Hey phamily,
Since I left seminary the one thing that I have realized is that my life as no direction. I have no regrets about leaving seminary let me tell you that. I'm pretty happy with my new college and my classes. But the one thing I continue to come back to is that what I'm studying can not bring fufillment in my life. I continue to recognize that I need to live more Jesus. When I left seminary I became very mediocre and have been working on becoming that person who I once was. And what I keep coming back to is that I really feel called to be back in seminary. In addition, a girl that I have become very close to tells me everytime we spend time together that she thinks I would make a great priest. Everytime she tells me that it hurts becasue she is so perfect and everything that I've ever wanted in a girl she posesses, she is a very devout Catholic and we have so much in common and I would love to date her and enter into a relationship with her but she tells me to consider the priesthood. She encourages me to live a better life and to be a better Catholic.
Now don't think that I'm looking at seminary because she told me to. The idea of re-entering seminary and losing her hurts me so much because she is so perfect. But I can not keep running from Jesus. I ran away from Jesus when I was in seminary, I ran away telling him not Your will Lord but MINE be done.
So my question is I'm thinking about priesthood, although I may visit an order, I personally feel called to the parish life and being a parish priest. I personally no longer want to discern with my own diocese, especially if I wanted to return to college seminary (although we are expected to get a new Bishop soon!) I would return to SJV. The funny thing is, is that every single vocation to the priesthood in my parish in the Green Bay Diocese has went to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Not one son of the parish studied for the Green Bay Diocese but went to the Archdiocese. I am interested in emailing the vocation director for that Archdiocese but am wondering if you think it is to soon. Even if I were to apply I think I would remain in college where I am through my sophomore year and go to seminary for my junior year of studies (if this were to come to fruition).
I'm looking for advice and it is apprecaited!
In Christ,
Edward
Full Version: It's Only Been A Month But Is It To Soon?
My advice is simply to slow down.
Don't worry if you feel as though your life has no direction. All that means is that you're unnerved by your lack of control, which is something that everybody feels. It's like climbing a staircase in the dark: you can't see where you're going and you've no idea where you'll end up, but you have to keep placing one foot in front of the other and trust that you'll get to the top someday.
In your other thread you wrote that your decision to leave the seminary was taken in conjunction with your superiors, which suggests that it probably was the best choice for you at the time. If you're enjoying your new courses, throw yourself heart and soul into those - God makes Himself known to us through the things that we enjoy and find enriching, not through hours of endless agonising and soul-searching. No one but God knows where you will be a few years from now, so don't worry about that. Just focus on where you already are. If you were to die tonight, the important thing would be how you spent today, not how (or even whether) you planned for tomorrow.
Also, don't feel as though you have to work on becoming the person whom you once were. We all change throughout our lives. There's no use in going back. You may feel uncomfortable with yourself as you are now, but the best thing is to live with that discomfort, offer it to God, and let Him work with it. Times of transformation and change usually do cause worry and heartache - the important thing is to realise the blessings that these difficulties can bring, not to start planning how you will get yourself settled again.
God bless. I will pray for you.
Don't worry if you feel as though your life has no direction. All that means is that you're unnerved by your lack of control, which is something that everybody feels. It's like climbing a staircase in the dark: you can't see where you're going and you've no idea where you'll end up, but you have to keep placing one foot in front of the other and trust that you'll get to the top someday.
In your other thread you wrote that your decision to leave the seminary was taken in conjunction with your superiors, which suggests that it probably was the best choice for you at the time. If you're enjoying your new courses, throw yourself heart and soul into those - God makes Himself known to us through the things that we enjoy and find enriching, not through hours of endless agonising and soul-searching. No one but God knows where you will be a few years from now, so don't worry about that. Just focus on where you already are. If you were to die tonight, the important thing would be how you spent today, not how (or even whether) you planned for tomorrow.
Also, don't feel as though you have to work on becoming the person whom you once were. We all change throughout our lives. There's no use in going back. You may feel uncomfortable with yourself as you are now, but the best thing is to live with that discomfort, offer it to God, and let Him work with it. Times of transformation and change usually do cause worry and heartache - the important thing is to realise the blessings that these difficulties can bring, not to start planning how you will get yourself settled again.
