My Vocation

Well, this story is a huge unity, as are approximately of my stories, just now here it goes My trading story is simple it began with a public opinion from immortal that my life was meant for some(a)thing more(prenominal) than. This arche causa resounded priesthood not solely in my head, nevertheless also in my day-to-day life. Very carefully, d superstar the influence of my parents, done the desire to attend devoted throne more regularly through proscribed the calendar week, and through my experiences with the new(prenominal) member of our church service especi eithery choir, beau ideal sanctum sanctorum tactile sensation (Mahal na Ingkong) was c anying me to the priesthood.The number oneing line boy in a family of eight children,I grew up in a Catholic family that for the more or less pop went to Mass every sunshine. I accompanied the parochial civilise at the parish my family went to for grades one to eight. Through the take, I do my first exculpation when I was in the second grade and sure my First sanctified Communion in the third grade. Also through the parish school, I began dower at Mass in the fourth grade. During this time I never canvased a vocation to the priesthood or religious life. I recommend that in the first few years of grade school I matte up a sense of awe when I stepped inside a church.At some point during grade school, that noticeing of awe and that the church building was someway different went away. As time went on, I went to Mass on Sundays and received Communion largely because that is what my family did on Sundays and I went along. After I receive from the sixth grade, I attended a private high school in the area that was an excellent college preparatory school. During this time I fain for and received the Sacrament of Confirmation at my familys parish. I was mildly interest in receiving the Sacrament however to some extent, I received it because it was the near step in the life of a Catholic .My spiritual life as I graduated high school and prepared to go finish to college can be summarized by the word mechanical. I prayed in advancehand meals with my family because that is what we did. I went to church on Sunday because that is what my family did. I prayed before neck because that is what my m new(prenominal) taught me. None of that would last very long afterward I went to college and was on my own. During my teen long time years my grandmother are hoping that I would work a priest someday. Upon hearing how she mentioned the news to my relative, I was dumbfounded.I think it was more a reaction to give up a loving God in an unloving world, and my thoughts were more along the lines that if I ignored God, maybe He would just go away After high school, I attended Divine Mercy College and a working student. I attend Sunday on my own for ab sum on half of my first quarter as a freshmen and then stopped. When I was home for Christmas, Spring break, and summer, I went to Mass along with my family but did not receive Communion. Towards the end of my sophomore year, my outstrip friend knowing I was Catholic began to ask why Catholics did sealed thingsMy Best friend is not a typical type of religious catholic person. What he knew of the Catholic faith he had learned from so he knew Catholics worshiped Mary and the saints and did not read the bible. I had no root word how to answer his questions or statements regarding Catholic beliefs. I was for the large part bestial of what Catholics believed and why we did things the way we did them, even after six years of ignorance in worshipping influenced by my parents. When praying the rosary for example, I did not know one was speculate to mediate on each of mysteries piece of music reciting the petitions. My best friend retell what he had learned slightly Catholic beliefs and I was clueless and otiose to respond. I was motivated by my best friend questions to learn what Catholics believed. I may not realize learned much during my years in our home but one assertion in particular made by my best friend drew my attention. It was the statement that Catholics worship statues. I definitely could not explain why that was false but I knew it to be false. I had stood in front of statues and prayed. I had seen other mess stand in front of statues praying. I had seen people reverence statues. I never ever thought the statue was beingness worshiped.I knew and I think the other people knew the statue was not an object to be worshiped and that worship was only when presumptuousness to God. I found on-line resources ilk Catholic Answers and catholic. org. Based on what I learned on-line I purchased some books. I began breathing out to Mass at our church. Something was different about Mass now. The priest was the homogeneous as before, but now his homilies were somehow better. I began to realize that while it was possible that Fathers homilies had gotten better over the late(pr enominal) year and half to dickens years, the problem was really with me I simply had not been comprehend before.I tested to learn as much as I could about the Catholic faith. I also tried to keep going to Mass during the week and praying Morning and Evening Prayer so that those were not just things I did for Lent. I brought a rosary always for protection. During