Future Priest Support Group

[the_rev]

Hey,

This is long overdue. There has been a future nun support group for so long, we need one for future priests.

This is a place where we can come and rant about the criticism we get at school for being religious, or a place to come and share about updates in your journey.

[quote]For the times when things get hard and you want to talk to people in the same boat
Just thought I'd leave it here for your needs!
[/quote]

Let the happy talk begin!

[Antonius]

How hard is it for you to pray before meals? When you're in the dorm, when you're with friends, when you're out to eat, when you're on a date, and even when you're with family.

It's mostly easy for me, except on some occasions when I'm out with friends. I don't like praying before meals if my family is present, my parents especially, and they don't pray.

I have this weird thing, I don't want to appear to be upping them up somehow, or look too much like I'm going to be a priest.

[Paphnutius]

Such occasions are an opportunity for you to show others who have similiar feelings not to be afraid. It is a really catchy thing to do. Once people see a few doing it, it becomes easier for them. Keep doing it.

And to answer your question: Here at the seminary you get bad looks if you dont pray before meals so it has become second nature to do it anywhere regardless of place or company.

[Paphnutius]

Double post, sorry.

Edited May 4, 2005 by Paphnutius

[Antonius]

Hmm... You're right.

I guess I just have a bigger problem trying not to appear too religious in front of my parents. I don't know why, but I try to keep from them any personal details about my spiritual life. Not sure why... Does anyone have the same problem?

I think it might be how everyone has always said that I would be a priest and I just try to act like I am not on the straight track, especially in front of my parents. I don't know...

Either way, I'm only a freshman in college. Right now I'm called to be the best college student and son I can be, right? I was advised that around junior or senior year I should start seriously thinking about vocation to the priesthood.

I mean, not to say I'm not seriously thinking about it now, it's just that we have to be careful that we aren't living in the future, wondering and worrying about what we'll do later in life. We have to live in the present, because, God forbid, if we get cancer or die in a couple months, it's not about what we wanted to be but who we were then. Not that we should care what other people think, but, we have to be present.

Edited May 4, 2005 by Antonius

[Paphnutius]

[quote name='Antonius' date='May 3 2005, 10:00 PM'] I think it might be how everyone has always said that I would be a priest and I just try to act like I am not on the straight track, especially in front of my parents. I don't know...
[/quote]
Ok let me let you in on a very big help that one of my good friends told me: Just be you. God made you who you are, and you should not have to change that for anyone. If you are spiritual and pious let it shine! Was it St. Francis that said, "Always preach the Gospel, and when necessary, use words." If your parents ask you about your spiritual life, it gives you a chance to bring them closer to Christ. That is what you will be doing if you, God willing, become a priest someday. Be a bridge for others to Christ.

[quote] Not sure why...  Does anyone have the same problem?[/quote]

I know of many that share that same question. I think it is because spirituality is often something so personal at first, but as it grows, it becomes something that you cannot contain within yourself but will want to share it with all you meet. Give your faith time to mature and grow, and when the time is right, things will happen.

[quote]Either way, I'm only a freshman in college. [/quote]

And I am a sophomore in college. There is no, "I am only a..." You are and be proud of it. When I wrote my bishop to start talking about seminary, I said I am only 17, and he said that same thing.

[quote]I was advised that around junior or senior year I should start seriously thinking about vocation to the priesthood.[/quote]

Continue to watch and pray. That is what is asked of us. Watch and pray.

[Antonius]

Wow, very true, very true, Paph. Thanks.

I hope this thread continues to be useful.

Watch and pray, watch and pray... Yes, yes!

Also, we must remember that in the Gospels, Jesus often told people to go somewhere and wait. You know? Go into town and wait. Go into the upper room and wait. The angel told Joseph to go into Egypt and wait.

I will patiently and prayerfully wait... Though I do think He's told me to go to college and wait. "Wait" doesn't mean sit around. We need to make sure we have enough oil in our lamps, right?

[Paphnutius]

[quote name='Antonius' date='May 3 2005, 10:25 PM'] I will patiently and prayerfully wait... Though I do think He's told me to go to college and wait. "Wait" doesn't mean sit around. We need to make sure we have enough oil in our lamps, right? [/quote]
That is the plan. It has been brought up here many times before, but I always find it useful to reflect on Christ's "hidden" life. He waited almost 30 years for 3 years of ministry. God will often take us to the sidelines and coach us for a while before putting us into play, but when we get out on that field, what a difference we make! If Jesus was able to wait so long before He was able to go out and bring others closer to God, who are we to be impaitent? Wait, pray, but never take your eyes off of Him.