God bless. I will pray for you.
It has to be your decision obviously, but if you think Jesus is chasing you, then you are likely to get caught. If this perfect Catholic girl is encouraging you to the priesthood, maybe God is working through her. First, I would discuss with her how you feel about her. You don't want to spend your seminary career wondering what could have been. If you decide that marriage is your vocation instead, make very sure. Your pull to the priesthood might end up being a barrier between you and any future wife.
That's a tough one. Do you have a spiritual director or a confessor that you could confide in? Some one that has known you for some time.
If you do decide to contact the vocation director in Milwaukee be sure to tell him what you're going through. He may be able to give you some direction. They shouldn't want you to start something prematurely because that wouldn't do anyone any good.
God bless!
If you do decide to contact the vocation director in Milwaukee be sure to tell him what you're going through. He may be able to give you some direction. They shouldn't want you to start something prematurely because that wouldn't do anyone any good.
God bless!
Seems to me that if you were supposed to be a priest, you would've been more animated in seminary. Your mediocrity is showing that you're possibly not called.
Please get one-on-one with that girl and be honest with her! The way you're reacting to her leaving is a large enough flag. I think she's wanting to "be a good Catholic" and that's why she's encouraging you to be a priest.
And if she's so sure you're supposed to be a priest, ask her which seminary.
PM me if you need to. I've been married over 17 years now, and know "both sides of the fence."
Blessings,
Gemma
Please get one-on-one with that girl and be honest with her! The way you're reacting to her leaving is a large enough flag. I think she's wanting to "be a good Catholic" and that's why she's encouraging you to be a priest.
And if she's so sure you're supposed to be a priest, ask her which seminary.
PM me if you need to. I've been married over 17 years now, and know "both sides of the fence."
Blessings,
Gemma
I think the problem is most men today enter the seminary to discern, not neccessarily knowing if they really do want to be a priest/have the calling.
I'm going to talk to you as a Mom.
Stop.
Now.
You are bouncing around like a ping pong ball and driving yourself batty. Got to college. Enjoy yourself. Date, have fun, study hard and graduate. If God wants you in the seminary after all of that, you'll go. If not, then perhaps that "perfect" girl your heart is falling for, may be looking your way quite often.
Edward, people will be proud of the man you become whether or not you are a priest. Just be the best man you know how.
~Mom talk over~
Mom above gave the very advice I was going to offer. Slow down. Enjoy this wonderful life that God has gifted with you. Become a man first, find out who the real Edward is. You are still very young, just take your time. Get an education, see the world, develop a good relationship with Jesus and have a social life. If it is meant that you will be a priest, you will eventually know this. You are rushing too much, trying to do too much all at once.
QUOTE(Mary-Kathryn @ Jan 28 2008, 06:13 PM) 
I'm going to talk to you as a Mom.
Stop.
Now.
You are bouncing around like a ping pong ball and driving yourself batty. Got to college. Enjoy yourself. Date, have fun, study hard and graduate. If God wants you in the seminary after all of that, you'll go. If not, then perhaps that "perfect" girl your heart is falling for, may be looking your way quite often.
Edward, people will be proud of the man you become whether or not you are a priest. Just be the best man you know how.
~Mom talk over~
Stop.
Now.
You are bouncing around like a ping pong ball and driving yourself batty. Got to college. Enjoy yourself. Date, have fun, study hard and graduate. If God wants you in the seminary after all of that, you'll go. If not, then perhaps that "perfect" girl your heart is falling for, may be looking your way quite often.
Edward, people will be proud of the man you become whether or not you are a priest. Just be the best man you know how.
~Mom talk over~
This mom says listen to that mom's advice. You are in God's hands no matter what.
QUOTE(Cathoholic Anonymous @ Jan 27 2008, 04:28 PM)
My advice is simply to slow down.
Don't worry if you feel as though your life has no direction. All that means is that you're unnerved by your lack of control, which is something that everybody feels. It's like climbing a staircase in the dark: you can't see where you're going and you've no idea where you'll end up, but you have to keep placing one foot in front of the other and trust that you'll get to the top someday.
