how to know if you are called by God and not by circumstances?
2006-08-13 19:38:10 · 10 answers · asked by archie cute 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Call your diocese's office of vocations, they can offer you all kinds of help with your decision.
And, of course, pray a lot.
With love and prayers in Christ.
2006-08-15 16:52:55 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
--is Catholic--
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not you have a vocation belongs to the Church and not to you. Only the Church can accept your inclinations and train you to be a real priest. This is a function of the Holy Spirit and the charism of discernment that belongs to the Church.
As such, if you feel drawn to the priesthood, you should seek out a competent confessor whom you can talk with about the priesthood. I would start with talking to a solid local priest. He will help you to sort things out and direct you to where you should seek more formal discernment. Perhaps you should be discerning a vocation to religious life instead.
The formal process, through a vocation director, usually consists of interviews, admittance to seminary, and a continued process of screening (ideally). The Church and you, have at any time, until ordination (or formal vows in the case of religious) to decided not to complete the process.
You should know that not every priest has a direct call a "burning bush" moment. There are priests who could have chosen to do something else. There are priests who by circumstances found themselves in the priesthood. There are priests who have had a direct call. What binds them all together and makes them real priests is that they have committed their lives to God and God has accepted that commitment.
What I am trying to say to you is that you should not be overly worried about "have I heard a call?", for that both misses the point of God freely giving grace as well as "knock and the door shall be opened".
What you should ask yourself is "Am I willing to see if I have a vocation?"
Above all, though, pray and read spiritual works.
2006-08-16 10:49:06 · answer #2 · answered by Liet Kynes 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Though I am now an atheist, I once felt very much called to the priesthood. I think one of the most pivotal moments for me was a trip that I took to Holy Trinity seminary in Dallas with the vocations director for the Little Rock Dioscese. While I was there, they had these side altars -- I don't recall why, they weren't shrines or anything... but one day the seminarians were to go into silent meditation alone, and being that the group of us were guests, we did so as well.
As I was walking back to my room I found myself drawn instead to the chapel, then back into the back where these altars were. Following the same inner prompting, I simply went and stood behind one of them and laid my hands on it... and it felt... right. Deeply and intensely CORRECT. Apparently, I wasn't the only one. The head priest happened to walk past after a few minutes and he stopped and just looked at me and quietly said, "I know it is a time for quietness... but I see how right it is in you, and you need to hear it." Without another word, he simply turned and kept going.
Put yourself at the altar and put aside everything else, everyone and everything, be there in that moment, alone with you, the altar, and the divine you believe in... and you'll know.
Strange as I'm sure it sounds coming from an atheist, I wish you well in this time of discernment and hope you find what you are seeking.
2006-08-13 19:46:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might be called of God and not really to the Catholic priesthood. You could probably get more done for the Lord , not being in the preist hood. The priest hood is corrupt and the traditions of man in the catholic church make the power of the word of God Void! So how to discern ,,,,Read your bible daily and you will get an Idea of what God wants from you! If you are all ready a christian than you are a kingdom of priests, God says!
2006-08-13 19:44:17 · answer #4 · answered by bungyow 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
First thing you should do is talk to your favorite priest- even if he is no longer at your parish.
You should also talk to your Diocesan Vocations Director.
They will help guide you. They do not want a man prusuing a vocation out of circumstance any more than you want it.
God Bless you!
2006-08-15 16:23:04 · answer #5 · answered by Mommy_to_seven 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a Catholic woman, I really admire your considering this. I wish you luck and I'll pray that you find what He wants for you.
Call the diocesan offices in your diocese (in the city where your bishop is at the cathedral) and ask to be put in touch with the priest who talks over these matters with prospective seminarians. He'll be glad to help.
2006-08-13 19:54:25 · answer #6 · answered by catintrepid 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot of times God speaks to people through circumstances. He's not exactly going to appear in your house where you can see him and tell you what to do. You would be scared to death!
If it feels right to you to dedicate your life to God, I don't think it matters how you arrived at that decision.
2006-08-13 19:44:46 · answer #7 · answered by faithwriter 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm Protestant Born Again. You Will Know The voice Of God As all His Sheep Know The Shepards Voice
2006-08-13 19:44:00 · answer #8 · answered by savvy s 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Traitor!
2006-08-13 19:41:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
You seek the guidance and "verification" of those in the church.
2006-08-13 19:40:14 · answer #10 · answered by Gestalt 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