Maybe I’ll add a boldened warning along the lines of: “If I knew you in high school, GO AWAY NOW.”

I cover Phoenix’s Catholic beat for Examiner.com. You’re certainly welcome to visit and check out my stuff, if you find yourself with some free time.

I keep seeing your comments everywhere here on BH. Are you on FB?

Jan: I’ll definitely pray for charity; I appreciate your help. By the way, I left a comment on your blog, suggesting a story you might pitch.

Max

I convinced myself to leave the convent for exactly the same reasons you are giving for not going in the first place: for a poor abused girl such as I was, the convent was heaven. Tht didn’t make it the wrong place for me. It could have focused my talents in service of the Church. Instead I’m afraid I focused them quite elsewhere. If you’d like to read about it, visit Please Don’t Ask on http://thewhitelilyblog.wordpress.com

I cried writing that piece, but people think it is funny and disagree entirely with my conclusion and think my life in the world was useful and wonderful. But I do not agree–and I really think you might give it lots of prayer before you decide you aren’t good enough and that it looks like some kind of copout. BS. I’ll pray for you at mass Sunday. (Thank God, I found my way back to the church!)

But forget the novus ordo orders; go somewhere traditional and they’ll make you deliver value for the wonderful life you’ll live. then you’ll feel ok about it!

Thank you, too, for acknowledging that a certain measure of privilege attaches itself to the consecrated life. Back in the old days, when joining a mendicant order meant hunkering down in the Porziuncola (or tramping barefoot across the Pyrenees, being heckled by Cathars), it was a life that would have terrified even Les Stroud, the original Survivorman. Now? Not so much.

Amie: I’m glad you found my discernment process as funny as I did. Most of truly honest pieces, I’ve found, follow the basic theme of: “Modern narcissist confronts ancient tradition of charity and self-denial, and finds himself flummoxed.” Glad to know someone can stand to read them.

Would it be in the cards for you to go back to school for an advanced degree to be a teacher/professor? Perhaps in a field related in some way to the priesthood (counseling, theology, Scripture, etc?)

I just get the feeling from reading your articles that young people would really respond to a teacher with both your insights and sense of humor. That is a gift.

Best wishes to you!

I was impressed when I read your post. Discernment is usually not easy (If it is, then you’re probably doing it wrong!).

Discernment isn’t finding a way to strong-arm God into saying yes to what we’ve already decided to do.

Discernment is assessing, addressing, and listening, listening, listening.

You discerned your way into the Catholic Church. And we are blessed to have you!

You discerned your way through a choice between two goods: priestly and lay ministry. We will be blessed by your choice! To see something attractive – the privilege of a certain lifestyle and the distinction that comes with affiliation with a well-established group – and to choose “the demands of the world” instead – is courageous.

You have chosen a difficult road, but the God who called you to initial faith and then to the Catholic community walks with you. May Jesus bless your creative heart.