Semi-discernment question

[Miles Christi]

I am somewhat conflicted between my desire to raise a family, and my interest in the priesthood.
I do want to get married and raise children, but I do often have thoughts about the priesthood.
Since I only recently returned to practicing my religion, I spent Middle School and most of High School in a state of mortal sin,
I think the interest in the priesthood could just be my gift of zeal reacting with my gratitude for reconciling with Christ and studying my faith.

However, I do want to ask, since I am going to college (majoring in engineering), what would be the best steps to discern a vocation
and prepare for an entrance to seminary (if I am so called). I figure I have some years to decide. What should I study? What should I do?

Also, has anyone from fish eaters experienced the seminary? What is it like? How does one apply?
Which ones are orthodox in belief and practice?

Thank You in advance.

[CollegeCatholic]

Engineers and wanting to discern...

Go on a few vocation discernment retreats.  Pray, keep in grace, frequent the sacraments. 

[Rosarium]

I am somewhat conflicted between my desire to raise a family, and my interest in the priesthood.
I do want to get married and raise children, but I do often have thoughts about the priesthood.
Since I only recently returned to practicing my religion, I spent Middle School and most of High School in a state of mortal sin,
I think the interest in the priesthood could just be my gift of zeal reacting with my gratitude for reconciling with Christ and studying my faith.

Keep in mind that vocations are not a guessing game. Do what is good at all times in the meantime.

However, I do want to ask, since I am going to college (majoring in engineering), what would be the best steps to discern a vocation
and prepare for an entrance to seminary (if I am so called). I figure I have some years to decide. What should I study? What should I do?

Keep in mind that there are more vocations than priesthood and marriage.

If your academic pursuits are good, then continue them. For advice, go to a priest. That is their job (well, part of it).

[jonbhorton]

The first thing would be to talk to your priest/spiritual director/confessor or all 3 if they're not the same.

[cath4ever]

What should I study?

What should I do?

Also, has anyone from fish eaters experienced the seminary? What is it like? How does one apply?
Which ones are orthodox in belief and practice?

Thank You in advance.
[/quote]

What should I study?

DO NOT study philosophy, theology, or religion in a secular university, or even in most "Catholic" colleges and universities. You will not get correct teaching in those classes and they could destroy your potential vocation and maybe even your faith in general. Other than that, study anything you want. If you're going to college rather than straight to the Seminary there aren't too many classes in college that would benefit you much as a Priest. Taking college classes geared towards entrance into the Seminary would, in my opinion, be a waste of both time and money if they aren't applicable to the degree for which you are studying. With that said, accounting would have some application to the priesthood because parish Priests do have to do some administrative work, and accounting would still be a solid major and profession even if you don't enter the seminary (I am biased though, since I have a degree in accounting). If you study biology, be careful when handling issues like Darwinian evolution. The atheistic secularist professor you will most likely have in biology might twist and exagerate that unproven theory into a dogmatic definition above question and use it to attempt to destroy your faith.
No matter what you study, don't let the secular or down-right anti-religious mindset that most of your peers will have influence you. The smartest of men believe in God.
 

What should I do?

Pray for the guidance of the Holy Ghost and, as another poster already said, get and consult a spiritual director who preferably is a Priest. Let him know your strengths and weaknesses and trust him to give you correct advice.


Has anyone from fish eaters experienced the seminary?

I was on a week-long visit to a seminary back in May 2010. Obviously that doesn't give me all THAT much experience in seminary life, but at least it's something. Not to mention I had wanted to be a Priest from age 5 to age 21 (I'm 24 now) and had extensively studied what Seminary life would be like, and tried to live it as much as possible at times when I was in high school. Nothing came as a surprise at the Seminary while I was there for a week because of all the previous knowledge of it that I had, so I do know some about what a Seminary is like.


What is it like?

Seminary life is very structured, and it is structured around prayer and study. Some of the Divine Office is prayed in choir every day, Mass is celebrated daily, there are daily classes throughout the work week, and there is also time for recreation. One thing about a Traditional Catholic Seminary that is worth noting is that the Seminary is almost a world to itself. TVs are usually not allowed, and I don't think most traditional seminaries allow seminarians to use the internet, cell phones, or maybe even newspapers either. This is partly to keep seminarians away from the many occasions of sin those things can present, but it also is to keep them focused on Almighty God, their spiritual lives, and the souls they will one day have to save as Priests. The Seminary shows the seminarian that the things of the world are fleeting and it keeps them focused on the things of God.

How does one apply?

Contact the rector of the seminary you wish to attend, he will tell you what to do. You can also get some help from your parish priest in that too I'm sure. Any seminary with a website surely has a contact page on its site.

Which ones are orthodox in belief and practice?

I'll answer that in a private e-mail.