Today I was talking to random people at a parish picnic about vocations, and how I hope to enter the college seminary.

One of the individuals said to me, "But don't you think priests should not enter college seminary right away so they can have life experience."

My response was as follow:

College seminaries these days are packed with young men who think they might be called to the priesthood. We have a new generation of priests coming up, we have priests who are hard core for their faith, love the devotions such as the rosary, adoration, and are just on fire for God. But the priesthood is very diverse. You have some priests like the one at this parish who does not adhere to most of the church's teachings, and you have some that won't say anything against what the Church teaches for it is truth itself and can not be contradicted or changed.

College seminary is not about lack of life experience, college seminary forms you into a leader, a leader in today's world, a leader to be counter cultural, to defend the gospel of life in the culture of death. You don't have to be sure of your vocation to enter the seminary. But the fact of the matter is, if a person like myself feels that they might have a vocation to the priesthood at a young age, you should not hinder that call. Not going to college seminary would pose many temptations for example, if you were to date, you would be distracted since you'd be thinking about marriage and priesthood at the same time, not a healthy combo. It would not be fair to the girl or god. What is most important is what God wills. If your not called to the priesthood God will let you know, and if you find after college seminary that your not called, then you can fully enter into a relationship without a doubt and dedicate yourself to that relationship.

And even in seminary you do experience life, though I'm only a possible candiate for the seminary next fall, this summer I have done things I never thought I would be doing. I have been working with an autistic boy, I have kyake, canoed, went tubing, water skiing, drive in movies, camping, etc. Things I never thought I would ever do in life I have done. I can't imagine what else God has in store for me to experience and I personally don't feel college seminary would prevent me from not experiencing life.

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Now is there anything else I should have said? Is that a good speil?

In the Lord,

Ed

I liked the spiel .

I think it all depends on the person's maturity, attitude, and faith more than it does their age. Some people are ready for college seminary right after high school and some may need some more experience before going in. Every case is different and the bishops know that. That's my $.02 at least.

Nice!

Though I might have just shortened it all to, "I experience life every day."

I especially liked that bit. I think when you can explain something to someone and use something they're familiar with (in this case, dating) the better.

And here's a quote I'm quite fond of that would possibly suit: God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called. Love that.

I think you covered it all...but remember, this is between you and God. You don't owe an explanation to anybody. I can understand your wanting to be a witness, but your very choice and life is a witness. Good luck, and God bless! Perpetualove

I would've been standing there taking notes on your spliel!

Blessings,
Gemma

I think it was very good. It shows, not only do you really feel called, but that you have done reasearch and are very mature, ready to awnser the call. Bravo.

You are too correct. I wish that I had been able to enter at 20 instead of 28 (which is what I will be.)
The Lord gives us what we need to be faithful and I really could have done without some of my "youthful" experiences. Praise God for His Mercy.

Pax,

Dare

Well thought out, but you might have wanted to do without this part

" But the priesthood is very diverse. You have some priests like the one at this parish who does not adhere to most of the church's teachings, and you have some that won't say anything against what the Church teaches for it is truth itself and can not be contradicted or changed."

Slamming your priest derails the argument for a moment. It also offers the reader or listener an opportunity to be skeptical or dismissive of you. You can identify problems without identifying one person or priest.

Otherwise, I thought what you said here...


"College seminary is not about lack of life experience, college seminary forms you into a leader, a leader in today's world, a leader to be counter cultural, to defend the gospel of life in the culture of death. You don't have to be sure of your vocation to enter the seminary. But the fact of the matter is, if a person like myself feels that they might have a vocation to the priesthood at a young age, you should not hinder that call. Not going to college seminary would pose many temptations for example, if you were to date, you would be distracted since you'd be thinking about marriage and priesthood at the same time, not a healthy combo. It would not be fair to the girl or god. What is most important is what God wills. If your not called to the priesthood God will let you know, and if you find after college seminary that your not called, then you can fully enter into a relationship without a doubt and dedicate yourself to that relationship."


...was the perfect response to anyone's objections about a young person entering seminary. Bravo for you!