jeff himes professes solemn vows

Becoming A Priest

What are you doing the rest of your life?  What is your purpose? Is there something more?  Have you considered a vocation to the Catholic priesthood?

Becoming a Catholic priest is a tremendous commitment and it can be a challenging choice, especially in today’s world.  Becoming a Catholic priest is a response to a call to serve God’s people and to minister to His flock.

There are many options for men considering becoming a Catholic priest.  From diocesan priests to religious orders like The Norbertines or the Jesuits, men with a vocation to the priesthood will find a diocese, a religious community or a religious order that will provide them with a way of life that best fits their vocation. 

Follow these basic steps when discerning your vocation and considering a life as a Catholic Priest.

  1. Pray.  Make time for prayer. It isn’t easy in a world with intense distractions.  But praying is like going to the gym. For it to be effective, you need to be committed and disciplined.
  2. Sacraments.  Receive the Eucharist.  Go to Confession. Experiencing the sacraments is the way to experience God’s grace in your life.
  3. Go to Mass.  For Catholics, Mass is the epicenter of life.  Attend Mass weekly and seek out opportunities to go to Mass daily. 
  4. Research.  Review options and consider what type of life you want to live and what type of work you will find fulfilling.  Do you want to serve the poor or teach at a university? Do you want to work in a parish or live in a monetary? Take  the following quiz [link] to help you discern.
  5. Spiritual Direction.  Seek out a spiritual director in your area.  He or she can help you clarify your vocation and they will help you bolster your prayer life.
  6. Visit.  Visit different religious communities.  Go on vocation retreats or discovery days.  Contact a Vocation Director and get connected with programs.
  7. Take a step.  Today, we are inundated with options and choices that we suffer from analysis paralysis.  People, especially men, feel like they need to make the right choice the first time. But this often leads to making no choice or just staying status quo.  Take a step to formally consider a vocation. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain. 

If you are interested in learning about the Norbertines at Daylesford Abbey, contact Abbot Domenic A. Rossi for further information at drossi@daylesford.org or call 610-647-2530.