What if I wanted to become a priest, but would like to be married first?

[LordLove7_11_11]

Would this suggest that it isn’t my calling, or are there no problems with the idea? I love the Lord and love learning about Him, I think I would be a good priest, but I also love my girlfriend who the Lord has granted me and will marry her. Thanks for any feedback.

Mike

 

[michaeldaniels]

You could be a deacon if you got married…but not a priest…I suggest you pray long and hard and meet with spiritual director and decide what exactly your vocation is and pursue it…you can either be a priest or get married…not both.

Would this suggest that it isn’t my calling, or are there no problems with the idea? I love the Lord and love learning about Him, I think I would be a good priest, but I also love my girlfriend who the Lord has granted me and will marry her. Thanks for any feedback.

Mike

 

[turboEDvo]

Have you considered becoming a deacon? I ask because it may give the opportunities you seek as well as the ability to marry.

Eamon

 

[turboEDvo]

You could be a deacon if you got married…but not a priest…I suggest you pray long and hard and meet with spiritual director and decide what exactly your vocation is and pursue it…you can either be a priest or get married…not both.

Not technically true, if an annulment or death of spouse occurred. Not that either is the best outcome, but it’s not impossible…

Sorry, I’m just being a smart-alec

Eamon

 

[LoveFaithnHope]

Would this suggest that it isn’t my calling, or are there no problems with the idea? I love the Lord and love learning about Him, I think I would be a good priest, but I also love my girlfriend who the Lord has granted me and will marry her. Thanks for any feedback.

Mike

Mike, the Lord has blessed you with a wonderful partner and companion who loves you and whom you love too. There are many ways that you can provide ministry without becoming an ordained priest. Perhaps the Lord has provided you with the partner in life that you need, and together, you and she can be an example to other married couples in your community, and that is part of your calling and your ministry.

So many couples need to see that a man and wife can be involved in their Church, and live happy lives together. Love is fundamental to all things, and you and your girlfriend obviously share that with one another. Love is the highest expression we can share with one another. “Love one another as I have loved you.”

I wish you and your girlfriend the happiest life together joined in marriage, love, friendship, and abundance.

God Bless you both.

 

[LordLove7_11_11]

Can anyone explain more about what a Deacon’s role is in the church? Obviously I have seen them participate and read in mass, but I don’t know much about their vocation.

Also, I was under the impression that one could become a Catholic priest if they were already married? I’m sure I have seen priest who are married, just not many.

Thanks for the replies.

Mike

 

[surritter]

A deacon’s vocation is different from a priest’s, so don’t view becoming a deacon as a work-around way of fulfilling the desire or calling to be a priest.

There are some exceptions that allow married priests, which is probably what you are thinking of. First, there are married priests in many Eastern rites of the Catholic Church, but I assume you are a Latin-rite Catholic, and it is not allowed to change rites merely to become a married priest. The other notable case of married priests – within the Latin rite – are former Anglican clergy who have converted to the Catholic faith, and are given a case-by-case dispensation to be allowed to pursue the Catholic priesthood while remaining married.

Basically, you simply need to do lots of praying, and seek a good priest as a spiritual director. If you ask, I’m sure God will somehow show you what the right path is for you!

 

[Spencerian]

Can anyone explain more about what a Deacon’s role is in the church? Obviously I have seen them participate and read in mass, but I don’t know much about their vocation.

Also, I was under the impression that one could become a Catholic priest if they were already married? I’m sure I have seen priest who are married, just not many.

Thanks for the replies.

Mike

Hi, Mike!

Here’s the Catholic Encyclopedia’s extremely long-winded explanation of the office of the deaconate.

A contemporary explanation can be found here on Wikipedia (they actually write something accurately for a change).

The deaconate is something I have been interested in as well, having marriage on my mind. If the Lord’s message is clear and all other obligations are met for my son later, it might be my calling as well.

 

[danfinocchio]

In his Theology of the Body, John Paul II teaches (and technically the Church has always taught, but never explained it this well) that: Celibacy in the priesthood is intended to mean you are waiting for union with God which is the true calling of every human soul (not the priesthood but union with God).

Marraige is intended to point us towards union with God, almost as a foretaste you could say. I encourage you to take up a study of his Theology of the Body, its fantastic marraige prep. Here’s a link talking about the subject christopherwest.com/page.asp?ContentID=128

 

[m134e5]

Have you considered becoming a deacon? I ask because it may give the opportunities you seek as well as the ability to marry.

Eamon

Choosing not to become a priest because you can marry and just become a deacon is no reason to not become a priest. It isn’t a reason to become a deacon either. The diaconate and the priesthood are distinct vocations- you don’t choose to be a deacon simply because you don’t want to sacrifice.