newspapers, we all can see that there is a priest shortage. In talking to my MIL recently, who is soon to be 86 bless her heart, and a devout Catholic all her life–she made an interesting comment…“Man has the same tempations that he had back in my day, but we turned out more priests. What’s changed?” (She has 9 kids, 5 boys–none became priests…how can that be when they all attended Catholic school, and some were altar boys? Reasons ranged from ‘want to get married,’ to ‘went to fight in the Vietnam war,’ to ‘not feeling called,’ etc…)

It got me thinking, especially after reading that many on here feel that with women becoming lectors and altar servers over the years, that this has been an indirect catalyst of why we are seeing a decline in the priesthood.

***This thread is not for us to discuss why we feel the priesthood is declining. *** I’m more interested in surveying the men on here, if you are married or not, as to if you ever gave becoming a priest serious thought, and if not, why? I’m particularly interested in hearing from those who grew up in a devout Catholic home–although converts, please feel free to chime in!

We do a lot of finger pointing in the Church…I have discussed the priesthood with my son, but he told me…‘if they could marry, I would.’ At least he was honest…and I wonder if that is what many men feel or what the other reasons might be? I think it’s easy to think to one’s self…‘yep, there’s a priest shortage, but not my problem.’ It really is not going to change, if we don’t have discussions with our sons and at least nurture the thought of becoming priests. Some are truly not called, but what are/were your reasons for not considering it, yourself?

There’s no right or wrong answers …I just want to see the reasons behind our priest shortage, from men who didn’t become priests themselves, who grew up Catholic. I mean, there has to be a reason or set of reasons behind it. I just think that we come up with our own assumptions, but why not ask the question to some Catholic men? And why don’t we apply those same reasons when we think about the priest shortage? And if you didn’t feel called, etc…do you discuss it with your sons, and encourage it? If not, why? Look forward to your replies.

 

[JReducation]

I am currently in a period of discernment and speaking with my Vocations Director…I am a convert. I fell in love with The Catholic Church and I really feel it is what I was born for…to be a Priest that is.

Count on my prayers.

JR

 

[markadm]

One of the reasons some people don’t consider becoming Priests is that in many places, the Priesthood is “emasculated” for wont of another word. Instead of upright, holy sermons about battling sin and doing good in the world, people are forced to listen to mind-numbing bland homilies on social justice, with no positive action attached to them*.

Equally, the Priest as the confector of the Mass is under threat by the appropriation of his role by many other liturgical “ministers”. I am referring to the over-use of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and the way many lay persons seem to want to do everything for the Priest, even if the thing to do is his by right.

The very identity of the Priesthood - in the eyes of potential candidates - is being eroded. Coupled with gross failures in clerical discipline (sex scandals, etc.), and the emasculation I referred to above, I believe many simply do not see the Priest for what he is. They no longer see the Priest as a holy man, and are no longer inspired to emulate him.

• • don’t get me wrong; nothing against social justice, it’s just it needs to be practical.

[Personal disclosure: I am considering a vocation to the Priesthood, with a view to applying to the FSSP.]

 

[Johndigger]

I agree very much with Markadm.

Many young men would gladly give up their lives to offer the perfect sacrifice of the Mass, to lead the fight against evil, to preach Christ crucified and to be a respected and loved member of the Church.

What young men do not want to give up their lives for is to be a “presider” over a ceremony or to “be everyone’s friend” where the Priest’s role has been usurped by the laity.

Linking back to the reason I think inspired you to start the thread (Women’s roles within the Church) this is partly/largely due to some feminisation of the Church, where the traditionally male values of discipline, justice, leadership, fighting etc are being replaced with “friendship” and “care”

This is by no means a slight against wonderfully feminine virtues, as they have a massive place within the Church, but it’s when they start to obscure and dominate the masculine virtues - it’s not going to attract men to the Priesthood.

I am myself considering a vocation to the Priesthood. I want to be a diocesan Priest, but I want a good solid formation. Failing this, FSSP here I come.

In Jesus,

JD

 

[markadm]

I am myself considering a vocation to the Priesthood. I want to be a diocesan Priest, but I want a good solid formation. Failing this, FSSP here I come.

JD, this is off-topic, but if you want more info about the FSSP, I would suggest checking here.

 

[HOPEFUL_IN_UK]

It’s not just the mass, it would be the entire climate. I have heard stories of many orthodox priests who have been persecuted by their local bishops.
Many don’t get to be pastors and some regulated to hospital chaplains. The American Church has been in turmoil for decades.

There are traditional orders and if I discern it to be God’s will, I will have to be a priest no matter the tribulations.

I believe that priests no longer have the freedom to be real priests. The laity have become so uncatechized, liberalized, secularized, that orthodox priests will have problems getting back their traditional roles.

