Young Adult Vocation Thread

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Discerning a vocation to the priesthood. I had my first meeting with my vocations director today. It went very well. I feel such a sense of peace knowing that there will be someone guiding me through this journey no matter how long it takes for God’s will to be revealed. Honestly,I want to do God’s will, regardless if that is the priesthood or to be a good husband and father to children one day.

I studied to be a minister in the Church of God. When I converted to the Catholic church, I never thought that ministry would be on the table. I thought I had to choose between staying in the COG and being a minister or joining the Catholic Church. Maybe this is not the case after all. 👍

I have worried that I am not holy enough to be called. I thought that God does not call people like me…but I have felt the nudging from the Holy Spirit to take a closer look at priesthood, so that is what I am going to do.

Praying for all those discerning vocations that God’s will is revealed to them and that they are receptive to what the Holy Spirit is saying to them. :gopray2:
 
Congratulations CarmeliteGirl! Take this chance to fall in love with Christ all over again, find that little place inside you where He most strongly calls you, and open that up to what may be your future sisters. 🙂

Johnny Reb, just try reading biographies of some of the saints like Saint Augustine or Saint Benedict or looking at the description in scripture of Saint Paul - short as it may be. If God can turn murderers and persecutors of Christians, heretics, and guys who can’t keep their pants on (figuratively speaking, obviously, since people back then didn’t wear a lot of pants), then He can use anyone! Just keep in mind it’s not a matter of us having to do something spectaculor to be able to merit being called or in order to fulfill a certain role in the world and in His Church. He already made us to do great things in this world, all we have to do is get out of His way and let that will, implanted in us from our creation, work its way into our daily lives so that we lives more and more continuously in His light and less and less in our own selfish pride. Just keep you head up and persevere in prayer - it really does work miracles! 👍

Of, and for those of you who have been keeping up with this thread from the beginning, I had my discernment retreat with Trappists of Holy Cross Abbey this weekend and it was amazing! I stayed in the guest house and had a great chance for some serious prayer and spiritual reading and attended the horarium. I met with the Novice/Vocations Director and talked about a lot of my interests, worries, etc., and he even gave me a tour of the enclosure.

There was a short (30-40 minute) recital by a group of four siblings while I was there, so I got to spend some time in the Chapter Room, along with some other retreatants, listening to classical music and interacted with one of the priests a bit - he was a little old man and was an absolute angel. 🙂

In short I had a great time. The only concern I have is the age of the community since, like most religious communities out there, this one is aging rather fast. I’m going to write a couple or few other novice directors at other Trappist monasteries to see what else is out there and look around a bit to make sure I end up where God needs me to be, but this retreat has helped me to open up to God more so that he can guide my life instead of trying to do everything on my own and being headstrong.

Prayers are always appreciated. Know all you who are discerning are in my prayers as well.

In Christ’s Love.
Stephen
 
Congratulations CarmeliteGirl and Stephen! I am so happy for you and just hearing your stories lifts my soul. God is so amazing to all His brothers and sisters! To think that God accepts each and every one of us to be His Brother or His Sister! Amazing!

I just got back from a conference sponsored by PHR (Physicians for Human Rights). It was a very educational conference, but it was also very difficult to sit through some of the speeches. It is, I found out after joining, a rather progressive group. They do a lot for human rights, especially torture, Asylum seekers and the Zimbabwe and Darfur stuff. Yet, they are very democratic, so to say. I truly felt like the minority, morals wise. That made it difficult and I also didn’t make time to keep up the daily prayers I had started.

I learned a lot about how to advocate for the less fortunate and I am determined to take this into the seminary with me next year and for the rest of my life. Unbeknownst to PHR, I will use their training to fight for the Right to Life for ALL people, not just the born or young and healthy.

Anyways, thank you for your stories because they lifted me up from a slump. God Bless you all! Thank you for your prayers.
 
Hey everyone! I’m pretty excited to have found this forum. I’ve been listening to Catholic Answers and several other Catholic podcasts for nearly a year now, and I believe God is working on my heart. Please pray for me, I’m starting a 54-day novena on Tuesday the 10th of February. My intention is to find out if God has a Vocation for me. I’m 26…almost 27, and a bit terrified of this whole process…I’m thinking about the diocesan priesthood. Thanks!
 
Hi

Welcome Pitt you are not the only one who is afraid of this whole vocation thing.I am the same age asyou I am not too sure what I want .Just try and surround yourself with positive people(priests,missionaries,nuns ,committed parishoners etc…) and pray.If do that no matter which road you choose you will go there without making grave mistakes.

