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Ever thought about becoming a Priest?

  • 12-10-2013 08:02PM
    #1
    kryptonmight
    Closed Accounts Posts: 295 ✭✭


    It's something I've considered recently, especially when I hear about the shortage of priests. Although I think the celibacy thing is an obstacle for me and I'm not sure I'm willing to give up on the option of getting married etc.

    Have you ever considered it and if so, what made you decide to go ahead with it or to decide to do something else?


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Comments

  • #2
    _Redzer_
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,056 ✭✭✭_Redzer_


    It's crazy, that's why I never did it. What a waste of a life, you're basically doing nothing.


  • #3
    AthAnRi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 962 ✭✭✭AthAnRi


    kryptonmight wrote: »
    It's something I've considered recently, especially when I hear about the shortage of priests. Although I think the celibacy thing is an obstacle for me and I'm not sure I'm willing to give up on the option of getting married etc.

    Have you ever considered it and if so, what made you decide to go ahead with it or to decide to do something else?

    Yea I went on the http://exploreaway.net/ program. Which is basically 5 weekend retreats that try to help you determine your chosen vocation in life. I found it very beneficial and it certainly helped clarify what vocation I should choose.

    BTW the Celebacy thing is the biggest obstacle for many so don't let that deter you from exploring your vocation in life.


  • #4
    RENFE
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1 ✭RENFE


    I have to admit this is something I think about a lot, for some time now. It is a massive decision though. Right now I am studying for a PhD so I have decided I will spend the next couple of years finishing that and use the time to discern the decision.


  • #5
    Manach
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 9,904 Mod ✭✭✭✭Manach


    I'd have respect for those who chose a true religious vocation. My own experience growing up was a positive interaction with such as key members of the community. Historically speaking in the main they have been of good benefit to the wider society. However I've never had the calling myself and would especially based on some of my more waspish thread responses might need to reflect more on the Gospel messages, at great length. :)


  • #6
    martinedwards
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,046 ✭✭✭martinedwards


    as a Prod, the celibacy thing isn't an issue.

    I knew it was a door I had to knock on.

    I went to the Bishop, and after a fair bit of discussion and checking up with my rector he recommended me to the selection committee.

    a long weekend at the college in Dublin with a load of interviews with different senior church folk and at the end of it they felt that although I had a load of gifts, I wasn't being called to the ordained ministry at that time.


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  • #7
    SoulandForm
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,096 ✭✭✭SoulandForm


    kryptonmight wrote: »
    It's something I've considered recently, especially when I hear about the shortage of priests. Although I think the celibacy thing is an obstacle for me and I'm not sure I'm willing to give up on the option of getting married etc.

    Have you ever considered it and if so, what made you decide to go ahead with it or to decide to do something else?

    There are Eastern Rite Catholics in Ireland-if you cant handle celibacy maybe you should consider them?


  • #8
    SoulandForm
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,096 ✭✭✭SoulandForm


    _Redzer_ wrote: »
    It's crazy, that's why I never did it. What a waste of a life, you're basically doing nothing.

    Even if what you believe about God was true- in no way would it be a waste of a life. Clergy not only serve God but they serve other human beings; they provide support, advice, leadership, kindness, reproof, etc. The idea that they do basically nothing is extremely far from the truth.


  • #9
    _Redzer_
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,056 ✭✭✭_Redzer_


    SoulandForm wrote: »
    Even if what you believe about God was true- in no way would it be a waste of a life. Clergy not only serve God but they serve other human beings; they provide support, advice, leadership, kindness, reproof, etc. The idea that they do basically nothing is extremely far from the truth.
    It's what I believe. I believe it's a waste to preach what I think to be fabricated nonsense from 2,000 years ago that never happened. And the continued spread of that, and the message isn't always so nice and inclusive, is something society could do without.

    I'm really glad the vast majority of young people have no interest in joining the priesthood, they can go on to do something far more productive for humanity like becoming a scientist, engineer or doctor, sure they could be social workers and counsellors and be far more able for the job than a priest ever could if you're talking about kindness, leadership, advice and support.

