Vocations and Big Life Decisions

[Batman2.0]

Hi all, I’m a college student coming up on a point in life where I have two roads I can choose. However, I am unsure what to do. On the one hand, I feel a strong, consistent pull to become a priest, but on the other hand, there is a girl I like, and I get get really joyful and excited about marriage - it makes me want to live. What do I do if I have to decide soon? I don’t want to mess this up as many saints say that your vocation means everything for your salvation. I really want to get married but I don’t want to feel guilty for not becoming a priest. All of your responses are appreciated, especially those of priests and religious.

 

[Lucy_1]

Just remember that God will guide you to the right vocation. It may be a winding path, but He is with you. “I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Is. 41

 

[fredystairs]

Have you discussed your concerns with your parish priest? He would be able to help you understand which way you should go. He won’t be able to make the decision for you but he can give you some advice for your discernment.

I will pray for you.

Pax

 

[Tis_Bearself]

In addition to your priest, it wouldn’t hurt for you to talk to the vocations director for your diocese, who has probably seen many young men in the same situation and can likely give you some good advice for your discernment.

 

[brown_bear]

In the diocesan curia - or as I think you say in the diocesan administration - there are priests “specialized” in listening to young people like you and preventing them from feeling without a travel companion to help them make discernment.

If, on the other hand, you are too distant or uncomfortable, there is the pastor or priest with whom you usually confess.

We are all with you!

 

[tuffsmurf]

Obviously, as strangers on the internet we can’t tell you what to do, but I notice that you describe your desire to marry in more positive terms than your desire to become a priest. You get joyful and excited about marriage, it makes you want to live. About the priesthood you say that you don’t want to feel guilty about not becoming a priest.

Remember that God wants you to be happy! The feeling of fulfillment and wanting to live is a pretty certain sign to me that God probably calls you to that.

 

[TwoNames]

Allow me to share with you two links, that may perhaps help you with your discernment.

https://www.pathsoflove.com/texts/francis.html
https://www.pathsoflove.com/church-on-vocation.html

Now obviously these two links are about religious vocations. You are discerning between marriage and priesthood (perhaps in religious order, or not, doesn’t matter). I’ve heard a priest say that one should always discern religious/priest life first, then marriage. Because there’s natural pull towards marriage - it’s how we are created. So with these two links, I’m not pointing you to religious life or anything, but with discerning one, you’re actually discerning both vocations. I hope this makes sense.

Oh and perhaps on a bit darker note, I often go in my mind to the end of my life, whenever that will be and ask myself, what would I like to see when I look back at my life, what decisions.

And to lighten things up: You will like that:

God bless you big time!