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Dec 29th, 2019
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 576
OrthoDixieBoy Member
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OrthoDixieBoy Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 576 |
I have contacted Archbishop Gregory of the Atlanta Archdiocese via email informing him of my intent to begin discerning a religious vocation and asking for advice and guidance. I have many issues to work through before I can make a final decision and I anticipate this will take some time. However, I am currently 37 years old and need to make a decision asap. As I am just beginning the discerning process I welcome your advice, suggestions and counsel. I also request your prayers! Many of them and often. I have not disclosed my intentions to my parents or to my best friend for personal reasons and do not intend to do so until my plans are set in stone.
I do not believe I am called, at this time to the priesthood. I just want to be a simple brother. The Order has yet to be decided and it is on this that I need the most guidance. I am open to both Eastern and Western orders so those of you who know me, please make recommendations via private message. Other Bishops, Archbishops, Eparchy's, Patriarchs and Popes that I should contact, please let me know.
Above all, I repeat, please pray for me. I have said NO to the Lord on this issue for a very long time (Since 1985) and I've got a lot of catching up to do. Many thanks for your prayers.
Jason
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,994 Likes: 10
Moderator Member
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Moderator Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,994 Likes: 10 |
Dear Lord help our beloved forum brother, Jason, find his spiritual and religious home...enlighten him, and guide him Lord, and above all, bless him always!
In Christ our Lord,
Alice
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,528
Grateful Member
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Grateful Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,528 |
Prayers for Jason and his discernment !!!
Lord have mercy !!!
May the Theotokos intercede on his behalf !
-- John
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,701 Likes: 6
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,701 Likes: 6 |
Prayers for all of your intentions, Jason.
CS
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,398
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,398 |
God bless you Jason. You know you have my prayers.
Joe
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,225 Likes: 1
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,225 Likes: 1 |
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 5,724 Likes: 2
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Joined: Jun 2002
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Prayers. If you are only 37 you still have plenty of time.
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,930
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Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,930 |
Go with God, brother!
Protected by your coming, O Mother of God, well-believing people solemnly celebrate today. Gazing upon your immaculate image they humbly say: "Watch over us with your noble protection and deliver us from all evil by asking your Son, Christ our God, to save our souls." (Troparion)
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 576
OrthoDixieBoy Member
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OrthoDixieBoy Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 576 |
Thanks to you all for your prayers and encouragement and suggestions. I'll keep you posted on my progress.
God bless,
Jason
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,518
Catholic Gyoza Member
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Catholic Gyoza Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,518 |
Jason,
I offer my prayers for you and your discernment. Your posts are thoughtful and you would make a good teacher in any vocation the Lord has in store for you.
God Bless You,
Dr. Eric
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 951 Likes: 1
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 951 Likes: 1 |
Jason, brother in Christ,
Prayer for your good thought of consecrating your soul to God, by a holy vocacation.
Do not think that you are 37 etc., right now is your redemption, by Lord Jesus Christ. Now it happens all.
God is love, brother. And the love has only one time grammar: now, otherwise it would not be love.
Give with courage your life into the hands of God and work for Him and all the souls.
God cover you with mercy now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amin.
Christ is Risen!
Marian!
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 730
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 730 |
Jason,
First find where your heart lies. Being open to too many avenues might only confuse you.
Like job searching, mass mailings of one's resume or answering all the newspaper ads will only wear you down.
Network. Find those people you most admire and get their honest opinion and advice. Many will be willing to tell you which seminaries or colleges are good and which ones are flakey.
With Catholic clergy in such high demand, you might be able to negotiate for something better to help you in your ministry.
Don't limit yourself too soon to any one particular form of ministry. You just might end up being a priest in the long run.
Fellow Christian,
Ed Hashinsky
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 576
OrthoDixieBoy Member
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OrthoDixieBoy Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 576 |
Marian: Thank you brother for your kind words. This is only one more thing now that we have in common!  Ed: You are right. Getting info on so many avenues has been overwhelming. But I trudge on. I am not opposed to being a priest, I simply don't want to begin my religious life as one. I'm fully open to the priesthood later if that's what the Lord wants. Thanks Jason
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 576
OrthoDixieBoy Member
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OrthoDixieBoy Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 576 |
I want to offer my thanks to those who offered prayers for me in discernment. Having corresponded with the Diocesan vocations director it seems clear that, at least in this diocese, I will be expected to procure an annulment for my marriage before I can pursue any sort of vocation in the church. This is not something I am currently willing to do. Therefore, as far as I am concerned, my discernment is presently over.
Jason
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,225 Likes: 1
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,225 Likes: 1 |
There is nothing wrong with being a Oblate etc...
james
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