I've always wondered about those who have become a priest. How does one know that they are called to become a priest?

If not a priest,then a deacon or a minister,pastor, reverend... Or, even a nun?

How can a person know?

rod

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), April 15, 2003

Answers

Rod, Here is a vocations site that may be helpful. http://www.vocations.com/ God Bless,

-- john placette (jplacette@catholic.org), April 15, 2003.

Thanks John.

...lots of info on that site.

rod

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), April 15, 2003.

A long time ago I asked a wise priest for some direction in seeking my vocation. I also asked him what I should do if I thought God was calling me to something I really didn't want to do. Half-joking, I said "suppose He wants to send me off to a leper colony as a missionary?". He responded, "if that is the vocation God calls you to, and if you are open to His will, He will gradually transform your heart and your mind, until you come to a place where you cannot feel real peace or joy or fulfillment anywhere on earth except in that leper colony". God didn't call me to that particular ministry; but I have found the words of that priest (my high school guidance counselor) to be very wise and absolutely true. If we are open to God's guidance, he will reveal His perfect will for our lives, not by forcing us to go here or there, kicking and screaming, but by creating in us a hunger to go where he knows we can best fulfill His purpose for our lives. It's a process; it doesn't happen overnight. Sometimes we may feel that God is asking us "are you willing to do this for Me?", and our honest response has to be "no, I am not willing to do that". Rather than rejecting us and looking for someone else, or telling us "tough luck kid, you're going", He comes back to us and gently asks "are you willing to be made willing?". If we can answer "yes, Lord" to that question, we are well on our way.

-- Paul (PaulCyp@cox.net), April 15, 2003.

Hi Paul.

Yes. To me, that sounds like a genuine surrender to God's will. I've imagined it to an overwhelming feeling of doing what is right without any doubts. At least, this feeling entertained my thinking back then when I was 16 years old. Of course, I'm not in my youth anymore and time has changed me considerably.

I heard a pastor(?) say that in order for one to become a pastor(or a priest) one has to have tremendous love for people. I think this requirement would be extememly difficult to assume. People can be "one way streets" and prove difficult to deal with.

The late Fr. Leo was an important figure in my youth. I wanted to be like him. Yet, I noticed that even in his strength and compassion he seemed down. I imagined tremendous pressures on him. His handshakes were fierce to the point of being painful. I now understand his message after all of these years. Life can be tough, but be strong.

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), April 15, 2003.

Paul - You have wonderfully put into words so many people's thoughts adn desires. Very very well done.

-- jean bouchard (jeanb@cwk.imag.net), April 15, 2003.

Paul, I have never heard anything about vocations stated better. Wonderful, simply wonderful! God Bless,

-- john placette (jplacette@catholic.org), April 15, 2003.

Wow - let me jump on this bandwagon Paul. Well said. I'd take it one step further and say this has implications beyond vocations, the subject at hand.

-- Bob M (itsallgood777@hotmail.com), April 16, 2003.

Paul, I was just browsing this forum because I had some Q's about a priestly vocation for myself and your statement helped ME out alot. May I ask what it is you do for a living, I mean what vocation has God called you to do? And to Rod, good luck in finding what ever it is that God wants you to look for.

-- Phil (pv1joslin@yahoo.com), August 15, 2003.

This is a happy series of posts! And I should say, words of wisdom. I am now, technically, going into my fourth year of formation.

Honestly, many, many vocation stories I have heard from priests follow Paul's pattern. "Resistance is futile!" But we goofy people usually try anyway.

Some very good priests I know have said that their first hints were practical and external; one told me he felt like God had blessed him and he knew no better way to return the blessing; another told me that he felt it was just something he'd "be good at." A third repeated the terribly crass "My hands were made for chalices, not calluses."

I probably fall in closer with this group of simple types. Certainly, I've had my share of intensely emotional experiences of Christ in High School - but the priesthood as the only thing in the world I could be happy as? Nope, probably didn't feel that until around the middle of last year.

Of course, the world around us is a text to be read; God finds other ways of speaking to us besides subjective metaphysical impulses and invisible forces. Sometimes, when some physical human being asks, "Have you ever thought about becomming a priest?" THAT'S IT! Sometimes, when you read the Letter to Timothy about bishops and something resonates in you, THAT'S IT.

I think it can even be as simple as "Maybe it'd be something I'd be good at." Of course, with spiritual growth, the reason itself changes. I think I've found several different "angles" from which God has called me.

The only reason I have anything to add to Paul's good post is that I know that the inner experience of a calling can be mysterious, and it can happen that people get obsessed with a false 'inner call' which subsequently ruins them. Gods sends us many signs--let us not be afraid to expand our attention beyond our inner motions and desires.

With care,

-- Skoobouy (skoobouy@hotmail.com), August 15, 2003.

Hi.

I was fairly confident that Paul would reply and I am thankful.

It took some time and it happened. Skoobouy's reply was the one I was after.

Skoobouy, you are the one who has freshly entered through the door. Thanks for your reply.

Paul and Skoobouy are fine examples and this forum is fortunate to have them here.

rod..

..

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), August 15, 2003.