Prayer and the company you keep works wonders.👍
 
Thank you! I’ll pray for you and you pray for me! May God bless you.
 
Please pray for me as I am discerning whether or not I am being called to the priesthood. I’m twenty years old, and am a sophomore at a university in Southern California. I have wanted to be a priest since I was nine, but in my last couple of years of high school I let those thoughts go. I recently underwent a minor crisis, and in turning to God to get me through it I found that I still have the desire to follow Christ in religious life. I have put side all thoughts of the priesthood and what God may want in favor for what I wanted, but in the end I realized that it is what God asks of us that is the most important thing, and if he wants be to enter religious life and become a brother, or priest then I will follow him, I will follow him wherever he leads me. I ask for your prayers in order that I may continue to discern, and do whatsoever he asks of me with a glad and joyful heart.
 
3Sanctus-

I’m happy to hear you had a wonderful experience during your visit, but could I ask you something? You mentioned that the age of the particular monestary was a concern, and I understand that it is ultimately God who decides where we find a home, but do you think you would feel bad for the monestray since they need the “younger blood”? Please understand I’m just wondering if it is possible to have guilt about maybe getting a convent or monastaries hopes up and then being called to another place.

I’m kinda in a situation like this, I belong to a very small Ukrainian Catholic parish and we have a convent local but I’m not sure I’m called to their ministry and I don’t want to disapoint my parish…
 
rememberme said:
3Sanctus-

I’m happy to hear you had a wonderful experience during your visit, but could I ask you something? You mentioned that the age of the particular monestary was a concern, and I understand that it is ultimately God who decides where we find a home, but do you think you would feel bad for the monestray since they need the “younger blood”? Please understand I’m just wondering if it is possible to have guilt about maybe getting a convent or monastaries hopes up and then being called to another place.

I’m kinda in a situation like this, I belong to a very small Ukrainian Catholic parish and we have a convent local but I’m not sure I’m called to their ministry and I don’t want to disapoint my parish…
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RememberMe,

Although you posted this question to 3Sanctus, I have been a similar situation myself with a Carmelite monastery. All the members there are much older (20+ age difference), and they hadn’t had a postulant in that long, either. I could tell from the Superior’s reaction to my emails that they were anxious to find new members, even if that meant pulling people who may not have a vocation to their monastery. I honestly believed (from immaturity in my vocation) that I was called there at first, but I began to see what God was doing in my life and I wasn’t called there. The cut-off point for me was after the Superior sent me an email telling me to be wary of other Carmelite orders that weren’t in her association. She actually asked me to promise to visit them, even though I had no vocation there. I, like you, was worried that I would let them down, but I had to do it. They were not open to letting me discern at my own pace, and I felt uncomfortable about being emailed every single day as though I were already a candidate for their order. I made the decision to tell them that I needed some time alone to discern and I emailed the Superior this. I thanked her for her time and help, and I would contact her if things changed. I then blocked her email address. Not because I want to be rude, but I believe that she was trying to get me to join them even after I told her about my decision. She was so anxious for “new blood” that her mindset got in the way of my discernment. That was very unhealthy. After 2 months of no contact, I learned that they acquired 3 new postulants from Kenya. I’m happy for them that their prayer was granted, and I no longer feel uncomfortable or unhappy.

It doesn’t matter what others think or feel. You really need to focus on what you are called to by God in your discernment. If you are not called to this particular order, you owe it to them and yourself to be honest. No order truly wants a candidate who is going to be unhappy because they settled. And, believe me, they won’t be happy if they learned that you were dishonest because you didn’t want to hurt peoples’ feelings. They will receive candidates who are meant for that order if it is God’s will. You need to find the order that you feel comfortable in and could see yourself living there until death.

I hope this helps you, my sister in Christ (please forgive me if I’m mistaken and you are a male; you said “convent” so I’m assuming). God bless you!
 
CarmiliteGirl25-

They will receive candidates who are meant for that order if it is God’s will. You need to find the order that you feel comfortable in and could see yourself living there until death.

Thats pretty much what I was thinking too…if not me then someone who is a much better fit will have the space that I would have taken. I’m sorry you had to go through that uncomfortable time but thank for you sharing it. You are fast becoming my go-to person here 🙂 hope you don’t mind.

I hope this helps you, my sister in Christ (please forgive me if I’m mistaken and you are a male; you said “convent” so I’m assuming). God bless you!