[D0RK4JP2]

My parents are convinced I'm going to get cronically ill when I join the religious life because the schedule is too hard for me. The thing is, I won't stay if my body can't handle it because GRACE BUILDS ON NATURE.

I have a pre-disposition to diabetes and I had it when I was a kid. I don't anymore but if I take on the lifestyle of a religious, which is harsh, then it might bring it back. EXCEPT if God wants me to join it doesn't matter if I get diabetes or not, because it may be the necessary suffering for me to carry out my vocation.

JMJ.

[Catholictothecore]

How do you guys feel when you think about vocations and also catch yourself thinking about girls?

I don't really get an oppurunity to show my faith to a lot of people. I'm kinda buried in the country, and besides, it's rather anti-Catholic here. sigh.

[Paphnutius]

[quote name='Catholictothecore' date='May 16 2005, 03:42 PM'] How do you guys feel when you think about vocations and also catch yourself thinking about girls?
[/quote]
Can you be a little more specific? Are you asking if expereince a conflict? Feel guilty? Something else?

[Catholictothecore]

Like, when I catch myself thinking of girls, it's like...I feel guilty, yes. It's hard, every guy knows that. I mean, do you feel the guilt of any sin of thought (going out on a limb here) a little more accutely because of the vocation you may have? I know I do....I've struggled with girls before, and I still sometimes catch myself thinking of her. I feel like an absolute......jerk-heel-many, many, many other bad names.

[Paphnutius]

[quote name='Catholictothecore' date='May 17 2005, 05:04 PM'] Like, when I catch myself thinking of girls, it's like...I feel guilty, yes. It's hard, every guy knows that. I mean, do you feel the guilt of any sin of thought (going out on a limb here) a little more accutely because of the vocation you may have? I know I do....I've struggled with girls before, and I still sometimes catch myself thinking of her. I feel like an absolute......jerk-heel-many, many, many other bad names. [/quote]
I dont thik that you should feel guilty because you are thinking about girls (unless of course it is lustful). What you should do is cultivate an interrior peace when thinking about your vocation. Pray often and always ask for the Holy Spirit's guidance in your thoughts. Pay attention to what you think about and where you feel like you are headed. It is not wrong to think about girls as long as it is within the context of, "Is marriage my vocation?" If you do feel guilty, ask yourself why and then discuss it with your pastor or your spiritual director.

[Catholictothecore]

my problem is that daydreaming has always been a big problem of mine. I think I've got a but more maturing to do before I can really think of that. It's like, I see my parents, and I can see how awesome their love is. A holy marriage is so....amazing. Read my first post in the marriage thread to get an idea.

[Paphnutius]

[quote name='Catholictothecore' date='May 17 2005, 06:26 PM'] my problem is that daydreaming has always been a big problem of mine. I think I've got a but more maturing to do before I can really think of that. It's like, I see my parents, and I can see how awesome their love is. A holy marriage is so....amazing. Read my first post in the marriage thread to get an idea. [/quote]
A bit of a personal question if you do not mind, but what grade are you in? If you are younger than a junior in high school then you do have some time to think about it. A good deal of time.

Yes a holy marriage is indeed an awesome thing, both between a man and a woman, and between a priest and his Church. Like I said, cultivate that interrior peace through prayer and listen to the promptings of the Spirit; He will guide you.

[MilesChristi]

Thanks for starting this thread, Eddie!

I'm sort of at an unsure place in my vocational discernment. At this time last year, I had the application for diocesan college seminary in my hand after being in contact with the vocations director for a couple years. Well, over the summer I spent a lot of time thinking things over and, in consultation with my spiritual director and my family, I decided heading into the seminary right out of high school wasn't the best path for me. I ended up not applying. This wasn't by any means an easy decision for me. From what I've experienced on discernment retreats and heard from my seminarian friends, the seminary life is awesome. All sorts of formation to help you toward holiness, daily Mass, living in the same building as Jesus, the Divine Office, and a house of brothers to support you in the spiritual life. I'd love to be there; however, I don't think it's God's Will for me at this point. I think the experience of living on my own out in the world for at least a few years, without parents or rectors, will help me to be a more well-rounded man and ultimately a better priest for the people of God, if He so wills it.

