My aunt has a huge house and she threw a family gathering thing. The catholic church I used to go to regularly up until 3 or 4 months ago is a few blocks away, and she invited to the priest of the spanish mass over to the cookout. I ended up sitting next to him somehow without knowing it and he started talking to me. He had seen me before often enough, but I guess since it's a big church (I'd say there are about 600 or 700 people at mass) he didnt notice that I hadnt been there in a while. What I found really odd was that he told me he saw priest material in me. He asked me if I had ever heard God speak to me in my head. After kindly telling him that I hadn't, he asked me if I was sure. After assuring him he asked me if I had any interest in being a priest. I kindly no'd myself out of that to. So is this how it's supposed to work, I'm a believer and then God's voice pops into my head?

Not really sure, never felt the urge. However, the number of priest had dwindled significantly in the past 10 years. Pretty soon they will start recruiting like the military, going door to door, school to school.

its a calling I guess. Faith and all that

Maybe he just liked the way your butt looked.

Seriously, I suppose a few of them actually buy the Catholic mythos, but I suspect most of them go into it because they are incompetant to live in the real world.

My high school English teacher (awesome guy) is an atheist. But, to better understand the mindset of priests, he joined a...well, a 'priest school' he dropped out in his 4th year.

This guy knows everything.

^ I bet he read a lot of Robert Anton Wilson.

I actually considered becoming a priest when I was younger, but I no longer follow the catholic faith. Back then I felt an incredible connection to God and the christian beliefs. It was beyond anything I had ever felt before and it made me want to spend my life telling others of this good news. I am no longer christian and in a way unhappy with my new religious beliefs, but I can't live with a church that has wronged so many people

quote:Originally posted by ArmsMerchant:

^ I bet he read a lot of Robert Anton Wilson.

Who is that/what is he known for?

quote:Originally posted by AstronomyDomine:

Who is that/what is he known for?

RAW is God. Go buy prometheus rising, RIGHT NOW.

quote:Originally posted by Zay:

RAW is God. Go buy prometheus rising, RIGHT NOW.

I will, sounds interesting.

Thanks ArmsMerchant & Zay

I know one guy that is currently studying to become a priest. Ive actually known him since we were about 8 or 9 years old, we went to the same grade school and high school. I can tell you he's always been very religious, went to church every sunday, joined church youth groups, the whole 9 yards.

I cant tell you exactly what made him decide to become a priest as opposed to just being a very religious non-clergyman.

Part of it is his deep faith, part of that faith seems to stem from his compulsive need to constantly be busy and involved in something, maybe he just happened to latch on to the church, I dont know.

As far as I know, he never had an epiphany or had god talk to him, he's just always been really involved with the church.

I've never had God speak to me, but I have had a dream about being crucified along side Christ. Which I thought was quite interesting.

I considered it once, though not very seriously. Part of it was wanting to be as "holy" as possible; a layman might be devoted to God, but a priest is on a whole new level. It's a very big sign that you're really devoted to the religion... a great way to show it. It's the same reason I've always felt closer to Catholicism over normal Christianity; Protestants seem kinda... lacklustre. Oh sure, you can read the Bible, but Catholicism has so much more: rituals and sacraments and confirmations and whatnot. Becoming a priest is just an extension of that... a way to serve God with all your being.

Another reason was, like Arms said, that I'm not very good at the real world. http://www.totse.com/bbs/tongue.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/tongue.gif) I think I'd make a great priest; I'm intelligent, a good orator, eloquent, gifted in philosophy and theology, obsessive-compulsive (therefore a big lover of ritual), etc. On the other hand, I make a horrible Normal Person... I'm clumsy, shy, indecisive, and fearful.

I finally decided not to, though, because no matter how much I may want to fool myself I just can't believe in Christianity. Of any sort. I still intend to get myself as educated in Catholicism as possible, though. http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif)

[This message has been edited by Twisted_Ferret (edited 11-10-2006).]

I've considered it, and I still think about it sometimes...I think its different for everyone, but for me it was sort of the whole thing. I could devote myself to becoming the best I can be, I could study theology/philosophy, I would be able to be a part of something very beautiful everyday, and the biggest thing was seeing myself bringing people closer to God.

ANYBODY THAT BELIEVES IN JESUS FUCKING CHRIST IS A FOOL HARDY BITCH.

FAGGOT, EAT YOUR MOTHER'S COCK.

Usually somebody is called to priesthood. The voice of God in your head would definitely be a strong calling, but not neccessarily the only way He would call you to it. The dwindling numbers in priests also relate to people refusing His call, turning away from the Faith, and of course, the second Vatican Council didn't help - you notice that among Traditional Catholic groups, especially LaFebvrists (sp?) have no shortage of young priests.

quote:Originally posted by Zay:

How do Catholic priests decide that they want to become priests?

When they see a choirboy and get a boner.