I guess the entire climate of novelty and liberalism is one that I have doubts about. Many men who I believe do not have the right intetions have reached the highest levels in the Church.

Perhaps you should think of it as being a missionary. The Jesuits didn’t shrink from heading out into hostile territories to be tortured, mutilated, and killed for their faith. Compared to that, I would think dealing with a music director who wants “On Eagles Wings” would be a cakewalk.

 

[whatevergirl]

Sorry, didn’t mean to derail the thread. But we should start another thread on religious life for men and you should lead it. It’s a great question.

JR

Ok–deal! I enjoy reading your posts…and agree that a topic on this could be very interesting…will you start one?

 

[whatevergirl]

Nope. Was married when I converted. Had considered the possiblity of being a deacon some day. But I can’t fathom the idea of a twenty-five year old deacon, so I’d better wait awhile.

You seem older beyond your real years…seriously…I think if you feel called, you should look into it.

 

[Rawb]

I think it is it the duty of every Catholic man to consider the priesthood. I flirt with the idea occasionally. There are aspects I would love about it, and others, not so much.

The real reason, or a major reason, why I don’t become a priest, I think, is because I am the only Catholic in my family. My religion separates me from my parents and siblings by a huge gulf already, but were I to become a priest it would become insurremountable. It sounds like a sad and silly reason, even to me, but it’s real.

Also I have always wanted to have a family, and I think God may want me to provide priests for the church through children, rather than myself.

I’d be a horrible priest anyway. I’d tick too many people off.

 

[Dragoro]

I’m still in my decernment. Not sure if ill enter the priesthood or not.

 

[wjp984]

I’ve pondered the idea at times but here is why I think it would be problematic for me.

1. I am a Latinized Ruthenian Eastern Catholic. This probably would potentially cause a lot of problems and I personally would have the hardest of times abandoning one of the two rites.
2. There is a history of mental illness in my family and who knows what is wrong with me. I function just fine with what I can guess might be my issues and I don’t want to take any psycological exams exposing anything I either don’t want to know or would disagree with or be seen as some sort of risk due to family history and not admitted anyways.
3. I’m already done with my first year of law school and since I am in the top of my class (probably top 5%) I basically have a lawyer mentality of arrogance and combined with my God given gift of high intelligence always think I’m right so a vow of obediance would be a huge struggle.
4. I have anxiety issues about everything and the safest thing to do to aovid anxiety issues is being relatively fine with just staying the course which is graduate in the top 5% of my law class, get some great job at a firm and live life accordingly.

 

[consumedconvert]

I’ve pondered the idea at times but here is why I think it would be problematic for me.

1. I am a Latinized Ruthenian Eastern Catholic. This probably would potentially cause a lot of problems and I personally would have the hardest of times abandoning one of the two rites.
2. There is a history of mental illness in my family and who knows what is wrong with me. I function just fine with what I can guess might be my issues and I don’t want to take any psycological exams exposing anything I either don’t want to know or would disagree with or be seen as some sort of risk due to family history and not admitted anyways.
3. I’m already done with my first year of law school and since I am in the top of my class (probably top 5%) I basically have a lawyer mentality of arrogance and combined with my God given gift of high intelligence always think I’m right so a vow of obediance would be a huge struggle.
4. I have anxiety issues about everything and the safest thing to do to aovid anxiety issues is being relatively fine with just staying the course which is graduate in the top 5% of my law class, get some great job at a firm and live life accordingly.

Well, there’s always a career as a Canonist

But seriously, we need good Catholic lawyers.

 

[Johndigger]

I’ve pondered the idea at times but here is why I think it would be problematic for me.

1. I am a Latinized Ruthenian Eastern Catholic. This probably would potentially cause a lot of problems and I personally would have the hardest of times abandoning one of the two rites.
2. There is a history of mental illness in my family and who knows what is wrong with me. I function just fine with what I can guess might be my issues and I don’t want to take any psycological exams exposing anything I either don’t want to know or would disagree with or be seen as some sort of risk due to family history and not admitted anyways.
3. I’m already done with my first year of law school and since I am in the top of my class (probably top 5%) I basically have a lawyer mentality of arrogance and combined with my God given gift of high intelligence always think I’m right so a vow of obediance would be a huge struggle.
4. I have anxiety issues about everything and the safest thing to do to aovid anxiety issues is being relatively fine with just staying the course which is graduate in the top 5% of my law class, get some great job at a firm and live life accordingly.

St. Francis de Sales studied law before becoming a Priest. Tis no bad thing.

God bless you.

In Christ,

JD

 

[whatevergirl]

I’m still in my decernment. Not sure if ill enter the priesthood or not.

I believe this to be the biggest decision a person can make…what does God want me to do with this life He gave to me? Where will the talents and time He has blessed me with serve Him and others best? How long have you been discerning, may I ask? (I hope you decide to, if you feel called)