Grrr... I'm really not likeing this, but I have realized how things have been messed up, and now I am fixing them! But I don't like how college messes with me vocation... If you couls pray a Hail Mary for me, it would be much appricated! Thanks!

God Bless and Mary Protect!
Angela

awww sure thing Angela. I'm sorry that college is doing that to your vocation but remember it's these struggles that make us grow stronger

God Bless and Many Prayers,
Jennie Catherine

Wow, Angela!! Thats all a bit weird for me

Yesterday evening i came to the conclusion that my studies (Im studying in the University of Manchester, England) may be affecting my vocation, and thinking as to whether i should drop out and go straight into the seminary, or at least focus more on Christ . So very weird that i come on this morning and find someone in a similar dilemma!!!!

Of course i will pray for you, but could you tell me (either on the board or perhaps a private message) exactly how you feel it is messing up your vocation? it would be interesting to share.

Good luck, and im sure God will lead you onto the right path.

God Bless

Adam

I spent a year in college before entering the seminary and discovered some intresting things about college and vocations. College can help or hurt you vocation, it is really up to you. I started my year at college in bad way , living "the college lifestyle" that really hurt my vocation and my relationship with God. But after about two months I meet the newman club (the catholic club) and they were some of the most amazing and influencial people in my life. They helped me grow in my faith more then anyone else ever has. I am sure I would never have been actually ready to enter the seminary if it wasn't for them. So in other words if you meet the right people in college it can be wonderful for you vocation. Someone once told me there was a reason God wanted me to send a year in college before entering the seminary and now I see that they were right, so consider that maybe God wants in college to strengthen your vocation and keep that in mind as you face the hardships of college life and seek out the great people who you may help you grow in your faith and vocation.
God Bless,
Chris

Hey Angela,

I think i understand a bit more. Im from England though and im not quite sure what a sorority is, but i can imagine roughly what problems you are going through, the 'popular' crowd are th most shallow but wield the most influence. Groups like that tend to dress quite slutty in England (we call them 'slappers'!) and they generally just get drunk and have casual sex (and pregnancy scares!) They always give the appearences of having the time of their lives, but get to know them and you'll find that a lot of them are actually very empty!

Seems like you are surrounded by an anti-vocation world, congratulations for sticking with it! Firstly, quit the sorority thingy, never mind what your mum says, if you are old enough to decided you want to dedicate your life to our Lord then you can make decisions like that.

As for your Catholic association, if they are too liberal (i had a similar group near me) bin them, because thye could be th most damaging thing, as they may convince you to change your views.

You didnt elbaorate on your room mate, so im not sure what you should do there. I have similar problems at University, and if im feeling weak or out of touch, i spend a few days only going to mass, prayer and praying in my room, sometimes it can be hard to disassociate yourself from the 'norms' of student life

Also, find a few things that keep you a short adrenaline shot of faith and inspiration. For instance, im thinking about the Jesuits so i have "The Mission" on DVD which always gives me a boost, as well as some Gregorian chants. If i ever feel tempted by secular life, i always play things like that and i remember my passion of becoming a priest.

Hope you find this helpful!

God Bless

Adam S

That is great! The encouragement helps so much! I think I will stick with the Catholic Group, and maybe wow them some... lol I watch EWTN (Catholic TV Station) all the time and I spend a lot of time here... I think I really need to drop out of the sorority. It is messing with everything! But thank you for your advice! It is much appriciated! God Bless and Mary Protect!

Yours in the Most Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary,

Angela

Hail Mary? Done. :-)

Thank you so much! And my room mate issue may begin to pick up... She just found out I want to be a nun!

FuturenunJMJ...where do you go to school?

I go to a UCC College, Elmhurst College... I'm thinking about transferring to Dominican U... I dunno, if I could afford it though...

If you are looking for a solid Catholic education, good diversity among the campus, good financal help (very good with scholarships), and just a cool school (also I go there), check out Benedictine College...Let me know if you are interested...Here is the website...

www.benedictine.edu

Totus Tuus,

Andy

Just think of it as another obstacle .... Chist is putting all these things in the way to see if ur ganna be faithfull or not

Yes, I can look at it like that. Thanks for the reminder! But I am willing to be faithful! I want to be His humble and loyal betrothed!


