Hello all
I have been discerning a call to the Priesthood for many years now. I have been though it all from deep deep depression over the reactions people gave me from my decision and my own reluctance to understand that I was being called, to utter joy in bringing people closer to the Lord and as well as becoming closer to Him also becoming a better person myself. I know that I am not the only one that has gone though this, in the society that we live in now where "I am first before anybody and screw the rest" reigns supreme. In my discernment I have talked with many people of all religions and religious backgrounds (or lack thereof) from Imams to rabbis to priests and religious I have even talked with people who did a stint in seminary only to find out years from then the Priesthood was not for them. I have finally come to a conclusion and you who are reading this is more then welcomed to disagree or not. The holy priesthood needs a makeover, thanks to people who made horrible and life changing mistakes the Catholic Church is being seen in the lowest regard in the eyes of many people. The city of San Francisco is attempting to ban the Catholic church due to our views on homosexuality when without the Catholic church the city would not stand today!. We must bring people to show the true light that is the Priesthood its not a job, it does not make you into a God but rather it brings you to a duty that few on this earth could possible deal with. Administering the sacraments to the body of the church is not something to be taken lightly and that most certainly does not need a "makeover" We need to understand that what needs a makeover is our attitude towards the Priesthood and the church.

Peace and All blessings
Mauro

I think that the priesthood - as well as consecrated life - is in the process of a "makeover." The new surge of vocations and really dedicated young people who are willing to give their all for Christ, to be in His service, seems to be a result of the call to a "New Evangelization" by our beloved John Paul II. The "JPII generation" is longing for the tradition that it never saw because of the changes [and ramifications] that followed Vatican II and is bringing it back, inspired to "not be afraid!" Because he was willing to reach out into all cultures and societies and spread the Gospels, his work was fruitful; he did what Jesus did thousands of years ago. The overwhelming majority of people were and still are very unwilling to step outside their comfort zones to help others, and even less willing to go out to the missions to talk about God. I really like what Paul VI said on the matter: "The pope is becoming a missionary, you will say. Yes, the pope is becoming a missionary, which means a witness, a shepherd, an apostle on the move." Now we have these awesome World Youth Days that show us and the world that our papa is a missionary, a witness, a shepherd, an apostle on the move, that really does care and really is leading us and giving us an example - as our "sweet Christ on earth" - of how we can be Christ to others. Humans are meant to look up to someone, to something, for guidance. Right now, Pope Benedict XVI is serving that physical role for us as a means of showing us the way to Christ. If we Catholics could all unite - if we could all be catholic by definition - and follow the Holy Father, things would be as they should and are intended to be. I think the "makeover" that the Church is undergoing is an internal one, a unification of the faithful under the pope, and the pope standing up to take on the responsibility of helping unite us all under him, so that through him, we may find Christ together.

-- Forgive any errors in typing or grammar; I'm not always my sharpest at 4 AM, though that's when I get ambitious, oddly enough --

God bless you, and you are in my prayers; please keep me in yours, too!

I think that the priesthood - as well as consecrated life - is in the process of a "makeover." The new surge of vocations and really dedicated young people who are willing to give their all for Christ, to be in His service, seems to be a result of the call to a "New Evangelization" by our beloved John Paul II. The "JPII generation" is longing for the tradition that it never saw because of the changes [and ramifications] that followed Vatican II and is bringing it back, inspired to "not be afraid!" Because he was willing to reach out into all cultures and societies and spread the Gospels, his work was fruitful; he did what Jesus did thousands of years ago. The overwhelming majority of people were and still are very unwilling to step outside their comfort zones to help others, and even less willing to go out to the missions to talk about God. I really like what Paul VI said on the matter: "The pope is becoming a missionary, you will say. Yes, the pope is becoming a missionary, which means a witness, a shepherd, an apostle on the move." Now we have these awesome World Youth Days that show us and the world that our papa is a missionary, a witness, a shepherd, an apostle on the move, that really does care and really is leading us and giving us an example - as our "sweet Christ on earth" - of how we can be Christ to others. Humans are meant to look up to someone, to something, for guidance. Right now, Pope Benedict XVI is serving that physical role for us as a means of showing us the way to Christ. If we Catholics could all unite - if we could all be catholic by definition - and follow the Holy Father, things would be as they should and are intended to be. I think the "makeover" that the Church is undergoing is an internal one, a unification of the faithful under the pope, and the pope standing up to take on the responsibility of helping unite us all under him, so that through him, we may find Christ together.

-- Forgive any errors in typing or grammar; I'm not always my sharpest at 4 AM, though that's when I get ambitious, oddly enough ;-) --

God bless you, and you are in my prayers; please keep me in yours, too!

DominicanPhilosophy, I have to say that your post was amazing and I couldn't agree more. We need more men and women who are willing to give of themselves completely to Christ, so as to serve the Church, and here I'm meaning the people of the Church, to bring them all to Christ. Everything we do should be for the greater glory of God, and I really have a feeling that our generation is going to bring about many of the needed changes. "Do not be afraid! Open your hearts to Christ!" Pope John Paul the Great is an amazing inspiration, and Pope Benedict XVI is doing an amazing job following him, and I'm sure it takes a lot to follow in the footsteps of so great a man, who not only rejuvinated the Church, but the entire world! If we young men who are discerning God's Call to the priesthood need a priestly example, JPII fits that description. A great man, a great priest, a great sheperd, a great sheep. It's a tough life to live, but with God all things are possible. As hard as it is, every one of us, whether we are called to the priesthood, religious life, married life, or single life, we are all called to live our lives so, "That in all things God may be glorified." (Rule of St. Benedict Chapter 57) Yes, it's tough, but God didn't call us to be strong on our own. No, we must be weak, so that our strength comes from Christ, and it is then, only then, that we shall be truly strong. When we can say with St. Paul, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me," then will we be living as Christ wants us to live. Then shall our lives be changed, and only then will we be able to change the lives of others. But we also need to keep in mind that it is not always these big changes that have the most profound effects. No, as in Isaiah (I think), God was not in the gale or the fire or the flood. No, God was found in the soft breeze that blew by the mountain, barely discernable. We need to remember that while we're looking for the big BANG moments that God can bring, more often that not, He's working silently from the inside out, until before we know it the big BANG moment never appeared, but we are changed more than we could have ever imagined. Because God works that way. His ways are so crooked that they are straight. He allows the weak to beat the strong, the fools to shame the wise: the children to be the example of how to live our lives for His greater glory.