If you already take spiritual direction from your parish priest, I’d probably discuss this with him first, and let him refer you from there.Thank you! Do I select a spiritual director for this or will my bishop select one? I currently receive spiritual direction from my parish priest (just left for vacation) and a diocesan seminarian (just went back to seminary). About how long would the process take? Thanks again and God bless.
Wait for your priest to return. You should not rush into this decision anyway. I hope the seminarian you receive spiritual direction from is not more than a seminarian should handle. Remember that seminarians- especially minor seminarians- are not priests and do not have all the training in counseling and in spirituality- and perhaps not in their own spiritual formation- that one needs to be a spiritual director. Trying to make one into a spiritual director can cause bigger problems for you and for them.Thank you! Do I select a spiritual director for this or will my bishop select one? I currently receive spiritual direction from my parish priest (just left for vacation) and a diocesan seminarian (just went back to seminary). About how long would the process take? Thanks again and God bless.
If you believe God is real and living, you should be able to make this vow between yourself and God in private. It would seem everything else is vanity and/or needless tempting of yourself. A failure to uphold a public vow would bring shame on yourself and God. “Can you change the color of one hair on your head or add one cubit to your lifespan”? “What the Father sees you do in secret he will reward.” Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness with no one else but God around to witness or conduct a ceremony.What options are available for a layman, such as me, to take some kind of formal vow/promise of celibacy? Can one make one before their bishop, parish priest, a religious community, etc? Are there any other options available? Thanks.