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Catholics/vocation? calling? confuse
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Dear Father:
It is a blessing to have you here on all experts. I got some questions for you, but before I'll give you first a short background of who am I.
I lived in the Philippines, 21 yr old guy, I already finished BS in biology but currently still studying my 2nd degree in medical lab. science.
I was born as a Roman Catholic, I became very devout member of catholic church but because my parents (although catholics) who dislike my nature of being very religious punished me when I was still around 12 yrs old branding me as fanatical. although they are also Catholics they don't want me to be very devote and against of religious vocations. When I was a kid I dream of becoming a priest, but my parents forced me to embrace the medical field and secular studies.So they enrolled me in a protestant university for my high school education, then I converted to protestantism and my parents again got mad, I became a very devout protestant until I finished my college in a state university. Then I attended medical school but because of too much stress and the feeling that I'm not meant for it though I like it, I left medicine and that's why I ended studying medical lab science which gives me a better situation compared in medical school and of course this is one of my dreams before. Lately, I don't know how, but I gradually returned to Catholicism, I prayed the rosary daily, attend the Sunday Masses, took communion and planning to do my penance for it has been too long since I've done penance.
As I assess my situation and myself, though I tried myself to destroy within me the catholic faith, but it survive and bloom again in my heart, furthermore, I am very interested and drawn to religious thoughts and practices especially those of our Catholic faith.
I am so drawn to the Carmelites and their spiritual practices. Every time I read the stories of carmelite saints and these makes my heart light. Father I'm confused, if I am really called to be a member of the Carmelite... A catholic nun, a new friend of mine, gave me an insight about vocation and it helps a little, but I need more advice and clarifications. Moreover, I know that my family will not like the idea that I became a carmelite religious someday, although deep inside me I have that desire.
Please give me some insight father, I'm so confused, but I know that this might be a calling. My plan is, because I sense that if ever this is a call, I'm not yet ready, I will just finish my 2nd degree which will commence hopefully this 2013 and after it, if the desire inside of me to be a carmelite still lingers i'll enter the carmelite order, here in the philippines... or if we migrate to Canada then the Carmelites in Canada...
I need your counsel over my situation Father.
thank you very much!!!
Hi, Hugh:
Merry Christmas!
Thank you for sharing your current situaiton with studies and discerning a possible vocation with the Carmelites. This is something you will need to continue to discern in consultation with the vocations persons of the Carmelite Religious Order. If this is meant to be, then God will surely provide you with the insights you will need to continue your studies and formation where God is calling you to. I wish you the very best. May God bless you!
Fr. Timothy Johnson
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Fr. Timothy Johnson
Expertise
A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.
Experience
I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.
Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)
Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology;
MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary;
2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality.
BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy;
BA - Liberal Arts;
AA - General Studies.
Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15.
Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office.
I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church.
Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.
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