pax Posted June 5, 2004 Posted June 5, 2004 Hi, I'm new to the boards, but have been kind of a "lurker" for quite some time. I think I may be called to the priesthood and may possibly want to enter Seminary after High School (I'm 17 yrs old and going to be a senior in HS next year). The problem is I have yet to inform my parents about my possible vocation. My dad isn't Catholic, but my mom is and I'm not sure how well they'll take the news that I may be interested in the priesthood. Does anyone have any advice, etc.... Also, for those of you already in seminary how did your extended families take the decision? Glory to Jesus Christ! Pax
ThyWillBeDone Posted June 5, 2004 Posted June 5, 2004 Hi, I just finished my freshman year of college and am entering the seminary in September. When I first told me parents they weren't very supportive. They had my best intrest in mind and were worried I was making a decision to soon. By the time I decided I should enter the seminary to further discern my vocation it was to late to enter that year so I went to college for a year, and worked on discerning while there. But anyway I realize that is not answering you question. Concerning your question I will tell you what someone told me when I first told my parents and they were not supportive. If it is truelly your call your parents will see that eventually (mine do now). You have to have faith that God will let them know that it is your calling. Mary was told that she was chosen to be the mother of Jesus before Joseph was told, he considered leaving her, but then God steped in and filled him in on the plan. God will step in and inform you parents, when it is necessary so have faith, trust in God, and seek to follow his will. I will keep you in my prayers. God Bless, Chris
sista2b Posted June 6, 2004 Posted June 6, 2004 pray. thats the best advice i can give. my mom isn't too happy i'm actually entering but dad is cool with it now. Hey and at least she talks about it now. I think they might come around but at the same time remember they want what they think is best for you. sometimes that come out in bad ways, but they do. Don't be alarmed when your mom cries they all do even if they are supportive of it.
Guest JeffCR07 Posted June 6, 2004 Posted June 6, 2004 I think the best advice/testimony that can be given was summed up by Chris (btw, have an awesome time at Sem. - we'll miss you!). Just allow the Spirit to work in your life. Trust that God will call you, and as long as you are willing to hear him, there is nothing in the world that can stand in your way. Be open, trust in Him, and pray unceasingly. - Your Brother in Christ, Jeff
Spiritual_Arsonist Posted June 7, 2004 Posted June 7, 2004 I have a lot of experience in this area. Just sit them down and be honest. You cannot do any better than that.
DojoGrant Posted June 7, 2004 Posted June 7, 2004 My parents are both against it, my father more so than my mother, because neither of them are Catholic. They're pretty much cutting me off financially when I go to seminary, so I'll be on my own. We're with you, brother.
daugher-of-Mary Posted June 7, 2004 Posted June 7, 2004 My parents just about fell out of their seats when I talked to them, but they've been very supportive. Just pray hard about it, be honest, and trust God to take care of it. One of my best friends entered religious life this past summer...her mother was very opposed to her entrance, but now that her daughter has entered, she is warming up to the idea much more. The same friend always used to tell me "Where there's God's Will, there's a way!"
VeraMaria Posted June 8, 2004 Posted June 8, 2004 If I feel I am really called to a religious vocation when I'm older, my parents would lock me in my room and never ever let me out. I'm not joking. It's so far from what they can imagine...I don't even want to think about the reaction Sigh...well, there's still time...
JuCa Posted June 8, 2004 Posted June 8, 2004 i've had trouble... my parents called it stupid basically... whats the point of being closed up? they don't understand... God will take care of it all... Just put your full trust in Him
zwergel88 Posted June 9, 2004 Posted June 9, 2004 my parents also are not at all supportive. I haven't said anything to my Dad because "agnostic" and he would freak out. My Mom knows that someday I would like to be a sister. I was so sad today when my Mom said that she thought that there was somethink "un-natural" about nuns, and she said that the nuns who taught her in school were "evil". I just stared at her and didn't really say anythink. I was kinda shocked. So it looks like we all pretty much have unsupportive parents, so good luck to the rest of you guys!
