G
gcshapero
Guest
I had the privilege to stay with a group of monks last week in Hesca, Spain last week. One of my friends is currently in formation to become a monk there.
It was a great experience and I got to live the monastic life and learn more about it.
The issue is with a conversation I had with my monk friend. We talked throughout the week (during the windows of time which allowed us to speak) about vocations and the ones we discerned into. I had considered the priesthood and prayed, spoken to my spiritual director, etc. and found my calling to be into marriage.
I’m also currently in a relationship with a girl he knew while he was a seminarian. That’s not hugely important, though he didn’t seem as enthusiastic about our being together, or at least he didn’t seem to understand how serious she and I are (we’re currently discussing marriage and how to raise children, living environment, etc). I think he thinks she and I are just “going out.”
At one point last week, he said “I know you told me your calling is toward marriage, but I really think you should be a priest. You would probably be a diocesan priest because of your drive toward these things. I think you should re-think your vocation and consider that.” He went on to say that if I end up married, he would fully support me and be happy.
The weirdness came from when I thought more about it. Granted, I’m very honored and flattered that he thinks I would make a good priest, but I thought about how strange and backwards it would be if I told him, “Man, I know you’re moving toward becoming a monk…but you’d make such a great husband and father in leading a domestic church. I think you should reconsider and become a family man instead.”
I don’t mean to dwell on this because ultimately it’s God’s decision and all I’m trying to do is follow what He tells me, but is there something odd into this or could it just be a matter of his not fully understanding?
It was a great experience and I got to live the monastic life and learn more about it.
The issue is with a conversation I had with my monk friend. We talked throughout the week (during the windows of time which allowed us to speak) about vocations and the ones we discerned into. I had considered the priesthood and prayed, spoken to my spiritual director, etc. and found my calling to be into marriage.
I’m also currently in a relationship with a girl he knew while he was a seminarian. That’s not hugely important, though he didn’t seem as enthusiastic about our being together, or at least he didn’t seem to understand how serious she and I are (we’re currently discussing marriage and how to raise children, living environment, etc). I think he thinks she and I are just “going out.”
At one point last week, he said “I know you told me your calling is toward marriage, but I really think you should be a priest. You would probably be a diocesan priest because of your drive toward these things. I think you should re-think your vocation and consider that.” He went on to say that if I end up married, he would fully support me and be happy.
The weirdness came from when I thought more about it. Granted, I’m very honored and flattered that he thinks I would make a good priest, but I thought about how strange and backwards it would be if I told him, “Man, I know you’re moving toward becoming a monk…but you’d make such a great husband and father in leading a domestic church. I think you should reconsider and become a family man instead.”
I don’t mean to dwell on this because ultimately it’s God’s decision and all I’m trying to do is follow what He tells me, but is there something odd into this or could it just be a matter of his not fully understanding?
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