this time when my faith was re-create and I took an active part in fostering my faith and prayer life (around 2009 up to this day). I was an active auxiliary in these past few years most especially in a choir. I dreamed to be a choir of our church until I had numerous experiences encountered as a member. Until, one day I won the substitute for Battle of the Band contest held last 2011.Lastly, I was appointed to be the chairman of Toka9 auxiliary and there are several great sunny things happened to me last year. Until, the thought of being a priest occurred to me. At generation I could see myself as a priest offering the smiling Sacrifice of the Mass. But when I though about it, it seemed like an c one timeption that was not possible and that God would not pick me. I afford a speech fluency disorder called stuttering (or stammering). At times, it seemed to me to be severe. As a result, I really did not like public speaking. I pushed off the idea of being a priest as being an impossible dream or fantasy.Certainly, I took the idea of being a priest seriously and was nervous that God was calling me. I go along going to Mass on Sundays and weekdays when possible, praying Morning and Evening Prayer, and trying to do an hour of personal meditation a night. I began to recognize that God was calling me, but I was comfortable with my life. For, so many things happened to me as an active parishioner I always ask God set apart liven (Mahal na Ingkong) Why should I stay? At first I had a hard time recognizing that God was calling me in this manner, but over the years I have come to better scan just how God was laying things out for me.My inspiration to say yes was back up by the example of my dream. Since, I managed to be an active member of our church I was in the process of consumeing myself closer to God divine Spirit (Mahal na Ingkong) and because of this I often spoke with him about this reclusive and it had influenced me to take form my last final. Through his words and even more through his example, I accomplished that I valued my life to reflect the same desire to serve God. I continued my frigid relationship with God through college days. And, I considered this is one of the interesting parts of my religious life. This actualisation started a slow thaw.Slowly but surely I started becoming more involved in the Church, realizing eventually that God did exist and did care, so perhaps I should re turn away that with more than I had been. Indeed, the more I frequented blessed Mass the more the desire grew within my heart to give up my life because of my sins. s ingle day when the mass was about to start it came out to my mind when I would watch the priest during Holy Mass, especially at the moments of consecration, I longed to be the man at the altar, offering the sacrifice. Honestly, I considered this was a hilarious part of my daydreaming that time.Its been said that if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans. So, I figured, why consult Him on the be? But there comes a time my home life was stable a mess and there are several sins I made. individual asked me to come to a Eucharistic adoration if I want to have a conversation from god and to seek help. I started going for the first time to Adoration on a weekly basis. It was during one of this Holy Hours that I could finally ask God the question that had bothered me all though out my on-going conversion if He loved me so much, why did he want me to enter this new world?I thought it was okay that He wanted to care for me now, but what about before? Did he understand my mortal s in? I told God that if I was mistaken, and my call was truly to the priesthood, then to please send me some type of dramatic sign to let me know. I am aware that it is a fairly common phenomenon for spring chicken people discerning a vocation to the religious life to ask for this, but it is not a sinewy or appropriate request, since God does not generally work that way. One of the great signs I received is that when I went into the mission to Bohol, our grace asked me to heed my dreams but I should enter the religious vocation.Secondarily, in the middle of the month after the mission my father also asked me if I want to subscribe theology this coming school classes. Eventually, I seek for the last and other signs for I have the so-called proof of entering priesthood. But Unfortunately, I was really in crisis at this point, but I still hadnt received three or more of the dramatic signs I wanted from God in order to show me that I was called to the priesthood rather than the reg ular single life. During these Holy Hours, I would ask this question again and again, until, finally, one night I opted to listen for His response (a good idea listening at prayer . I had perceive that God suffers with His children, but, that night, I heard those words as though Christ Himself had spoken them to me Where was I? I was crying and suffering with you Gradually, from the inspiration of these experiences and from time in prayer I decided to answer yes to Gods desire. However, after making the decision I was afraid to mention anything to anyone for a good two weeks. Finally, after holding this decision within myself for so long (at least it seemed long to me), I decided that I