In your other thread you wrote that your decision to leave the seminary was taken in conjunction with your superiors, which suggests that it probably was the best choice for you at the time. If you're enjoying your new courses, throw yourself heart and soul into those - God makes Himself known to us through the things that we enjoy and find enriching, not through hours of endless agonising and soul-searching. No one but God knows where you will be a few years from now, so don't worry about that. Just focus on where you already are. If you were to die tonight, the important thing would be how you spent today, not how (or even whether) you planned for tomorrow.
Also, don't feel as though you have to work on becoming the person whom you once were. We all change throughout our lives. There's no use in going back. You may feel uncomfortable with yourself as you are now, but the best thing is to live with that discomfort, offer it to God, and let Him work with it. Times of transformation and change usually do cause worry and heartache - the important thing is to realise the blessings that these difficulties can bring, not to start planning how you will get yourself settled again.
God bless. I will pray for you.
Don't worry if you feel as though your life has no direction. All that means is that you're unnerved by your lack of control, which is something that everybody feels. It's like climbing a staircase in the dark: you can't see where you're going and you've no idea where you'll end up, but you have to keep placing one foot in front of the other and trust that you'll get to the top someday.
In your other thread you wrote that your decision to leave the seminary was taken in conjunction with your superiors, which suggests that it probably was the best choice for you at the time. If you're enjoying your new courses, throw yourself heart and soul into those - God makes Himself known to us through the things that we enjoy and find enriching, not through hours of endless agonising and soul-searching. No one but God knows where you will be a few years from now, so don't worry about that. Just focus on where you already are. If you were to die tonight, the important thing would be how you spent today, not how (or even whether) you planned for tomorrow.
Also, don't feel as though you have to work on becoming the person whom you once were. We all change throughout our lives. There's no use in going back. You may feel uncomfortable with yourself as you are now, but the best thing is to live with that discomfort, offer it to God, and let Him work with it. Times of transformation and change usually do cause worry and heartache - the important thing is to realise the blessings that these difficulties can bring, not to start planning how you will get yourself settled again.
God bless. I will pray for you.
very good advice.
QUOTE(Mary-Kathryn @ Jan 28 2008, 07:13 PM)
I'm going to talk to you as a Mom.
Stop.
Now.
You are bouncing around like a ping pong ball and driving yourself batty. Got to college. Enjoy yourself. Date, have fun, study hard and graduate. If God wants you in the seminary after all of that, you'll go. If not, then perhaps that "perfect" girl your heart is falling for, may be looking your way quite often.
Edward, people will be proud of the man you become whether or not you are a priest. Just be the best man you know how.
~Mom talk over~
Stop.
Now.
You are bouncing around like a ping pong ball and driving yourself batty. Got to college. Enjoy yourself. Date, have fun, study hard and graduate. If God wants you in the seminary after all of that, you'll go. If not, then perhaps that "perfect" girl your heart is falling for, may be looking your way quite often.
Edward, people will be proud of the man you become whether or not you are a priest. Just be the best man you know how.
~Mom talk over~
ditto
Eddie,
I have had several friends enter the seminary and ended up leaving the seminary. In a few of these cases it seemed as if their whole life had crumbled beneath them when they left leaving them hurt, alone and wandering for some time. In other cases, God was able to show them what He wanted and the grace to move on with those plans. Although I never entered the seminary, I thought that I had a religious vocation for several years (during high school to early young adult life) and it was very, very difficult for me to accept His plan for me (marriage) and make that change. You may indeed be called to religious life, but you have to learn what these other posters are advising...patience (with God and yourself) and trust.
God knows your heart. He knows your desires. He knows that you want to do His will. He loves you. He wants you to be happy. Of course then He will inspire you with the desires to do that which most pleases Him. But you have to realize that right now you are not sure what He (or you for that matter) really wants with your life and secondly, that you don't need to know right now. Slow down. It used to frustrate and confuse me so much to always be thinking about the priesthood. "I have to be a priest. I want to be a priest. Lord, show me where. Which order? What kind of priest? Can I be a diocesan priest? Show me your will" One time I was in adoration and I felt like He told me something..."Nick, My will for you right now is that you don't worry about My will for you later" Live in the present moment Eddie. Pray. Enjoy your waiting time. If you meet someone you like, date. Have fun. But let Jesus form you however He wants. Don't be afraid to accept whatever you are feeling right now.
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