I first thought about becoming a priest when I was in third grade. I couldn't put my finger on why, but I thought priests were awesome. When I played in my basement, I used to put a blanket over my shoulders and pretend to say Mass on a small kid-sized table with a little cup and pieces of white bread. As I grew a bit older, I lost interest. I would still think about priesthood from time to time, but I always quickly pushed it aside. It wasn't until six years later, when I was in ninth grade, that things started to get serious. Thoughts of the priesthood started stirring in my head again, so I asked the Lord to give me some sort of sign so I could know if what I was feeling in my heart really meant anything. The next afternoon I was at adoration. I had been in prayer before the exposed Blessed Sacrament for about 30-40 minutes when a little girl wandered into the church. This was odd since usually a few old ladies, the deacon, and myself were the only ones who ever came to adoration. I don't know where this kid's parents were. She was about four or five years old. She climbed up to the pulpit and started ruffling pages of the Gospel. Then she climbed down and wandered onto the altar. Everyone was just watching her in silence; no one knew what to do. The deacon was about to get up when Father walked in through a side door. The girl noticed him and immediately ran toward him. He gave her a hug and gently took her, and they knelt down before the Blessed Sacrament. I could hear the priest explaining to her that this was Jesus. They talked there on the floor for a bit and prayed together. In ways I don't know how to really describe, I felt so strongly that Jesus was looking over at me during all this, as if He were saying, "Won't you do this for Me?" I was just stunned by it all. Honestly, I felt nervous as well. I kept it all to myself for a year. Even though I kept this all secret, people began coming up to me through the following year and telling me I'd make a good priest. Even people and priests I didn't know would approach me.

After a year, I contacted the vocations director and got involved with Project Andrew dinners, retreats, etc. When word got out that I was discerning the priesthood, things got interesting. People at school found out, and I was the butt of pedophile/homosexual priest jokes for months. This was at the height of the clergy scandal; priests weren't exactly popular. Luckily, through daily prayer, Jesus prepared me for this. I considered it a blessing and an honor to suffer some small share of disgrace and persecution for the sake of the Name and the thousands and thousands of good priests out in the world. Over the past couple years, the jokes have virtually ceased. I've been very moved by the way people who once mocked the priesthood have changed and now express respect for the vocation. I hope that in some way I was able to be an instrument of God's love to each of them.

At this point I'm not entirely sure if I'm headed toward diocesan or religious priesthood. I'm still very much in contact with my Archdiocese. I'm heading out for their annual summer retreat next month, and I plan to keep in touch throughout college. I'm going to be studying philosophy at Boston College this coming fall. I met with the vocations director a while ago so I would know what courses to take in the next few years in order to fulfill pre-theology requirements. At the same time, I'm also attracted to the Franciscan way of life. I've had some contact with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and I hope to visit with them some time next year. Their poverty and total commitment to Christ without any possessions inspires me. The brothers seem so joyful and devout. Additionally, I a have a great affection for the traditional Roman liturgy, or the Tridentine Mass as many call it. I've gradually begun attending the Tridentine Mass more frequently. I love how the liturgy emphasizes the sacrificial nature of the Mass. The holy silence which is such a key aspect of this liturgy really allows people to enter into a deep level of prayer alongside the priest. Everything, every little gesture, points toward the centrality of Christ. I have experienced such a state of communion and love among the faithful. This is achieved not by hand-holding, clapping for birthdays, or self-affirmation, but by knowing that we are there together as one body in Christ. I know that I want to give all my talents to Christ. At school I've been intensely studying Latin for the past six years. At this point I'm able to read and write Latin well. I've read Caesar, Cicero, Ovid, Catullus, and almost all of Virgil's "Aeneid" in the original Latin. I wonder if Christ might want to use my love for the traditional Mass and my aptitude for Latin to serve in one of the traditional orders. I've been in contact with the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, and I hope to become more familiar with their order over the next couple years.