Yup, I’m a girl, sorry for not introducing myself, though I think I may on the way out of young adulthood at age 29 😃

Thanks for everything-God Bless you as well and all who are struggling to find out where they belong in this wonderful and crazy world
 
rememberme said:
CarmiliteGirl25-

They will receive candidates who are meant for that order if it is God’s will. You need to find the order that you feel comfortable in and could see yourself living there until death.

Thats pretty much what I was thinking too…if not me then someone who is a much better fit will have the space that I would have taken. I’m sorry you had to go through that uncomfortable time but thank for you sharing it. You are fast becoming my go-to person here 🙂 hope you don’t mind.

I hope this helps you, my sister in Christ (please forgive me if I’m mistaken and you are a male; you said “convent” so I’m assuming). God bless you!

Yup, I’m a girl, sorry for not introducing myself, though I think I may on the way out of young adulthood at age 29 😃

Thanks for everything-God Bless you as well and all who are struggling to find out where they belong in this wonderful and crazy world
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I don’t mind helping in the least. 👍 I think God is preparing me to become a Vocations Director of my religious community (wherever that may be). LOL!

🙂
 
For those who are meeting with spiritual directors: Once you knew you had a vocation what was your next step?

I ask because I have felt a pull toward vocation for the last few years but have been afraid to take that first step, and was not sure what the first step would be. It all started when the Virgin Mary woke me from my sleep in a visit. I have not told anyone of this event, not even my parents, because I did not think they would believe me. I would appreciate any help y’all could give me. Thanks.
 
Hello All,
My name is Kristina. I am 24 years old and I’m an elementary music teacher. This is my first year teaching, but even though I’m good at it, I feel called elsewhere.

I wanted to be a priest when I was 3 years old, and finding out only boys could be priests, I settled on being a nun. This call has ebbed and flowed throughout my life, but is really hitting home lately.

After some soul searching (more like chipping away at the hardened brick walls surrounding my heart) I have come to some conclusions:
-I would go insane if I was cloistered
-I want to serve in the places that need me most
-I would love to go to another country and work with children
-I want to live in a community of Sisters
-I love the idea of devoting myself to God, inside and out
-I get goosebumps whenever I see a Nun or Sister (had to throw that one in there)

I have researched some places, but would welcome anyone’s advice or knowledge on the matter.

I am spending spring break with the Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception in New Jersey. I am very excited to see what a Sister’s life is like!

If anyone knows of any other orders which serve overseas please let me know! The more the merrier!

God Bless!
 
Crimsonflyboy said:
For those who are meeting with spiritual directors: Once you knew you had a vocation what was your next step?

I ask because I have felt a pull toward vocation for the last few years but have been afraid to take that first step, and was not sure what the first step would be. It all started when the Virgin Mary woke me from my sleep in a visit. I have not told anyone of this event, not even my parents, because I did not think they would believe me. I would appreciate any help y’all could give me. Thanks.
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Hello CrimsonFlyboy,

Your first step is to continue to pray. Pray for guidance and continued support from your Holy Mother Mary.

I think along with your first step you should honor and give thanks to Mary for her constant intercession on your behalf. I have a good book for you to read, “True Devotion to Mary” by St. Louis Marie de Montfort. You can find it there or look around. I would also recommend “The Secret of the Rosary” by the same author.

The next step would be to find a spiritual adviser. Do you have a priest you are close to? Or, I am assuming by your name you are male, talk to the vocations director for your diocese or a local seminary. They would have great advise as far as your next step. I would almost say contact the vocations directors first because they always know good spiritual advisers or they, themselves, can be your spiritual adviser.

After that I would just say see where The Spirit leads you. Add whatever prayers/devotions inspire your heart. I know that since I have finally committed to a year in the seminary my prayer life/faith has just sky rocketed! I am on Fire with the Spirit and it just seems to get stronger every day. This is why I know I am making the right decision.

I will pray for you as I pray for all those discerning their vocations. God Bless and may Mary continue to watch over you.
 
ladybuggirl84 said:
Hello All,
My name is Kristina. I am 24 years old and I’m an elementary music teacher. This is my first year teaching, but even though I’m good at it, I feel called elsewhere.

I wanted to be a priest when I was 3 years old, and finding out only boys could be priests, I settled on being a nun. This call has ebbed and flowed throughout my life, but is really hitting home lately.

