Frequently Asked Questions      

 

Q: I think I might be called to the priesthood, but how will I know?

A:  We only know our vocation by coming to know God. He is the source of everything, the author of life and it is He who gives our life direction. Therefore, in coming to know our vocation, it is important to come to know the Lord. This is prayer. Prayer is the act of bringing everything before God -- our ideas, thoughts, concerns and situations. As we bring these things to Him, he begins to reveal himself to us and will show us the way through consolations of the Holy Spirit. We can also take steps to investigate our interests: Participate more in parish events, talk to a priest, visit the seminary, read a book on the priesthood. As you take these steps, you can be discerning your own spirit, how the Lord is leading, where he is leading you now.

Q: I know a lot of guys that I think are holier than me. Could I still have a vocation to the priesthood?

A:  Yes. God's call, as evidenced in the Scripture, is not based on our holiness. Rather, his call is for our holiness. God calls us not because we are holy, but he calls us to make us holy. We see that this is what God did this with all the Saints (i.e. Peter, Paul and Augustine) and he does so with us. Therefore, the main question is not who is more holy than I, but rather, how is it that I am called to be holy. For some, that being made holy comes through the gift of being a priest.

Q: I think God's calling me to the priesthood, but sometimes I feel

     attracted to girls.

A: Attraction to girls is a normal thing and is not an obstacle to the priesthood. But like all of our attractions, we need to learn how to direct them properly. Our attractions are not obstacles but they can become obstacles if we allow them. A husband for instance, even though he is married, may be attracted to other women. This can be an obstacle to his marriage. As men, we need to learn how to love and respect women properly. This comes in time and with God's help. The virtue that helps us here is Chastity. As a priest, a man's wife is the Church. He must be faithful to her, and he must love her as Jesus did. With this is mind, the priest's attractions are directed accordingly.

Q: I'm concerned what my friends and family might think or how they will react if I tell them I'm interested in the priesthood.

A: Being concerned about your family and friends is a valid concern. More often then not, however, it is those who are closest to us who see the signs of priesthood within us and are not surprised by our interests. I would suggest that in thinking of priesthood you do not have to tell your entire family or friends at first. But rather, you can begin to share your thoughts about the Church, priests, or the Eucharist. In this way, you can begin to grow stronger in your thoughts as you share them with others. Those who love you may not totally understand but they will support you in your good desires.

Q: How can I find out more about the priesthood without feeling like

     I'm obligated to join?

A:  The best way to find more information is do what you are doing looking on the internet. Beyond that, it would be good to talk to a priest who you can trust. You may even be interested in visiting the seminary itself. Discernment is never a matter of obligation. It is a matter of Jesus' invitation to "Come and See".

 

Q: What does a priest do?

A: A priest engages in people's lives at the most memorable times, both joyful and sorrowful - in baptisms and weddings, funerals and hospital visits. He celebrates the Eucharist with his congregation and brings comfort and meaning to modern day life in his homilies. Most diocesan priests work in parishes but some do specialized work such as campus ministry; prison, health care, and military chaplaincy; education; retreat and spiritual direction; and diocesan administration. Whatever kind of work he does, every priest tries to include in his life enough study, prayer, physical exercise, leisure and recreation. Together, this balance in life brings a high degree of personal satisfaction.

Q: Do priests get lonely?

A: Loneliness is a part of every vocation, at one time or another. It is part of the human condition. Married people get lonely at times, even though their spouses and children surround them. Priests are always surrounded by people. This is one of the joys of being a priest. We are involved with people at the most profound moments of their lives: birth, Baptism, Confirmation, First Communion, Marriage, and death. We don't have enough time to experience loneliness often! But when we do experience loneliness, Jesus can fill that void, as He does for people in every vocation.

Q: Will I get paid?

A: Priests do not get paid in the same sense that people in the business world are paid. Because a priest does not have a family and because he lives a simple life, he does not need a lot of money. However, priests do receive enough money to buy their necessities, to buy and maintain an automobile, to take a vacation, and to do normal recreational activities. Also, priests are given free room and board by the parish for which they work, so their expenses are minimal.

Q: Will I get time off and what can I do with it?

A:  We have approximately the same amount of leisure time as most adults. In this time, we are free to do whatever is legal, moral, and reasonable for adults in our situation. Some of the more common activities are sports, movies, TV, reading, sharing with friends, enjoying the outdoors.

Q: Are priests ever attracted to the opposite sex?

A:  Yes, we are. Nothing happens to us at the time of entering the seminary that eliminates normal human needs, feelings, or desires. As celibate men, we choose to channel these feelings and express our love for others in the wide range of means other than those physical expressions restricted to and proper to marriage. However, priests can and do have chaste friendships with women. Priestly formation programs discuss openly the topics of celibacy and the needs that men seeking to follow Christ as a celibate priest have. This is an important part of our priestly formation program.

 

 

Text from the Archdiocese of Boston Vocation Office