Dear Marc,

I think you should curb a little your impulse to quit school, get a job, and spend your free evenings praying. This is why: you are at the beginning of your discovery of where God is leading you, you want to deepen your relationship with him and live for him alone, you are in the process of being received into the Catholic Church, and your basic education is not yet complete. So there is a lot of "construction underway" in your life right now, and your actions at this juncture will have a profound effect on your future, so you have to decide prudently.

Prudence says to stay on at school and finish that out. Prudence says to continue your study of the Catholic faith (the Catechism); so that your knowledge of the gift God is giving you will be as complete as possible when you receive it. Prudence says to continue to grow in your prayer life, but in a way that will integrate your ordinary duties and make them part of your response to your Christian vocation. The motivation to continue working at school is going to be that it is what Jesus wants of you right now, it is what he wants of an 18-year-old to whom he has given the gift of intelligence. So do it out of love for him, and remember that if you want to help others you need to continue to develop the talents God gave you until you discover your concrete call in life. You need to look around for some way to help others now - a way that is compatible with your present primary responsibilities.

I hope these points help you. It is great to hear of your enthusiasm for prayer but you have to keep in mind the other things God wants of you as well at this stage in your life. Get back to me if I can be of further assistance.

God bless,