After some soul searching (more like chipping away at the hardened brick walls surrounding my heart) I have come to some conclusions:
-I would go insane if I was cloistered
-I want to serve in the places that need me most
-I would love to go to another country and work with children
-I want to live in a community of Sisters
-I love the idea of devoting myself to God, inside and out
-I get goosebumps whenever I see a Nun or Sister (had to throw that one in there)

I have researched some places, but would welcome anyone’s advice or knowledge on the matter.

I am spending spring break with the Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception in New Jersey. I am very excited to see what a Sister’s life is like!

If anyone knows of any other orders which serve overseas please let me know! The more the merrier!

God Bless!
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Excellent! Do you know what spirituality you feel most called to? For me, it’s the Carmelites, but I also have an attraction to the Franciscans. If you’ve not looked into the different teaching orders, I would be happy to look them up for you, or you can find some of them here:

[=%221%22"]Education/Teaching Orders for women]("http://db.religiouslife.com/reg_life/irl.nsf/as/?SearchView&Query=[education)

These are the orders that do teaching AND missionary work and are listed on IRL:

[=%221%22"]Missionary and Teaching Sisters]("http://db.religiouslife.com/reg_life/irl.nsf/as/?SearchView&Query=[education)

One order I would highly recommend, especially if you feel called to the Carmelite spirituality, is the Servant Sisters of the Home of the Mother.

homeofthemother.org/

They have a convent close to my home, and I’ve met them this past year. I tell you, I never met such a beautiful order! They have convents in other countries as well, which may satisfy your desire to teach foreign children. If I was called to education, I would look into them, but I am not. I am looking into the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus (not a teaching order).

There’s another order called the Sisters of the Most Holy Soul of Christ the Lord that do mission work and teach, AND are habited! I was in contact with them for a while before discovering I was called elsewhere. Their Vocation Director is VERY sweet. 😃

sistersofthemostholysoulofchrist.com/

Also, do you only feel called to habited orders, or would non-habited orders be suitable as well, such as the Sisters of Notre Dame?

God bless you!
 
Doc2be said:
Hello CrimsonFlyboy,

Your first step is to continue to pray. Pray for guidance and continued support from your Holy Mother Mary.

I think along with your first step you should honor and give thanks to Mary for her constant intercession on your behalf. I have a good book for you to read, “True Devotion to Mary” by St. Louis Marie de Montfort. You can find it there or look around. I would also recommend “The Secret of the Rosary” by the same author.

The next step would be to find a spiritual adviser. Do you have a priest you are close to? Or, I am assuming by your name you are male, talk to the vocations director for your diocese or a local seminary. They would have great advise as far as your next step. I would almost say contact the vocations directors first because they always know good spiritual advisers or they, themselves, can be your spiritual adviser.

After that I would just say see where The Spirit leads you. Add whatever prayers/devotions inspire your heart. I know that since I have finally committed to a year in the seminary my prayer life/faith has just sky rocketed! I am on Fire with the Spirit and it just seems to get stronger every day. This is why I know I am making the right decision.

I will pray for you as I pray for all those discerning their vocations. God Bless and may Mary continue to watch over you.
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Hello Doc2be,

I am still new to the Orlando area so I don’t know our local priest very well. I will sit down and talk with him soon though. Your right about the two books you reccomend, I have read them both and they were great help. Thank you for the advice and prayers. I will write back and let you how everything works out.
 
Hello all,

I am 16 years old and have felt what may be a calling to the priesthood, although I really can’t be 100 percent sure at this point. I am considering multiple career paths to take after college and priest is one of them. I attend a school run by Jesuits and really admire them. However, if I was to go for the priesthood, I would probably prefer the Diocesan role. I really have to consider the merits of a career in other fields too, such as computer science and law.

Anyways, I just wanted to stop by and say hello to everyone here.

Thanks and God Bless,
T
 
Hello Again!

Thank you for your imput and help! It is greatly appreciated!

I have found a bunch of different orders who serve overseas in a variety of ways. I am a teacher, but I am not sure that is what I wish to do. I want to be involved in an order that has many different ministries. The Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception serve in many countries and in many ways. I am very excited to learn more about them when I visit over Spring Break. I am also looking into the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Religious Missionaries of St Dominic, the Corpus Christi Carmelites (I really like this one), and the Daughters of St Paul.

I just recently discovered the Daughters of St. Paul. They are also an international group, but their outreach is media communications. They share the gospel through books, internet, music, and other forms of technology. Is anyone familar with these Sisters? I have look at their website and I am working to get to know them better.

Any advice is, of course, welcome.

Kristina
 
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