    I never understood the need for priests, or churches for that matter. If god is important to you why must you all gather like a cult to worship him and pay a priest for that? Surely praying on your own time is far more intimate and direct, and maybe even more meaningful. But there's no money and power to be made in that so the masses must be herded and made think it's vital they attend mass, or else.


  • #10
    Benny_Cake
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,105 ✭✭✭Benny_Cake


    _Redzer_ wrote: »
    It's what I believe. I believe it's a waste to preach what I think to be fabricated nonsense from 2,000 years ago that never happened. And the continued spread of that, and the message isn't always so nice and inclusive, is something society could do without.

    Mod note: Describing Christianity as "fabricated nonsense" on a Christianity forum is not in keeping with the charter. If you want to debate the existence of God in a civil manner that is in keeping with the charter, then you may do so on this thread. Don't post on this thread again.


  • #11
    indy_man
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 397 ✭✭indy_man


    _Redzer_ wrote: »
    It's what I believe. I believe it's a waste to preach what I think to be fabricated nonsense from 2,000 years ago that never happened. And the continued spread of that, and the message isn't always so nice and inclusive, is something society could do without. .


    Redzer you just prove to me idiocy of the times we live in and the amount of people who have been gravely deceived by lies from media and other sources. All the more reason why we need more good and holy priests. Being a priest is one of if not the most important jobs out there.


    "If someone wants to destroy religion, he begins by attacing priests, for wherever there are no more priests, there is no sacrifice, either, and where there is no longer a sacrifice, there is no religion either."

    St John Vianney (1786-1859)


    "The priest continues Christs work of redemption on earth"

    St John Vianney (1786-1859)


    1 Peter 2
    4 He is the living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen by God and precious to him; set yourselves close to him 5 so that you, too, may be living stones making a spiritual house as a holy priesthood to offer the spiritual sacrifices made acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.


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  • #12
    Benny_Cake
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,105 ✭✭✭Benny_Cake


    indy_man wrote: »
    Redzer you just prove to me idiocy of the times we live in and the amount of people who have been gravely deceived by lies from media and other sources. All the more reason why we need more good and holy priests. Being a priest is one of if not the most important jobs out there.


    "If someone wants to destroy religion, he begins by attacing priests, for wherever there are no more priests, there is no sacrifice, either, and where there is no longer a sacrifice, there is no religion either."

    St John Vianney (1786-1859)


    "The priest continues Christs work of redemption on earth"

    St John Vianney (1786-1859)


    1 Peter 2
    4 He is the living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen by God and precious to him; set yourselves close to him 5 so that you, too, may be living stones making a spiritual house as a holy priesthood to offer the spiritual sacrifices made acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

    Mod note: Ok folks, can we move on please? The post in question has been dealt with.


  • #13
    kryptonmight
    Closed Accounts Posts: 295 ✭✭kryptonmight


    Op here.

    I've contacted those exploreaway people so let's see what they come back with.

    I don't know if it's just a phase but it's like some sort of urge to help people or spread God's word. I actually went to speak to a priest in my parish a couple of months ago about getting involved with things and to just discuss vocations in general.

    I work in IT at the moment and for a long time it was all I wanted to do (nerd alert) :). However I feel like it's becoming more of a hobby or interest than something I want to do for a living fulltime.

    I guess this religious urge has been nagging at me for a while now, I think it started around April or May this year. I don't know if I'm suitable to be a priest or religious but I feel I need to do something going forward where I can help people or spread the word somehow.

    I've also contacted the Legion of Mary to possibly help out those guys.


  • #14
    Doc Farrell
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,880 ✭✭✭Doc Farrell


    Even if you don't become a priest there's thousands of roles in thousands of Christian and non religious charities who would love you to help them. Just do these two seemingly opposing things: take your time and get stuck in. Hope you enjoy it.


  • #15
    seminarian
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 43 ✭seminarian


    kryptonmight wrote: »
    It's something I've considered recently, especially when I hear about the shortage of priests. Although I think the celibacy thing is an obstacle for me and I'm not sure I'm willing to give up on the option of getting married etc.

    Have you ever considered it and if so, what made you decide to go ahead with it or to decide to do something else?

