Priesthood Or Religouse Life

[Aloysius]

let me clarify, because I know where Leah's coming from and agree to an extent:

a person shouldn't enter into the priesthood or religious life immature. however: to become mature one does not necessarily have to date various girls. one needs to interact with friends and family and take their guidance and advice about it, they should prayerfully discern what their vocation is. One should not come to an absolute assurance that they are to be a priest at a young age and not look into anything else. looking into the possibility of the marriage vocation doesn't mean they should DATE though. I have come to the opinion that having various dating relationships does more to HURT a person than it does to help them mature. Prayerfully considering girls as possible future wives is not wrong of a person who is also discerning a religious vocation: but they should prayerfully discern between the two possibilities and not date unless they have come to the conclusion that they are called to the married vocation. People with a call to Religious Vocations often loose their call by allowing themselves to be distracted with the emotions and feelings of dating. They would not loose their vocation if they just practiced a lil prudence and that and prayed about whether they might be called to the married vocation as opposed to tried it out to see. Pray to God about it and He'll lead you to the path he wants you to follow, don't jump into dating unless He is leading you into the path that leads to the married life just like you wouldn't jump into seminary unless He is leading you into the path that leads to the religious life.

hope that helps clarify

Pax

[MorphRC]

[quote name='hopeful1' date='Aug 10 2004, 09:21 AM'] anyway to christianize it then? [/quote]
Ok Firstly. It isnt like a temple that can be turned into a Church. Its a technique that helps you control your mind. You cant christinize a mind technique. The whole point of it, is to clear your mind, control your thoughts etc. This means no prayers, not thinking of saints lives etc. Cause that is what your fighting against, constant thought.

[MorphRC]

When you start it, its iritating coz you have a untrained mind, but after awhile you begin to relax, and then at the end of it, its like ..how can I put this, after completing a big task, and ur done, u feel totally calm and relaxed.

[God Conquers]

Al,

Thanks for some clarification. But it IS possible to lose God's grace. Sin separates us from grace. Just as it can separate us from a calling from God.

If you ignore a call to religious life and then get married, you HAVE lost a vocation. You have taken up a different one, and hopefully will live it out to it's fullest, however it's not God's original plan for you.

It is ridiculous to date while discerning the priesthood or religious life period.
If you are not discerning one of those things, then date to discern marriage.

[hopeful1]

interesting morph. obviously, i didn't know a whole lot about it, i just said that b/c when i read someone elses reply i thought it sounded like they had issues with it b/c it was buddist ( i really don't care either way) so i was asking it more for their benifit. But it sounds cool, you could use it to clear your mind before you pray, as well as a bunch of other stuff

[franciscanheart]

you cant control your mind....

urg i cant find the book but the idea behind it was that you cant control it....


thats like telling yourself not to go to the zoo and not think about animals
its like saying dont think of a hippo and then not thinking of a hippo
you cant control where you mind goes

things happen

[MorphRC]

[quote name='hopeful1' date='Aug 11 2004, 07:37 AM'] interesting morph. obviously, i didn't know a whole lot about it, i just said that b/c when i read someone elses reply i thought it sounded like they had issues with it b/c it was buddist ( i really don't care either way) so i was asking it more for their benifit. But it sounds cool, you could use it to clear your mind before you pray, as well as a bunch of other stuff [/quote]
Yep True. Make your prayer much clearer and maybe even better, since you wont have thoughts shooting thru ur head as you pray. Id say it would work brilliant with the rosary, which is such a long prayer-type.

[MorphRC]

[quote name='hugheyforlife' date='Aug 11 2004, 09:42 AM'] you cant control your mind....

urg i cant find the book but the idea behind it was that you cant control it....


thats like telling yourself not to go to the zoo and not think about animals
its like saying dont think of a hippo and then not thinking of a hippo
you cant control where you mind goes

things happen [/quote]
Laura. Just read up on it. Plz

[God Conquers]

Hey guys, maybe make a thread on the debate table about mind control, this may not be the best place in the phorum for that discussion.

[MorphRC]

I didnt want to debate, plus im finished on that topic of mind control for now, i didnt expect this to happen.

[Piccoli Fiori JMJ]

mind control makes me think of hypnotism... you know in the cheesy movies where the bad guy hypnotized everyone to do his bad stuff and the hero doesn't get why his good friends have suddenly turned evil...

[hopeful1]

back to the topic at hand please.

[MorphRC]

[quote name='FutureNunJMJ' date='Aug 12 2004, 01:47 AM'] mind control makes me think of hypnotism... you know in the cheesy movies where the bad guy hypnotized everyone to do his bad stuff and the hero doesn't get why his good friends have suddenly turned evil... [/quote]
I cant remember exactly what they call it..lol.

[MarieCecilia]

I personally don't think that dating is a good thing unless you are sure the vocation God meant for you is marriage. I think that if you do have a vocation to the priesthood or religous life you could confuse that by your feelings for some one. I know that even if you are good friends with someone but there is something else there that can confuse your vocation. Especially if you person you are dating is special to you. I don't think it is a good idea because sometimes we tend to follow our emotions and not God's will.

Edited August 17, 2004 by MarieCecilia

[God Conquers]

Amen

[cathoholic]

yeah!

[ForHimAlone]

Everything has to be taken to prayer. If you're discerning a vocation to the priesthood or religious life, I would really recommend stearing clear of dating relationships. I've been in serious discernment for awhile, and the more I avoid dating situations, the more freedom I feel. It allows you to offer God a whole and undivided heart with which to hear His voice.

[J.R.D]

Dating for me is bad i dont know why it just never works out ... so i figured i was called more to something else ..... than i went on this retreat and i was like this is it religious life i want to marry the church and my the only girl i want in my life is MARY

[Spiritual_Arsonist]

I know there is a lot being said on dating for those with a vocation to the religous life and/or priesthood. You MUST have the guidance of a priest or spiritual director. Blanket statements such as "dating is never a good thing while discerning" is not a good idea. You must go beyond yourself and seek direction. Everyone is not going to be the same. Prayer and communication are key factors.

[J.R.D]

Yes well put u do need a spiritual director mine is a Franciscan preist in New Mexico and hes the best ever ..... but all in seriousness u do need one... good thinking Spiritual_Arsonist