I've noticed that many of you have talked about having a spiritual director for your vocational discernment. Although I believe I know what my vocation is, I do know it could change, would it be wise for me to ask a local priest to be my SD? It's something I've thought about before, but I wasn't sure how to proceed. Any advice?

God bless-
LGLG

Good question.

I recently got a SD, even though I had already discerned my vocation and where I think God is calling me, God willing. Because I knew that I had a while before I could actually enter and that there were going to be issues that I would need advice on, I started praying for the Holy Spirit to help me find the appropriate priest. And God really helped direct my heart in that regard.

I personally think it's helpful in general to have a SD just so you can have someone to go to for advice or just to talk, even if there's nothing that can really be done about a situation. They can also give you objective feedback and help you discern which community you may be called to or when you should enter. This is particularly helpful, I think, if the community you're interested in is further away, making it more difficult to have frequent contact with their VD.

Also, a good SD can also help guide you in your prayer life, which is helpful to anyone, no matter what stage in life they're at. It can be helpful to have someone to be accountable to as well.

Makes sense. The only problem I have now is that I'm at home in the summer and about 2 hrs. away when I'm at school.

God bless-
LGLG

Well, then you could try to find a "real" SD wherever you are most of the year and find another priest where you are the rest of the time just to chat and maybe email or phone every now and then when you're away. Or if your "real" SD is up for it, he may be willing to do mini SD's while you're away via phone.

But most importantly, pray. If God wants you to have a SD, He will put it on your heart to know who to ask and will take care of the logistics.

Peace

Good point. I have one in mind, and the nice thing is he's right inbetween home and school. I just need to pray for a while.

Thanks and God bless-
LGLG

Definitely pray about it and of course discuss it with the priest. Not all priests have the time/feel comfortable for/with the position. When I started my search for a spiritual director, I was advised to find out about local convents, monasteries, etc. in my area (even if it was an hour or so away) and then to ask someone I trusted to help me figure out which were orthodox. From there I could call and inquire about finding a priest that could help me in the way of spiritual direction.

Many diocesan priests simply do not have the time for such matters.

Good luck with your search. I will be praying that it is fruitful!

This would be a problem for me because all of the priests in the area are diocesan priests. However I will continue to pray and I thank you for your prayers.

God bless-
LGLG

Here's something that threw me for a loop. I once asked a priest to be a spiritual director for me. He said he was too uncomfortable being an SD for anyone, because 'that's someone else's soul we're talking about and if I steered them down the wrong path, I'd be accountable to God for them'. Talk about some heavy duty stuff! I was a little stunned when I got that as an answer. .. but I've talked to a couple of other priests, (neither of whom do SD either) and they said that plays into the decision that many make for not becoming an SD, aside from the time factor. I managed to find one who is an order priest. . .but the one I met with while I've been here, is a diocesan priest. It just depends on their many duties, and if they feel experienced enough, you know?

When I first started discerning, a priest from home suggested to me the idea of finding a SD when I got to school and he mentioned the same thing Denise referred to, that is, your SD really is partially responsible for your soul and helping you get to Heaven. My priest's advice was to be careful who you ask. St. Teresa of Avila has some interesting comments about confessors in the beginning of "The Way of Perfection" which I think applies pretty well to SD's in some regards as well and it's worth reading.
In regards to the diocesean/religious priests, it really all depends. My SD is a diocesean priest who has tons of pastoral & administrative responsbilities. Yet, he makes time to do SD because I think he sees it as a gift he's been given.
Continued prayers for you let_go_let_God as you keep looking & praying.

I want to say thanks for all of the advice and for the prayers.

God bless-
LGLG