Worthiness and the Priesthood

[Tim_c]

Thank you in advanced for your help.

I have recently felt that I may have a vocation to the priesthood. I know it is something I should discuss with a priest and something I should pray about. I do have one question though. I understand that many men feel unworthy for the priesthood but at what point is one actually not worthy? How low can one sink before he can no longer be considered a candidate for the priesthood? The reason I ask is because I didn’t lead an exactly Christian life during high school and feel that I might be unworthy to be a priest.

 

[FrCorey]

Thank you in advanced for your help.

I have recently felt that I may have a vocation to the priesthood. I know it is something I should discuss with a priest and something I should pray about. I do have one question though. I understand that many men feel unworthy for the priesthood but at what point is one actually not worthy? How low can one sink before he can no longer be considered a candidate for the priesthood? The reason I ask is because I didn’t lead an exactly Christian life during high school and feel that I might be unworthy to be a priest.

If God calls you, you are able to do it.
if God didn’t want you, he would not have called.
He called because he thinks you would make a fine priest.

 

[Cloisters]

Thank you in advanced for your help.

I have recently felt that I may have a vocation to the priesthood. I know it is something I should discuss with a priest and something I should pray about. I do have one question though. I understand that many men feel unworthy for the priesthood but at what point is one actually not worthy? How low can one sink before he can no longer be considered a candidate for the priesthood? The reason I ask is because I didn’t lead an exactly Christian life during high school and feel that I might be unworthy to be a priest.

I don’t like calling this a “formula,” but that’s almost what it amounts to:

1. Accept Divine Mercy for your past. Jesus wants to hold the aching world to His Merciful Heart. This includes you.
2. Get a spiritual director
3. Contact the (arch)diocesan vocations director
4. Frequent the sacraments and sacramentals
5. Develop a devotion to your guardian angel

The call to the priesthood can be overwhelming, but remember St. Augustine. Read his “Confessions” if you can. He had a common-law wife and a child out of wedlock when he converted.

St. Therese, the Little Flower, said even if she had been the most horrific sinner on the face of the earth, she would still go running to the open arms of God.

HTH

Blessings,
Cloisters

 

[YACatholic]

Thank you in advanced for your help.

I have recently felt that I may have a vocation to the priesthood. I know it is something I should discuss with a priest and something I should pray about. I do have one question though. I understand that many men feel unworthy for the priesthood but at what point is one actually not worthy? How low can one sink before he can no longer be considered a candidate for the priesthood? The reason I ask is because I didn’t lead an exactly Christian life during high school and feel that I might be unworthy to be a priest.

Well, how low can one sink before they are no longer able to be forgiven? Exactly, there is no limit to God’s forgiveness.

Having struggled through your high school years, you would have a context for the struggles and obstacles facing high school students today and in the future. Your insight would be a blessing to those your minister to. Your acknowledgement of your own short comings is what we are called to do in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It sounds to me like you’re doing this the right way. You are discerning, asking questions, and calling to mind your shortcomings. But, you may not realize how these experiences in life will help you relate to others (in the priesthood or otherwise). Make a list of reasons why you would make a good priest, and make a list of concerns. Take them to a priest you trust (or your diocesan vocational director) and discuss them. You may find out that they have fallen a greater distance in their life. But they may have a greater insight for you, having been a priest for a number of years.

This Sunday, listen to the second Reading. Ponder it. Who does God use?

I will pray for you and your intentions in front of the Blessed Sacrament today. God Bless you.

-YACatholic

 

[puzzleannie]

the formation for the vocation God calls you to and the sacrament that initiates you to the vocation makes you worthy, through Christ’s grace. If you wait until you are worthy to start preparing you will never get there.

None of us is worthy. your parish priest is not worthy, your bishop is not worthy, the pope is not worthy, you and I are not worthy, Jesus alone is worthy, so it is through him that we receive all the graces, in abundance, we need to do His will for us.

 

[Seminarian_X]

Jesus chooses to call you. You don’t choose to be called by him. Ultimately, the Church will determine your “worthiness.” But a decision can’t be made until you take the first step. Cast out into the deep. No time like the present.

 

[Lepanto]

None of us is worthy. your parish priest is not worthy, your bishop is not worthy, the pope is not worthy, you and I are not worthy, Jesus alone is worthy, so it is through him that we receive all the graces, in abundance, we need to do His will for us.

Exactly what I was about to say. Annie saved me the typing.

No man would be a priest if worthiness was the key qualification. The fact is that no man is worthy of the priesthood. So just get over it and accept it.

Then call your vocations director and continue discerning!

 

[LtPaint]

Thank you in advanced for your help.

I have recently felt that I may have a vocation to the priesthood. I know it is something I should discuss with a priest and something I should pray about. I do have one question though. I understand that many men feel unworthy for the priesthood but at what point is one actually not worthy? How low can one sink before he can no longer be considered a candidate for the priesthood? The reason I ask is because I didn’t lead an exactly Christian life during high school and feel that I might be unworthy to be a priest.

St. Augustine did not lead a Christian life during his early life.
St. Paul helped kill Christians before Christ spoke to him and told him his calling.
And now they are saints.
We are always unworthy, but what matters is if we trying to be worthy or not.
Continue your discernment.
Talk to a vocations director.
God Bless and may He guide you through your discernment.

 

[Tim_c]

Thank you everyone. I will continue to pray and ask God what his calling for me is.

 

[RevDrNorth]

Thank you in advanced for your help.

I have recently felt that I may have a vocation to the priesthood. I know it is something I should discuss with a priest and something I should pray about. I do have one question though. I understand that many men feel unworthy for the priesthood but at what point is one actually not worthy? How low can one sink before he can no longer be considered a candidate for the priesthood? The reason I ask is because I didn’t lead an exactly Christian life during high school and feel that I might be unworthy to be a priest.

Tim, You are correct that you are NOT worthy. But then no one is. If we waited for the worthy there would be no Priests. We are made worthy through Christ. If He calls you then He will equip you and if you seek His will NO obstacle will stand in the way of that being successful.

Remember Tim that you cannot get much worse than Saul (later Paul) he was responsible for the deaths of Christians. God did okay with him (most of the NT written by him and he was the great missionary force in early Christianity). Give your faults and issues to God and as has been noted, seek spiritual guidance.

May you be blessed as you seek His will for your life!

 

[CapIV]

Try reading the Confessions of St Augustine.