Question : I have been thinking about the Priesthood for sometime. I feel confused about my vocation and sometimes feel like I would rather marry. I haven’t had much success in recent relationships. At mass I often find myself distracted during the consecration thinking about becoming a Priest. Is there any direction you can provide?

Answer: Many people may experience what you have described. The calling to the Priesthood can often be difficult to discern. First of all you must be commended for taking these stirring thoughts of a vocation into consideration. Many people won’t even give them the time of day. Knowing God’s will is a challenge and rightly so because we need to get away from life and still ourselves before God to even begin seriously reflecting upon the direction of His will.

A vocation is something that every human being has. What you must do is channel your energies towards finding out what your vocation is. Avoid what if's. What if I try it and don’t like it. What if I start dating and I’m really suppose to be celibate. Focus your thoughts and activities around cultivating your vocation. If for example you were drawn towards writing as I am it would make no sense to go out and start painting. You must take a leap of faith sometimes and see where God is leading. If your calling is serious enough that it warrants further thought try contacting the vocations office in your diocese.

Attend a come and see retreat Spend more time in the Blessed Sacrament so you can hear God speaking to you. Pray! Pray! Pray! I cannot emphasize this enough. If you do not pray about your vocation you may find yourself constantly jumping back and forth. One minute you’ll be swearing you’re ready to join the Seminary. The next you’ll be looking for a date. Pray for wisdom so that you can identify the confirmations of what God wants of you. As Catholics we often forget that God speaks to us constantly. Our past experiences are often a reflection of the direction our life has taken and the direction it can be heading towards. These are all factors which one must seriously consider. If you have had great difficulty with Celibacy in your past then Celibacy may be difficult in your Vocation. If you are honest with yourself about who you are then you will through God’s grace realize what it is that you are meant to do with this gift of life which you have been given. Knowing God’s will in this busy world of ours is very challenging but it is not impossible. All Catholics need to spend more time reflecting upon God’s will for their lives.

If you do not have a spiritual director already then you need to find one who is available. Vocation offices and most seminaries are able to provide you with spiritual direction. You need someone who can help you discern your vocation. Do not go to a friend for spiritual direction. Friends although they may have the best of intentions at times they may be unable to relay difficult messages to one another. Trust in Christ to show you what He truly wants. He won’t ask you to do something that won’t make you happy. The Priesthood is a truly beautiful calling. Marriage is also a beautiful calling. Continue in prayer! God Bless