I may start looking into a few Catholic Colleges/Universities out here... I was accpeted into Dominican U... Maybe I'll major in Theo there... but here I will just Major in art... I will take some Theo at my UCC College and debate and defend the Catholic Church until my vocal cords bleed lol

Yeah, so I'm a freshman at Indiana University (read party school), but I think I'm growing closer to some vocation. I was reading up on Oblates last year and for some reason the idea of becoming one hit me again a few weeks ago. I don't even really know why, but I went and printed how to live the life again, and I think it really helps with the whole college life. I know why I came to IU and I know how I want to achieve that so just keeping my eye on the prize is really helping. And praying the Hours rocks, espically on hard days. "O God, come to our aid. O Lord, make haste to help us...."

That rocks TRACK2004!!! I continue to pray for you each and every day!!

I think after this year, I might transfer to a Catholic College a few hours away... It is a couple thousand less than my current institution and they look like they have an awesome Theology department... I'm going to be taking shelly_freak with me...

Things are beginning to look up!

Especially if you are discerning! I wish I didn't have to try to get my loans covered (55,000) so that I could enter religious life! Lower cost is always good!

Yeah, but in a way it was totally worth it. I went to Steubenville, and I realized this weekend that I needed to go there in order to find my vocation to the right order, so it was suggested that I beg for my money. I'm only responsible for half of that, so I am going to ask if my parents will take on my half, too (since my mom has gotten a way better job and been promoted since the original decision was made in 2000 when I started college). I figured I would have to work and enter sometime between 06-08, but it seems like I may be trying for July 05 now. I'm dropping the v-bomb and asking my parents on Halloween weekend when I go home, so if you want to pray for anything, that's something that needs to be prayed for (that my parents hearts are softened if this is God's will)

Jen

I plan on going to college, I must prepare myself!

One Hail Mary for you FutureNun!

Thanks Paladin!

humble, lowly... almost the same thing

Yea, like andy, i can really vouch for Benedictine College. It's really doing great for me spiritually. Im in no theology classes yet (none fit into my schedule) but im recieving theology out the wazoo anyway! The Catholic prescence here is absolutely amazing. Let me or andy know if your interested.



-Joe

yay, I'm at the Steubenville website, and I can apply online for free! I guess it can't hurt anything to try. None of the other colleges I'm applying to are Catholic, I was kinda staying away from Catholic schools. I went to a Catholic gradeschool, and I HATED religion class. Not religion, just the class. But I've heard good things about Steubenville, so we'll see.

Peace
-Alan

bump... for some good memories, and some so-so memories...

I don't think my parents will even consider letting me go until I have finished college. They'll probably try to hang on until i'm 34, RIGHT until the last year I can enter...har.

This is going to sound VERY ODD but bear with me.

I am "glad" (but not really) for all of the challenges you are facing in college. Everything that I have read tells me that you are a threat to Satan.
If you were not a threat I believe you wouldn't be having the problems you do. He doesn't bother "his own." Do you understand what I am saying?

I am thinking you are not so much in "college" as you may be in a
"mission field." These people need you, whether or not they are willing to admit it or are even able to understand it.

Which scripture verse talks about not hiding your light under a basket
but put where people can see it?

What you are going through is LIFE. It doesn't matter what your vocation is, there will always be challenges. Think of it this way before a fight what does a boxer have to do? TRAIN for it right? Okay, this may be your training. This sounds like an opportunity to develop your SPIRITUAL MUSCLES.

My time was when I joined the Army. Talk about trying to live your faith. Military life is college times a hundred. I heard conversations where I would go back to the barracks and take a shower. At every turn LITERALLY my beliefs and faith were ridiculed. Their were people I worked with that went out of their way to make fun of me.

In situations like this your faith "grows up." Pretty much up till this point your faith belongs "to how you were raised." Your parents gave it to you and you took their word for it. Now is when you discover and accept your faith for yourself. You will discover through what you go thru, how your faith "fits you" it becomes personal.

I hope you see what I mean.