Carnanc Posted June 9, 2004 Posted June 9, 2004 I'm not sure how I told my parents about it. I just kept being uncertain to them what I was thinking of doing after highschool. Eventually after going on some retreats, I decided I should discern priesthood. I am a junior in high-school now and my parents a really quite supportive.
Pontifex Posted June 10, 2004 Posted June 10, 2004 I was blessed with parents that supported me during seminary, but my extended family was freaked out. We were the only Catholics in the family, my immediate family that is, and so on days when all the family was supposed to be there it was just my Mom and Dad. I worried about that alot with ordination. Will anyone come? Because some guys had huge families. But God provided all that I needed. I never felt neglected. In fact I was held up by my brothers and sisters in Christ, which is a deeper bond than a biological bond. God has blessed me with extended family that is enormous. Don't worry, you can't out give God. It is impossible. Fr. Pontifex
dUSt Posted June 10, 2004 Posted June 10, 2004 This is really suprising to me. All these parents being non-supportive. That's so crazy. As a parent myself (and specifically, a dad), it would be a DREAM if my daughter decided to be a nun. haha... No boyfriends to worry about. I would also love it if my son would someday be a priest. I plan on gently encouraging both of my children to enter the religious life--and hopefully, they'll hear the calling.
Pio Nono Posted June 10, 2004 Posted June 10, 2004 JMJ 6/10 - Tenth Thursday My parents were nothing but supportive of my decision to enter seminary. The weird thing was with my extended family. My father's family (who are all Methodists) just loved the idea that I was going to be a priest, and they still do. My mother's family (who are all Catholics) absolutely hated the idea, and still do to some extent. Things get weird when one talks about the life of the cloth.
pax Posted June 11, 2004 Author Posted June 11, 2004 Thanks for alll the replies, I really appreciate the advice!
Crusader_4 Posted June 15, 2004 Posted June 15, 2004 My family would hate the idea (slowly working on it as it may be my calling still discerning it). Ask for the intercession of St. Thomas of Aquinas. I always look to his story for hope in this regard. I think he wanted to become a dominican (could be wrong) and his mom hated the idea so he was literally locked in his castle in a room. His brothers even tried sending a hooker to remove his chastity but he held firm ground and eventually his family came around to the idea if you get a chance read the story about him somehwere...awesome story. Besides look at how important he became to the Church .
Pio Nono Posted June 15, 2004 Posted June 15, 2004 JMJ 6/15 - Eleventh Tuesday Thomas' story is really cool; his family wasn't against his vocation to the religious life as they were against his being a Dominican. They wanted him to be the Benedictine abbot of Monte Cassino; in fact, they had bartered with the monks to let him wear a Dominican habit while being a Benedictine monk! But he held ground, glory be to God, and instead of transcribing Aristotle he "baptized" Aristotle.
daugher-of-Mary Posted June 15, 2004 Posted June 15, 2004 If I recall the story correctly, St. Thomas went after the woman his brothers sent with a burning log he pulled out from the fireplace.
sista2b Posted June 15, 2004 Posted June 15, 2004 ...maybe i need to ask more intercession from St. Thomas when i talk about entering the Dominicans everyone says "but the Benedictines are so much closer"
FaustinaVianney Posted June 16, 2004 Posted June 16, 2004 Sista2b~ that's funny because everyone I tell say 'at least it's not those Benedictines.' hehe My parents have yet to accept that I am even Catholic, but I have at least a year before I will be able to enter the convent, so I have a little bit of time to tell them. I haven't been supported by my parents in anything I did, so whether or not they accept my Rel Life vocation will not matter to me. The only thing I worry about is being true to God and what He calls me to do in this life. I have other Catholic friends that lift me up in prayer, so I have no worries. It would be nice to have the support of my parents, but God gave me too much strength to stand beside Him instead of my parents. Don't expect a crown of gold when God received a crown of thorns...
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