    I thought I wanted to be a priest so I entered a religious order and trained for 7 years. I did a lot of pastoral work in several countries during that time. I eventually left because I didn't think it was my vocation, but without a doubt it was one of the best things I ever did. Really enjoyed my time, did a lot of traveling and helped a lot of people. I keep in contact with many.

    As I was a Religious I lived a life of Poverty, Chastity, Obedience. There is an immense freedom in being free from a world so full of materialism. I didn't buy the latest fashion, or follow trends. Some people see it as restrictive and in a sense I suppose it was.. However in my life now as a married Father there is also a lot of restrictions, and less freedom.

    I suppose the most important thing about being a Priest is to have Faith in Gods presence in your life, to have a relationship with Christ. Without Faith it makes no sense. I see about this thread has been trolled.. I met a lot of trolls which I wore religious habit. Been called a peodophile priest to my face once. (even though I was just a Religious brother). Ignorant trolls exist everywhere...and some are just jealous of people who display a faith they don't understand.

    So you can be many things in Life.. I think to be a Priest you need to listen to Gods calling, He shows you the way, and ultimately will give you inner peace and strength to follow his call.

    The easiest way to know if you have a vocation is simply to live in a community for a while. Go help the Franciscans or Dominicans or Work with Opus Dei etc... Thats what I did. I left after 7 years, but I was the better man for having at least tried to see if it was my vocation instead of regretting it.


  • #16
    newmug
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,571 ✭✭✭newmug


    I often thought about it. I'm a father to 3 kids now though. But I've made up my mind, if herself goes to her reward before I do, and the kids are grown up, I might have a crack at it then.


  • #17
    Tombo2001
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,238 ✭✭✭Tombo2001


    martinedwards wrote: »
    as a Prod, the celibacy thing isn't an issue.

    I knew it was a door I had to knock on.

    I went to the Bishop, and after a fair bit of discussion and checking up with my rector he recommended me to the selection committee.

    a long weekend at the college in Dublin with a load of interviews with different senior church folk and at the end of it they felt that although I had a load of gifts, I wasn't being called to the ordained ministry at that time.


    there is an interesting point:

    do people get a Christian vocation or a catholic vocation? if celibacy is an issue, then why not become a priest through the Church of Ireland? Genuine question.


  • #18
    Tombo2001
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,238 ✭✭✭Tombo2001


    SoulandForm wrote: »
    Even if what you believe about God was true- in no way would it be a waste of a life. Clergy not only serve God but they serve other human beings; they provide support, advice, leadership, kindness, reproof, etc. The idea that they do basically nothing is extremely far from the truth.


    I agree with you, but the corollary is that in my opinion priests sacrifice too much to do what they do. I see our local parish priest, week in week out performing duties for people he will never really get to know well; whether its weddings or baptisms or funerals or whatever......he arrived 7 years ago from a parish in Kildare ....I am in Dublin......he could be sent off to some other place in a year or two. He has no roots here, he doesn't keep in touch with people from previous parishes to any great extent.... he is in his '60s......its a lonely life, I don't envy him, in fact I feel sorry for him - he is taken for granted. Disclaimer: I don't practice any religion myself, I'm just looking at it from a human level, I've gotten to know the guy because our kids were baptised by him.


  • #19
    seminarian
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 43 ✭seminarian


    Some links if you are interested to the OP who stated this thread.

    Dominicans in Ireland are seeing a revival, there are 18 men in training.

    http://www.facebook.com/pages/Irish-Dominican-Vocations

    Also the Franciscans have started to grow again in Ireland.

    http://www.facebook.com/franciscanvocationsofm.ireland

    There are also 70 seminarians in Training in Maynooth. (plus others in other orders.. Jesuits, carmelites.. etc..)

    Go and live with them for a week or two, either way if you do want to become a priest there is a long discernment time involved, so don't think its a choice you need to make in a year.

    What I would say, if you do it, do it with 100% of your heart or not at all, nothing worse than mediocre Priests.


  • #20
    kryptonmight
    Closed Accounts Posts: 295 ✭✭kryptonmight


    newmug wrote: »
    I often thought about it. I'm a father to 3 kids now though. But I've made up my mind, if herself goes to her reward before I do, and the kids are grown up, I might have a crack at it then.

