Sometimes it is very difficult to know what God wants. Up until recently my oldest son who is 18 wanted to be a priest. In fact he has wanted to be a priest for as long as I can remember-then off he went to Oscott for the day and came back cured of the desire. Part of the problem I think is that for a whole day being offered to all young men with a desire for the priesthood only ONE young man turned up; my son. While everyone was very nice to him-the day was too intense and he has simply said no way.
Meanwhile he is looking at going to America. Now, I cannot begin to tell you the HUGE difficulties we have faced over this. His trip to EWTN fell through and now he is concentrating on his hope to go and visit Franciscan University Steubenville in the late Spring and he wants to apply to go there.
I would love him to go there. It has strong links with my beloved Maryvale, which is about the only truly orthodox Catholic HE we seem to have in this country.
But the cost for him to go there is astronomical. It's just impossible as things stand for us to see how on earth we could fund him through uni over there. It would be difficult enough to assist him to do a degree here.
I really want what's best for him and his interest in Catholic media would hardly find an outlet here in the UK-but I can't see, right now, how we are going to do this.
So my friends get out those beads and slide a few through your fingers in our direction; that we find God's will in this and that if He does want my oldest to spread his wings in Ohio, that He drops a bucket load of dosh this way.
19 comments:
What a difficult time for both of you! I don't look forward to these struggles with my own children.
Maybe you can check into various scholarships to see what is available. Also, he could try to get a work-study job that would help pay for tuition.
Have either of you thought about attending a seminary as part of his discernment process. From my understanding, if your son attended the local seminary here, he would take classes with the rest of the university students, but then also have the seminary course work and would be surrounded by like-minded young men who are also discerning their vocations. Not everyone who attends seminary comes out a priest, but discern their vocation while they are there.
I do know a lady who went to Franciscan U and could contact her to see if she has any suggestions on financing, etc., if you would like. It couldn't hurt.
Will pray your son finds his way!
Certainly i will pray..my second eldest got a scholarship to study at Uni in this country because of her academic excellence..everything is possible with God..
I will certainly pray for your son's future...if it is God's will, then God will find a way for him!
Love AR xx
Praying,
"As God pleases, as God wills"
Thank you for those prayers. I am learning more and more to let go and let God; but it is such a difficult lesson for me!
Thank you SwissMiss please do ask your friend; all ideas are welcome.
I'm so sorry. I remember you mentioning his trip Stateside a few months ago. It all sounded so exciting - I've been scanning the closing credits of EWTN shows, just in case I spotted something (which would be a miracle as I don't know your surname! LOL!)
Is Canada as expensive? They have the 'Salt and Light' network, which isn't as big as EWTN, but still respected.
God bless you - prayers, or course.
I will keep your son in my prayers Whitestonenameseeker and will look forward to updates.
All things are possible with God if it be His Will:).
God's abundant love to you & your family:).
Marie
I had not heard of Salt and Light-thank you for that we will look into it.
He really does want to do his degree at FUS.
Interestingly he has also admitted that he hasn't fully discerned his vocation to the priesthood and needs longer to think and pray it through.
But I will never let him near Oscott again!!!
"But I will never let him near Oscott again!!!" It must have been quite difficult for your son to be on his own like that. I hope they didn't subject him to the whole programme that had been prepared for a large group or that, if they did, he will be able to see how silly that was and laugh at it. Don't worry about his vocational discernment; the "twitch upon the thread" will come whenever and wherever God chooses. You and your son are in my prayers.
Fr-it was and although I think they tried to taylor it down it was just intimidating for him to have so much attention on him alone.
He has admitted he needs more time and I trust that if God wants him for the priesthood the tug will be there.
Thank you for your prayer
God bless
Ok, primarily he should not be doing anything until he has a little money under his belt - It sounds crazy but even a couple of thousand can make all the difference ; so I would recommend he works for a year ; on top of which I wouldn't recommend any kid went to university before they were twenty - even as little as an extra two years of maturity on their shoulders can make all the difference when surrounded by infantile students who wish to spend all their time consuming alcohol and jumping in and out of each others beds.
Seminary ?
I'm sure if he wanted to contact me or philip we could discuss all the ups and downs of both the process and go through all the necessary preparation and the possible crosses and conflicts that may arise...
the offer is there should he ever feel the need, but please when it comes to religious institutes - he is not ready - they are very...well i won't go into it on here but i think you understand more than enough already...
I'll pray for him and you too. Are there other options in the UK? What about the seminary in Wonersh?
Some of the priest bloggers teach there, and they seem orthodox to me.
Karen
As the Canon Law lecturer at Wonersh, and as one who has discovered and loves his vocation as a diocesan priest (even though it has its crosses), I can heartily recommend that your son check things out down south. If you or your son would like to get in touch with me, please feel free to do so. You can find my contact details at my parish website. I would also recommend Fr Stephen Langrige, the Vocations Director for Southwark (you should be able to find details in the Catholc Directory but check here too), who organises many seekers meetings. I can assure you that no 'day' that he organises is attended by just one person. They are very well attended by fine young men, a good number of whom have found their way to the Seminary.
Be assured, also of my prayers. If the Lord wants your son to be a priest, it will happen.
Excellent advice from Paul regarding a short delay before going up to university. A couple of years will make all the difference.
Yes, I must admit I am all for a delay before he goes to Uni. I taught at a Uni for 5 yrs and was, quite frankly unimpressed with the maturity and sense of my students who ranged from 18 to 23! I had been working full time, was married and pregnant at 23 and these children could barely tie their shoes!!!
J is working hard and saving his money. I'm in no rush-although unfortuately we are under some external pressure.
Fr Boyle; thank you so much. I think my son will contact you.
God bless and thank you everyone for your prayers and support.
I look forward to hearing from him.
Praying...
We sure could use some more good priests. I'll pray that he hears God's will for his life. Maybe prayers from Ohio will help things along! :)
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