Why I CHOSE to Become an Unmarried Priest W/ Fr. Michael O'Loughlin 

I don't think I'd be a great priest. But I think God's calling me to do so, I'm very nervous about it

Great video (and interview as a whole)! I’m wondering if Father could help give advice on dating while discerning priesthood. I’m not in seminary yet but barring any life changing relationship I will be in a few years. How do I approach dating and how open do I need to be to my significant other about my discernment? Thanks!

Yes, I am considering a vocation to the priesthood. I would like to know how to become an Eastern rite priest. My mother’s side is Maronite and Melkite so am unsure which rite I belong to. My father’s side is Orthodox so that further complicates things. Could one be bi-ritual?

@@ΆγιοςΙερώνυμος-χ2γ yes

i am a ruthenian catholic who is decerning going to seminary and becomeing a priest, prayers are helpful!

Honored to hear that. Mind me asking why?

For me it's Matt's show and Ascension Presents Simply because it is authentic I mean the real stuff that actually happens in the lives of Catholics are spoken about here and it gives this feeling that like the struggles we go through are not like stuff that happen only to you, that they are normal to human life Thank you for the authenticity, we need it

Calvina Loi yep! We will fall in and out of “love” that is based solely on surface experience. Our Lord blesses and empowers true commitment. We fight to the end for our own commitments, yet discern wisdom and patience with the failures of others. Thanks for sharing.

Why?

Thank you for the correction. Changing now.

Please explain the “problems” that occurred with the arrival of a priest who was following the norms of his Church.

For Eastern rite priests?

Lol not me.They are out there.

“Nobody in the power structure of the Church is a woman!” Please show me one woman who Jesus put into the power structure of the Church.

@@DF_UniatePapist As I understand it Jesus was a traveling teacher and miracle man and we don't even know if he had a Church in mind seeing that the gospels were written so much later. Don't think there was much of a structure in his time.

@@marymolloy562 The only sources we have about his life and teachings clearly say that he had a Church in mind.

It means to start discerning. For major decisions it takes time to make a good discernment. Notice the fruits. Peace is of God. Disturbance is a trick. Except when we are living very sinful lives, then we might feel disturbed at the nagging pull our conscience. But normally you can starting discerning based on what brings you more peace, because peace is of the Holy Spirit. Not the false peace of not having any problems in life, but more toward the peace that surpasses understanding, where even if I have problems in life and I still have some doubts, by God's grace I am still at peace with the decision. ---- To learn more about this you can speak with your parish pastor, find a spiritual director, or start reading some of the Discernment Principles from St. Ignatius of Loyola.

It usually takes time, and the guidance of a spiritual mentor. Over time, I was able to feel the difference between “surface“ and “deep“ peace and anxiety. There will always be surface peace or anxiety, and these are rarely considered, especially when it comes to a lifelong vocation. My recommendation, is to choose one or the other, marriage or celibacy in this case, and either date (if you choose to discern marriage) or refrain from dating (if you choose to discern celibacy) for an extended period of time. Pray daily, and share everything with your spiritual director. Once you are able to perceive the deeper peace with the decision, take the next step. If you perceive the deeper anxiety, switch to the other vocation and do it all over again.

R., you listen to those quick thoughts that enter your head. You ask God about it, ask if He is talking to you. Ask if it is your own thinking. You get answers- and God will repeat louder if you ask Him to. Keep talking each time and be aware how you are feeling when it happens. Clarifying in your mind gets easier the more you do this. Pretty soon dialoguing with God gets easier and easier. He is there to help you so ask for it. God bless. 🙂