www.vocation.com - How do I tell a call to the priesthood from zeal?

	Tom asks: I am 15 years old and considering a vocation to the priesthood, but I am not sure that I am called. I need help discerning if what I feel may be a calling, or just a very good imagination inspired by a bit of religious zeal. The idea of being a priest came from reading the lives of saints who were priests and they really impressed me. The example of a good parish priest I know also helped. The one Saint that sticks out in particular is the Cure d'Ars: St. John Vianney, and I have felt a desire to imitate him. But once I felt a desire to imitate St. Francis Xavier. Is this just religious enthusiasm or graces pointing me to find my vocation as a priest? Or am I confusing this as a call to better holiness, the call of all Christians. If you don't mind I would like to expound on these "feelings". I feel prompted to become like St. John Vianney: become a truly holy youth, enter the seminary, become a priest, and offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, reverently and devoutly. I've imagined St. John sitting in the confessional hours at a time, preaching the gospel, teaching his little flock how to truly love Christ and love him better. I am so impressed with him... I think, "I want to become like him". Unfortunately, if these are signs, I've rebelled against them in the past. I had a crush that I let get to my head. I fancied getting married to this girl one day, and just being a good Catholic husband and father, and growing in holiness that way. It got found out and came back to bite me, but somehow I became detached from the idea. I had another short-lived crush on a girl in school, but that didn't last long. Throughout this the idea of a vocation just wouldn't die. I had suffocated it, but somehow it stayed alive and is now stronger. I hope you may be able to shed some light on this. Would you recommend a school for young men considering the priesthood? Thank you.
	Dear Tom, Somehow your question got buried among other things and I just re-discovered it now. I am sorry for the delay, but now I can wish you a happy New Year. It seems to me that your ups and downs as regards the vocation are quite normal. It would be highly unusual if thoughts of marriage did not come into your mind, and if you did not find girls attractive and even have a crush or two on particular ones. But the priesthood keeps popping back, and especially, the idea you have of what a priest is, and what you would want to do as a priest, is very well-centered. From what you say, it seems to me that it is the priesthood that is attracting you, and not just a general desire for holiness, so I definitely think you should take the matter further. The question is, how? First, a premise: you are 15, so you are getting more independent but you still are a minor, in God's eyes your parents still have a major, active role to play in your decisions and they have a major responsibility towards you. Granted this, there are schools for boys your age who are thinking of the priesthood, and they can be very helpful for a young man in your situation. However, it is not enough for you to want to go, your parents have to be in agreement as well. How would you know if this is the way to go? First ask your parents' permission to visit the school, and see what it is like. (Would you fit in? Does it challenge you? Will it help you if you have a vocation?... Speak to the priests who run it, to the kids there; pray with them, play with them, do everything they do for a few days). If you and the priests there think it will help you, you should speak with your parents about it. Explain why you would like to take this step, have them see the school if they want to. If they agree, go ahead and take the step. If your parents think it is better for you to finish out high school where you are then you will have to take very active steps toward helping your vocation grow for the next few years. This will mean going to Mass, Communion and Confession frequently; and having your own favorite prayers as well, especially the Rosary. Now that you know you are made out of flesh and blood and can easily get sidetracked from your vocation by crushes and whatnot, don't be surprised or alarmed if they surface again, but continue to put the priesthood first. Also, try to do something active for your faith in order to spread it to others, be an example for your friends. I hope these ideas help you, write me back if there is anything else you want to ask or if I can help you in any way. God bless.


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