should tell someone.So, I went to one of my friends, Hijas De mare Lenny Enrica, and I talked things out with her. She, however, was not surprised by my news, which in turn left me surprised. You see, HDM Lenny was one of my co-choir member in our church and as part of her job she is also an auxi liary officer of the Diocese Region 13 Queen Of Angels and a very supportive friend of mine and I clearly explained and mentioned to her my desire to join the priesthood. Needless to say, I took this conversation as an affirmation from God that I was following the right path. Interestingly enough, HDM Lenny once again layed an important role in helping me pusue my vocation. During our time in a Choir meeting I informed her again that I desired to enter the order. I can only explain this as Gods Providence. She knew where I belonged, only I had to figure it out as well. Im actually judgmental within myself I grew incredibly in my terrible past life and because of a combine of temptation and of my own weakness, I was not awakened in this slimy dream of my life. I thought that God probably existed, but He didnt care one way or another about what I was doing in my life.I really owe this acceptance (as little as it seemed) to my auxiliary friends, to whom God seemed very real and very near. I realized that although the decision to become a priest would entail great sacrifice, that didnt mean that it was not a sacrifice I was called to make. Still, it really price when I thought about the idea of never claiming my bodys necessarily and necessities. In many ways, all the joys of my vocation were hidden to me, and all I could focus on were the beautiful things that I would be broad up.I was really concerned that I wouldnt have the courage to start or the resolve to follow through with my calling. But it hit me one day that no one is strong enough or estimable enough to be a priestthat grace can only come from God. And so I said, Okay, God, I believe that you want me to be a priest, and I acceptI will do it. I know you know how much this hurts, and that my sacrifice is that much more significant to you because you know. Still, I asked God for help with two things. First, I said, I am so weakfar too weak to do this on my own.I agreed to your mysterious plan for me, but I dont have the strength to carry it out, so all the rest has to come from youI am leaning on you completely and entirely. And I remember having this amazing sense of peace, knowing that God would always make me stir to the tasks to which he was calling me as long as I could bring myself to ask. It was thrilling to realize that I wasnt expected toindeed couldnthave the strength or perseverance to do what God was asking, it was only for me to agree to do it, and then to prayThe second thing I asked for was peace of mindI said, God, I believe I am called to the priesthood, but I dont want to be a miserable priest a martyr in my own eyeballI want to be joyful For the next 30 days, I will make sure to spend twenty or xxx minutes each day after Mass praying in your Presence. If, as I believe, you are truly calling me to the priesthood, please help me to feel at peace with my decision to enter the seminary by the end of that time. By the end of that period I was so convinced o f my calling that I could laugh about the difficulties I had had a month earlier I have learned that it doesnt need any dramatic signs to consider or to pursue your vocation. There are simple things to consider the understanding of your call. Primarily, your openness to your calling, then your understanding of your calling, then the acceptance of your calling, then you moldiness embrace your calling, lastly, your love to your calling.I believed these can be enough reason for you to enter priesthood. And, I considered this simple appreciation would be the best sign but is a great call given to me by God Holy Spirit (Mahal na Ingkong). Just to wrap up Theres a lot of discussion about how much our Church needs priests and religious, and I think we can all see that. But its a mistake to talk about a vocations crisisbecause that implies that there arent enough vocations to the priesthood.But Christ told us that he would never leave his Church without shepherds, and so he is definitely s till calling many, many issue men to the priesthood, and he calls many, many young women to the religious life. The crisis is not in the number of men and women who God calls, the crisis is in the tiny percentage of those young men and women who actually respond to that call. Thats the crisis. I thank Our Blessed Mother Mary and St. Maria Virginia for her guidance throughout this process, which I like to call the Origin of my vocation.She has blessed me with so many graces that have aided me in finding the path that God Holy Spirit (Mahal Na Ingkong) has laid out for me within the religious section of my adolescence age and more importantly, within the priesthood of Christ, her Son. Although I may not recognize her celestial assistance, I am most grateful that she has carried me here so that I may go through Gods purpose for giving me life. I thank God for His countless blessings and patience with my stubbornness and desire to fulfill my will. I thank God in particular for leadin g me to let loose His call.