    Have you thought about becoming a deacon newmug? You can do that while remaining married. I thought about it myself but if you are single when you join it, you have to stay that way. Seems a strange rule when they will accept married men, but not single men and let them become married later.


  • #21
    Benny_Cake
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,105 ✭✭✭Benny_Cake


    kryptonmight wrote: »
    I thought about it myself but if you are single when you join it, you have to stay that way. Seems a strange rule when they will accept married men, but not single men and let them become married later.

    Does anyone know if there is a reason behind it or is it simply a tradition of the church? Genuine question, it doesn't make a lot of sense to me.


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  • #22
    seminarian
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 43 ✭seminarian


    Benny_Cake wrote: »
    Does anyone know if there is a reason behind it or is it simply a tradition of the church? Genuine question, it doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

    Its the same in other eastern Church's not in communion with Rome. When the apostles preached they would have chosen older men to be overseers of the faith, men who lived the faith, usually married. Young unmarried men would not have been given this position.

    Married men can be priests in the Catholic, Orthodox, Armenian and eastern orthodox Church's,, however in the Catholic Church its only certain rites (not the Roman)

    However the historical facts are Married men were Bishops and Priests in the early Church, but men who were not married who became Priests could not then marry. By the 3rd Century only celibate men could become bishops.


  • #23
    KatyMac
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,209 ✭✭✭KatyMac


    I'm a Prod and am a lay preacher as I'm a bit old to go the ordained route. I believe I had a 'calling' and if that makes me certifiable then bring on the strait jackets. I had an awful nagging in my head and once I went the lay preaching way the nagging stopped immediately. I put up with it for several years because I didn't want to do where I was being called to. I think from talking to others in the same position as me that this is a similar experience and if God wants us to become a priest, parson, lay preacher or whatever then He will get you there and you won't be able to resist.


  • #24
    Geomy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,296 ✭✭✭Geomy


    Only for the Fr Ted Festival in North Clare.

    I often thought of taking a year out in a remote Christian monastery working on the land or a Buddhist monastery.

    It was just for the solitude and to see what that lifestyle is like, but never thought of becoming a priest.


  • #25
    Ambersky
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,220 ✭✭✭Ambersky


    Yes I did.


  • #26
    Geomy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,296 ✭✭✭Geomy


    Ambersky wrote: »
    Yes I did.

    Were you there this year ?

    I heard it's great craic :-)


  • #27
    Ambersky
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,220 ✭✭✭Ambersky


    Never had the pleasure Geomy


  • #28
    feargale
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,639 ✭✭✭feargale


    SoulandForm wrote: »
    There are Eastern Rite Catholics in Ireland-if you cant handle celibacy maybe you should consider them?

    Can one choose to be Eastern Rite or Latin Rite as one pleases? I didn't think that was permitted by Rome, that one had to follow what one was born with. No?


  • #29
    feargale
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,639 ✭✭✭feargale


    Does Rome allow a lay person to change rites at will?


  • #30
    Grab All Association
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,071 ✭✭✭Grab All Association


    _Redzer_ wrote: »
    It's crazy, that's why I never did it. What a waste of a life, you're basically doing nothing.

    It's fabulous being a priest! Think of the comfort you bring to the sick and dying they love it they can't get enough of it.


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  • #31
    katydid
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 6,351 ✭✭✭katydid


    KatyMac wrote: »
    I'm a Prod and am a lay preacher as I'm a bit old to go the ordained route. I believe I had a 'calling' and if that makes me certifiable then bring on the strait jackets. I had an awful nagging in my head and once I went the lay preaching way the nagging stopped immediately. I put up with it for several years because I didn't want to do where I was being called to. I think from talking to others in the same position as me that this is a similar experience and if God wants us to become a priest, parson, lay preacher or whatever then He will get you there and you won't be able to resist.

    You know what, Katy, that's exactly the same for me. I thought about it for years, but now that I'm a lay reader that does it for me. One of my good friends decided to go all the way, and she and others were encouraging me to think about going further, but I've found that what I'm doing now is much more fulfilling for me. I love taking services and preaching - I spend hours on my sermons - but I don't think I'd be any good at the pastoral side of the ministry. Everyone has their own gifts and we should go with our gut feeling.


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