www.vocation.com - I am already 29: Marriage or the priesthood?

	D asks: When ever I pray, after communion, at Mass or otherwise, I feel God is asking me to join the priesthood. This voice keeps speaking to me at other times during the day too. However, the reason I am confused is that whenever I meet an unmarried woman at a social gathering or somewhere else and get to know her, I feel drawn towards marriage and the married life. My question is how can I know for sure that God is calling me to a vocation in the Church? What if I join a seminary and then after having spending sometime there realize that God is not calling me, I would then be too old to get married as I am already 29? Please help.
	Dear D, The thought of the priesthood as you are experiencing it might be an indication of a priestly vocation. However, you have to see it in the context of the other circumstances of your life: do you have the necessary mental, social and personal qualities to be a priest? If yes, then God certainly might be calling you to the priesthood. The draw you feel to marriage is healthy and means you are normal. If God is calling you to the priesthood, your natural attraction to women and marriage, is something you will sacrifice out of love for Christ and the souls you will serve. You are right in pointing out the risk involved in following a vocation, especially at your age. There only way to be sure you have one is by trying it, if there are no signs definitely telling you that you don't have one. Just keep in mind that if you are generous with God he will be more than generous with you. God bless, and be sure of my prayers.


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