What should I do? Should I change my path?

[seeker_of_God]

If I were you, I’d do the following.

Spend the next year deciding which diocese or order you want. Go on a bunch of vocation events/retreats. Meet with a vocation director, you should probably start with your diocese; he can help with orders too. At the same time, get a spiritual director, and begin regular meetings. I would also go to confession regularly (at least monthly), pray daily (maybe the Liturgy of the Hours), and try to go to Mass as often as possible. Take some philosophy courses that interest you.

After a year, pick your diocese or order and begin the application process.

God Bless

Thank you. Will it hold me back at all that I’m still only going through RCIA now, as I mentioned earlier in the thread?

Regarding orthodoxy: I thought you meant the eastern Orthodox church as opposed to Roman Catholicism, instead of just apparently being aligned with the teaching of the Church.

Thank you so much for your assistance.

 

[bilop]

Thank you. Will it hold me back at all that I’m still only going through RCIA now, as I mentioned earlier in the thread?

Regarding orthodoxy: I thought you meant the eastern Orthodox church as opposed to Roman Catholicism, instead of just apparently being aligned with the teaching of the Church.

Thank you so much for your assistance.

I’m not sure about the RCIA.

No, when people use small o orthodox, they generally mean, in line with Church teaching, versus heterodox.

You’re very welcome! Feel free to PM me if I can help further.

God Bless

 

[seeker_of_God]

Could anyone else let me know if they think just going through RCIA now will hold me back, and what I should do about it? I’m afraid of approaching someone about it for fear of them saying it’s way too soon to talk about it.

But again, I’m a sophomore in college. I’d preferably like to go into seminary right after my senior year. Even if I’m here an extra year because of switching majors so late, I don’t have that much time, and I don’t think I have a year to start talking to them about it.

So, if anyone has any suggestions, I’d love to hear them, please.

I know I’m quite new to it, but I’ve spent so much time searching for the right and true church, and finally I feel like I’ve been led to it, and now I have that gnawing feeling that I have to do something.

Thanks, everyone.

 

[Poor_Clare_tobe]

Could anyone else let me know if they think just going through RCIA now will hold me back, and what I should do about it? I’m afraid of approaching someone about it for fear of them saying it’s way too soon to talk about it.
*
I would simply go to your campus ministry office today!!! A priest might be in… or even if not… they would have information for you to help you have contacts with your Diocese Vocations Director.
There is nothing to be afraid of. You know you are in need of the information that RCIA will provide… but go connect with your campus ministry… they can help you to have a clearer understanding of what decisions you might need to make. I think you will find by connecting with someone who can help you take your first steps? That you will start getting a concrete game plan…
Take all your questions to them…As in your concerns about the RCIA, and your major, and what steps you need to take, and how to find a spiriual director. You have lots of time really you do as you are still in your first four years. But again do go to the offices… I think they can give you more information than you can ever imagine.

But again, I’m a sophomore in college. I’d preferably like to go into seminary right after my senior year. Even if I’m here an extra year because of switching majors so late, I don’t have that much time, and I don’t think I have a year to start talking to them about it.

Again … you are probably correct in not waiting… do go to campus ministry… they can help you with finding the information and contacts you need. They can suggest the proper academic advisor for you to see, Remember they are set up for just such events and you will make their day if you go in saying… I think I want to enter the priesthood!!!*
So, if anyone has any suggestions, I’d love to hear them, please.

I know I’m quite new to it, but I’ve spent so much time searching for the right and true church, and finally I feel like I’ve been led to it, and now I have that gnawing feeling that I have to do something.

*Again not to be reduntant… pray, pray, pray… and talk to someone in campus ministry… preferably a paid staff member eventually. Find a priest and campus academic advisor… and most of all have fun!!! [They ought to be able to help you… think of it this way… even if it takes a few weeks to solidfy your contacts? … Just having found some peeps to help you from the “I just have to do something feeling”… to the “now I am beginning to have a plan feeling”… won’t that be awesome?

Oh one last thing… Write down you hopes and fears

ie I hope it can be done quickly… or I fear it will take to long or whatever your thoughts are… take them into prayer…[ and also have them handy for any meetings… they might help you to remember all the questions you will have]*

Hopefully others will pop in with other concrete suggestions… I just wanted to get the ball rolling!

Thanks, everyone.