Well, in the latter hours of this last of the Lenten Ember Days, I have now started to reconsider what vocation God may be calling me to. For awhile I now, I have limited myself to two options for my vocation, the married life, and the religious life. In regards to my desire for the married life, the main reason why I desired the married life is because I wanted children, I had a bad childhood and so, I wanted to have children whom I could have grow up in that happy childhood I never got. (This desire was actually the first step in my reversion back to the Faith, after falling away in my teen years.) However I also remember watching a video on vocations by Sensus Fidelium, in which the priest on that video said that the main duty of one in the married life, was to save the soul of their spouse, which I always found really inspiring. I've also been a bit interested in the religious life, mainly because my struggles with sexual sin attract me to things of the spirit. However I've always been skeptical of my attraction to the spiritual life, because whenever I think about it, I often end up viewing it in a sort of romanticized way-probably because I grew up on the west coast, and so I have that rather stereo-typical Buddhist monk image. In regards to the priesthood, I shied away from considering the priesthood mainly because of my scruples, I was frightened by the idea of having to shoulder such a huge responsibility as this. However, today I'm now opening myself up to the possibility that this may be my calling, and if it is, I'll trust in Our Lord's Grace and Merciful Love and do all I can live that vocation faithfully. My archdiocese's main seminary is hosting "Live-ins," where it allows people to stay two days at the seminary to see what life is like there. One of those "Live-ins" will be held in July, and I'm thinking of going then. Here's a description of "Live-ins:" Of course, if I do discover that my vocation is to the priesthood, I'd probably go to the Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Nebraska, or one of the Anglican Ordinariate seminaries. Anyways, I've now opened myself up to all vocations God may have in store for me, even single life-although that one still terrifies me. Right now I think God just wants to me to be open to all vocations and submit to His Will, saying "yes" as Our Lady said "yes."-today after all, is the beginning of the novena to the Feast of the Annunciation. Please keep my vocation in your prayers, pray especially that I don't think too much about, and focus instead more on doing all the things large and small that are needed for me, to be worthy of one of these vocations when the time comes. Thanks.
Will do RW. My oldest daughter has expressed interest in a religious vocation as well. I will keep you in my prayers, I know that God will guide you in this and the live in sounds like an excellent way to more deeply explore it. What an exciting opportunity to experience seminary life. God bless you.
This is just wonderful. I'm very happy for you, RosaryWielder. The Church needs abundant vocations today. Stay close to the Rosary and the Blessed Sacrament always and the Lord will give you all the grace you need for the Priesthood, or Religious Life, or anything else He calls you to do. Let it be all about saving and sanctifying souls. I will be praying for you.
I will be praying for you..when God calls you will know and it will feel right. God will never force you or create anxiety over this decision, though he may keep nudging you.
Prayers for your vocation R.W. may you be blessed with the the abundant grace to move in the direction that our Lord places before you.
I've been praying for your vocation for a while and will continue to do so. May the good Lord pick you up and put you exactly where you belong!
I would urge you to consider contacting Sr. Breige McKenna and ask her to pray for a 'word' to guide you in this most important decision. She was kind enough to respond to me personally with guidance in a much less important matter some years ago.
Prayers for yourself and your vocation. Ask yourself what you yourself would like to do in life in the first place and take it from there. The Good Lord does not force streams to run up mountains. Your own person inclinations are a good sign of where the Lord wants the river of your life to run.
I think Padraig has it right. First you have to recognize what gifts God gave you and learn how to use them to the fullest. Turn your will over to God and let him lead you, he will call you where he wants you.
The Great Double Novena to the Twin Hearts together is a great novena to make by all those considering or discerning a vocation. https://sites.google.com/site/doublegreatnovena/the-33-promises The Lord promised: "9. I will lead them to love prayer and suffering. They will learn to love God and their neighbors". "10. The sinners will be converted without difficulty, even though somebody else makes the Novena for them.11. The sinners will not fall back into their previous state. They will not only receive forgiveness for their sins, but also a perfect contrition and, through love, they will recover the innocence of their Baptism." "16. Many young will be called to religious life, including the priesthood.","18. Priests and religious will remain faithful to their vocation. The infidel will receive the grace of a sincere contrition and the possibility of returning to one's vocation.", "22. Fervent souls will experience the sweetness of prayer and sacrifice; they will never be tormented by anxiety or doubt.", "29. The priests will receive the grace of living in the presence of My Mother without effort.", " 31. The souls of those who make this Novena will be radiant as the white lilies all around the Heart of My Mother in eternity.""33. The souls of the priests will always progress in the Faith and virtue." so many special promises to Priests, Religious and those discerning. God bless.
I'm making preparations for the coming live-in, this July. However, my parents are concerned about me traveling at this specific date in time, they want me to wait until the next live-in which is in November. I'm considering waiting, but I'm also concerned about waiting too long, please pray for me that I can discern now, whether to go now, or later.
Come Holy Spirit, fill the heart of RW with your wisdom. Direct him on the immediate path that will best glorify God and help RW grow in docility! Safe Under Mary's Mantle!
Be true to your own heart RW. Seek a good spirit director, but you must feel it all the way in your soul....not a “out” to leave. If the full consecrated life is something that you feel called to, many years of formation will help you make the final decision. It’s worth trying. Keep praying that the Holy Spirit guides you. God bless you.
When my oldest son first visited the Norbertines during his senior year in high school, they told him to complete two years of college at least prior to coming there. But while he was there that first time, he called home. He doesn’t really remember the conversation but we asked him during that phone call how he liked the abbey. He replied, “It feels like home.” Our spiritual director subsequently told us that was exactly what to look for when discerning a religious vocation in an abbey, monastery, convent etc. If it feels like “home,” it likely is.
There is a monastery of Cistercian monks in Ireland that I feel attracted to. I have been there twice. Beautiful place. It is called Mount Melleray. Apparently Our Lady appeared there.
