Yeah, so I've been having a bad couple of days. It wasn't the fact the last two days were bad that me hesitant, its how I handled them (without much grace.)

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Let me just throw-out there too, You're 18 or 19 right? You are not going to be perfect! Do your best and keep learning, but don't beat yourself up because you're not Mother Teresa yet! Holiness takes time, so give yourself a break.

Blessings!

Well basically I've been havind such a rough time cause my car is turning into carp. And even if I would contact the VD, more likely I'd have drive to the seat of the diocese, which is about 2 hours ago, and I don't think my car would make it.

And still don't think I can tell my family.

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Bummer about your car I hope things work-out.

But, quit trying to talk yourself out of it!

If you call to talk with him, it DOESN'T mean you have to tell your parents or drive out there. It just means you have someone knowledgeable to talk with (ignore end of sentance preposition here).

It can't hurt!

Be brave man! Go rent Gladiator and Braveheart if you need some inspiration!

I can't do it. I'm too stupid for anything above high school education- especially the semenairy.

That's not a very nice thing to say about yourself. If it's God will it will happen. Keep your head up.

Okay, this is officially becoming the cheerleader for catholicinsd thread! You CAN do it! You CAN make the call! (I'm not saying you CAN or WILL be a Priest -that is GOD's GRACE, remember)! But, you CAN buck-up and MAKE THE CALL!

Blessings!

Think of the little tug boat! I think I can -I know I can!

Excuse me?! Have you ever read anything about St. John Vianney?!

OK I'll do it. I just don't know what to wright.

Um, yea so I'm trying to write this email, but I can't.

The great thing about a vocation is that it's not your decision alone. You submit yourself to the Church, and the Church determines whether or not you have a vocation. That's what Seminary is for. Maybe you do have a vocation, maybe you don't. But you don't have to be perfect to give it a try and find out. St. John Vianney couldn't read Latin, and that was a HUGE deal back then. He was barely ordained.

AMEN Era Might!

Ok, so here goes nothing. I'm going to write the email tonight.

Just sent it.

I read something on one of these boards regarding discernment about giving your heart over to the Immaculate Heart of Mary so that she may unite your will with God's to help you find what it is you're called to do (or something to that effect... I don't remember exactly how they phrased it). But after reading it, I couldn't help but laugh because if I know anything, I'm pretty darn sure that if I submitted completely to do whatever Mary would desire of me, I'd be headed straight for the priesthood -- no questions asked!

Maybe my thinking that is a sign that I am called to be a priest, but on the other hand, for some reason I just can't picture Mary specifically calling someone to marriage if their love for God is so great that they completely sacrifice their own will for God's. Is that an unhealthy attitude to have?

I definitely respect marriage and don't consider it a "lower" calling, but I was just curious what thoughts you all would have about that.

Ok, so I emailed the VD a week ago and he hasn't replied. I'm kinda upset.

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Send him another quick e-mail just asking him to verify that he received your first e-mail. If you don't hear anything back in a few days, call the office.

I'll pray for you and the VD. Perhaps he/she is very busy or out of the office...

I got a letter from him yesterday, asking me to attend the "Viaiany Visit" but I can't do that.

But I'm just happy to get a response.

Yeah, I don't think have good enough grades to be accepted at St. Thomas/St. John Vianany.

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That is SO true and SO wise LF. Mother Teresa said to her postulants, "The need is great but still, I don't need numbers. No need to stay."

In essence, there is no shame in starting the sem/convent and then discerning the call is elswhere. Sometimes that is how God speaks to us. The question isn't neccessarily "Where am I needed?" but "How does God want to make me Holy?".

I have enough friends, who are really good and holy people, who have spent years with the CFR's, Nashville Dominicans, at the PNAC, SJV, and elswhere only to discern the call was something other (before ordination or final vows). There is no shame in this. In these years, he helped to form holy husbands, wives, and single lay people.

I was once told that If i felt like i wanted to be a priest, then i shouldnt have gotten married. Because in the future, it would really hurt. I'm married now, i still think about what things would be like if i was a priest. I love being married. But it still does hurt a little when i think about being a priest.