vocation to the priesthood

[Extraecclesiamnullasalus]

can one not be called, but one really wants to be a priest?
 
  im asking is wanting to be a priest a sign that you are called?
 
 
  Sam
 
 

[mississippicatholic]

I have the same kinds of questions.  I'd appreciate an answer too.

[BibleCatholicJMJ]

hehe, me too.  cept I'd like to be a married saint too...  I don't know.  I'm putting off any serious religious discernment until I have my theological problems out of the way and will start thinking more about that again soon.

[HMiS]

If you wánt to pursue the priesthood and offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ, serve His Catholic Church, then you áre called.

 

A vocation is not "given" by a miraculous voice from heaven saying to you "Come and follow Me" or other miracles, but is proven only by a SINCERE desire to live like a priest, or a missionary, or a monk, or a hermit, or a lay brother.

 

Please remind yourself of the fact, that Holy Matrimony is a sacrament of santification too, and that many saints have also become saints in marriage. Though consecrated life of religious is exalted far above marriage of course. It's more perfect.  

[Marybonita]

I agree with the post from HMiS. My son is in first year seminary with the SSPX. He is beginning the years of discernment. He may or may not actually take Holy Orders but is certainly given ample time and opportunity to investigate whether he does have a calling.

 

The requirements are rather simple:

- be a Catholic male in good standing with the Church

- have generally a decent reputation (be ready to have a priest who knows   you recommend you to the seminary)

- be healthy

- well educated (at least highschool with good marks)

- family background is also considered

 

This portrait fits just about any young healthy Catholic male. The difference is an orientation to a desire for this call. There must at least be a willingness to investigate the possibility of a priestly vocation. And you may also have the qualities for the monastery rather than a parish priest.

 

There are many steps to taking Holy Orders over a period of 7 years so there is ample time to consider whether or not it is for you. Don't hesitate by feeling that it is too big a commitment. Develop a healthy humility and trust in God.

 

Read the lives of great priests such as Jean Vianney - Patron Saint of parish priests, Don Bosco, Father DeSmedt, Padre Pro  or St. Piux X for inspiration.

 

I will remember you all in our family rosary this evening.

 

~In JMJ 

 

[kjvail]

I think the circumstances of your life often reveal your vocation.
 For me, I was not called to Christ's Church til I was married and had a family. Therefore I know my vocation is not to take religious vows (tho I have toyed with the idea of joining the permanent diaconate, but I couldn't assist in the NO mass in good conscience and the FSSP has no permanent diaconate) but to be a witness to Christ in the world. I feel confident today that my vocation is to help tho who have enslaved themselves to drugs and alcohol to find recovery all within a Catholic understanding of the human person and man's true final destiny.
 After I got clean I almost immeadiately got involved in substance abuse counseling. But I dropped out of it for a while, tried other things - retail management and computers, I even drove a cab for a while.
  When I moved back to IN in 2002, because we had miserably failed to make it in FL (no steady work, bad financial decisions), within a month I landed my current job with the Dept. of Correction doing substance abuse counseling. Many years ago, before I was in recovery from addiction, I was a Criminal Justice major in college so this was an absolutely the perfect position for me, combining both of my interests, my experiences and all of my rather disorganized education.
 I am still searching for a way to do this is a more explicit manner. For now I am limited to trying to lead these men to the practice of natural virtue, but I know that is not sufficient for salvation. However I'm limited by the environment I work in. If I start telling everyone they have to become Catholic I will lose the opportunities I have to do some good (ie I'll get fired). I have to keep my faith that the opportunity I am given to work with them is just one step on their road and after I'm done with them, God will see they are led further down the correct path. Unfortunately, their intemperence and love for sin is very powerful and they often return to their lives of depravity almost immeadiately. It's very frustrating sometimes but I know God had a plan for me. I have to believe He has a plan for each and every one of them too.

Nothing happens without God's permission, we are all governed by His providence. He allowed me to wallow in error and misery so I could best serve Him later. He knew EXACTLY what He was doing (and of course still does) and I give thanks for that everyday.

[orangemetal]

I must say here that from what i've read and learned the calling is always after the seminary and studing what it is to be a priest of Christ. If a priest deems that you are right for the seminary then you can enter if you want and then only after years and years will you possibly be called by a bishop. Someone please correct me if i'm wrong.

 

Kyrie eleison

Jonathan

[creimann]

Yes, entrance into a seminary is not in itself proof of a calling.
 

[CatholicCrusader]

St. Pius X. said that anyone who can fulfil the duties of the state of life (physically, mentally, spiritually) ought not to have a scruple about whether or not he is called ; these are sufficient as evidence. Of course, after having inquired about or even entered a seminary, when one is told that he does not have a vocation, it is probably a good sign that one does not (that is, in a traditional seminary, not one that tells you that you have "vocational issues" if you pray the Rosary).

[orangemetal]

that is, in a traditional seminary, not one that tells you that you have "vocational issues" if you pray the Rosary

 

Did that really happen?