So, my three main considerations at the moment...
diocesan priesthood
Franciscan Friars of the Renewal
Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest

I have much yet to discern. My strategy is pretty simple - since all I really want in life is to do God's Will, I'm putting it totally in His hands. I'm remaining open to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit. I'm doing my best to hold on to Jesus' pierced hand and let my Best Friend lead me where He wants me to go.

Mass, Confession, adoration, and the Rosary...These four things have done so much for me. I would definitely recommend them to everyone.

I'm sorry this was so long. I'd be glad to hear your thoughts and read everyone's "vocation story" so we can support each other in our journeys.

As soon as I wrap things up here, I'm going to go say the Rosary for each of you guys out there who are discerning and for our sisters in Christ on the Future Nun Support thread.

God bless!

[PadrePioOfPietrelcino]

I myself have been discerning the priesthood for about a year and a half, the interesting thing in my case is that I'veonly been Catholic for a year. So yes if you've been doing the math I've been discernng longer than I've been Catholic. I used to be involved in my last church as a "Youth Minister" in " ", becasue the church doesn't use any official titles, but that's what I did. Anyway I digress. I have a very diverse Protestant family, and Iwas expecting alot of regection from them when I became Catholic, let alone told them I was thinking about the Priesthood. The funny thing for me is that they are all very supportive, My entire family including one set of Grandparents (quick side note One Grandpa is retired S. Baptist Minister, and the other is retired Methodist Minister) attended my initiation into THE Chruch, and My mom decided to go to Midnight Mass and Easter Vigil this year with me. My family now will say a prayer when I visit and we go out to eat, which is something we always did at home, but never in public. I often meet Fallen away Catholics and Protestants who are actually overjoyed when they learn of my possible vocation. I guess I have two thought to end this post up.

1) As far as Antonius' thougths on not want to appear too much like "I'm going to be a priest" I had these thought for awhle myself, now I'm at a place where even if God does not call me to the ordained Priesthood; All the faithfull are priest in their own right and we all need to live our faith in a way that we can say I AM a priest.

2) Why do you suppose that I have recieved such positive support from the least likely places i.e. Protestants and Fallenaway Catholics?

[Paphnutius]

[quote name='PadrePioOfPietrelcino' date='May 24 2005, 07:59 PM'] 1) As far as Antonius' thougths on not want to appear too much like "I'm going to be a priest" I had these thought for awhle myself, now I'm at a place where even if God does not call me to the ordained Priesthood; All the faithfull are priest in their own right and we all need to live our faith in a way that we can say I AM a priest.
[/quote]
Well by virtue of our baptsim we share in the priestly office of Christ, along with the prophetic and kingly. We all share in the common priesthood, but not the ordained or ministerial priesthood. So yes, all the faithful share in the common priesthood.

[quote]2) Why do you suppose that I have recieved such positive support from the least likely places i.e. Protestants and Fallenaway Catholics?[/quote]

I think it is because people are always glad to see someone following Christ. People, despite the turmoil the Church has undergone, still recongize what a priest does for the faithful and the necessity of them. I bet you are happy when someone you know decides to go into ministry for their faith. Albeit it is not the fullness of truth or in full communion with the Church, but people realize that someone who wishes to seek out a ministry seek to do some good and they support that. If they do not praise the specific beliefs, they still find the intentions laudable.

Also as far as thinking about a call to the priesthood before you became Catholic. I know two, rather succesful, seminarians who converted about two years before they became a seminarian. I am not saying there is a connection, but it is feasible. Do not feel like you are not called because you are a new convert. Watch and pray, watch and pray.

[MilesChristi]

[quote]I myself have been discerning the priesthood for about a year and a half, the interesting thing in my case is that I'veonly been Catholic for a year. So yes if you've been doing the math I've been discernng longer than I've been Catholic. [/quote]

I also know a guy who felt called to the priesthood before he was even Catholic. He was in his early twenties and just out of college. As he was walking down the street one day, he saw an image of himself dressed in a Roman cassock. Shortly after, he investigated the Church and began the process of conversion. After a few years in the pews, he entered the seminary. He was ordained a priest for my archdiocese a couple years ago. He can often be seen wearing his cassock.

Prayers for you, PadrePio...

[jezic]

one note i would add is that you don't need to feel that you need to wait until college is over before checking out a vocation. (some require you to wait to enter, but you should start checking it out during high school if you even think there is a possibility)

Great thread rev.