The fact that one even discerns their vocation is a good indication they will be successful in whatever vocation they are called to, and ultimately respond to do it admirably.
Thank you for this, Suan. I'm also going through the application process with a religious order. Currently in the psych eval phase. Definitely intense!
I’m so grateful for this video. I’ve been wondering what goes through the mind of a seminarian when they decide to discern out after being in the seminary for so long, especially when they come to realise they might be called to marriage later on in their senior years. They’ve built up a public image, the stigma and fear that people will talk and think they are weak or a disgrace and they also have to figure out what they are to do next, especially if they are a foreign seminarian. I think at some point it does break since most of these men are truly passionate about the faith, it takes a good amount of courage and humility to come to terms with it and trust in God to show them what is next, and especially to know that their families and community do genuinely want what’s best for them.
One of the most accurate and honest appraisals I've seen! I'll be sharing this with people I know discerning with the Order - very helpful! Thank you and God bless! - Br. Thomas, OP (a son of the English province)
Even as a non religious person we need to be willing to accept the plan God sends to us. It's always going to be an act of self denial and obedience. You are right though if God's plan's differ from you plans you have to trust that HE knows best and actually knows you and what will lead you to true joy. But how hard is that to walk out. That is what makes what Mary and Joseph did so profound. They both were totally humble to God's plan. God give us the wisdom and strength to trust in you.
But a strong sign you are doing the Will of a God is the gift of peace. You soul is at peace, even if you don’t know or understand what God will ask of you.
@@viviennedunbar3374 i don't know about that. Sometimes God asks me to do stuff that I don't want to do. Even as I am doing it I have a feeling of "do I have too" But Gods will be done. I just thought of the garden of Gethsemane where Jesus doesn't seem so at peace but He is going to do the Father's Will regardless of his feelings.
@@MrPeach1 We have all gone through great trials which were out of our hands (such as bereavement, illness, job loss) and we all have to bear our cross, no one escapes suffering but if you are living a life of prayer we understand that God is with us in our suffering. Jesus asked for the cup to be taken from him but then continued on the Via Delarosa. In this case of course Suan is referring to discernment where we DO have an active choice, having unwanted trials isn’t the same as joyfully discerning marriage or the religious life. We can attain a sense of peace when we make a major decision for our state in life, if we don’t experience that we may need to go through further discernment. We can still have anxiety but feel confident we are doing God’s will. Gods wants married couples to have children, that doesn’t mean I wasn’t apprehensive when pregnant and giving birth.
Suan, whatever you do, I beg of you to never lose contact with St. Isidores. Such good things are happening there, and I’m sure you have a lot to offer them. As a former student there years ago that fell off a cliff morally during that time, that time is so important for their formation. God bless you and I’m praying for you.
Thanks for this wonderful sharing Suan. Regardless of your vocation, the Church will sure be blessed to have you! Really enjoy watching your videos. You definitely are a very good speaker! Looking forward to listen to more of your Catholicism videos!
Just watched your video. I saw my friend, Brother Barnabas (aka Roger M.) was discerning with you! What a small, holy world it is! I enjoyed, very much, hearing your story of discernment. Well done!
Thank you for this. My son is in seminary and as a convert this helped me understand. I don’t want to pester him with questions about his thought process. I agree the evaluations are rigorous which impressed me. I will pray for you!
I listened to you on UA-cam for quite awhile before you mentioned that your were going into religious life. I was always impressed by your knowledge. I'm glad to know that I'll be hearing those insightful presentations again.
Dying to self is the ultimate test of one's spirituality. It holds the very essence of the purgative, illuminative and unitive in a single commitment. The priesthood certainly is held as a clear step in that direction. But given the abuses and scandals we see, it is certainly not the only way. May you discern your calling according to His will. God Bless your journey. Be joyful!
Great video, Suan 👍. You have a gift for sharing your story in humility and honesty. I know this vid will bless many men who are discerning. God bless you, brother.
This is the first time I listened to your program. I have collected all the books on formation that I could find, from the Trappists & the Carthusians. Michael Casey says in his book *The Art of Winning Souls, Pastoral Care of Novices* that it's more discerning Who You Already Are. Monastic life is the expression of what you have always been, who you have always been. It's the discovery or uncovering of what's always been there. I would say you never lose this. It reveals what you have always been, so you never can really lose it. You carry it wherever you go, whether within the monastery or outside it. It is just revealed, manifested, nourished within the monastery. I would say that is true for me. I began reading Thomas Merton's *New Seeds of Contemplation* at age 14. My awakening continued. At age 21 I became a nun In the Cloistered Contemplative Poor Clare Collettines, made simple vows. Left after 6 years. (Worked until age 70. ) Was a third order Carmelite of Teresian reform for 15 years life professed OCDS. Then transferred to the third order Dominicans for 15 years, life professed OP. I was commissioned an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist in my parish after the training program. Then by accident I was introduced to the Russian Orthodox Church at age 61 & was a catechumen for 1.5 years & baptized & Chrismated. I was a novice of M. Maria for 5 years, then Spiritual daughter to Bishop Irenei ( now of London). Then I found a ROCOR Camaldolese hermit to whom I was a novice for 2 years. I am now 76 & live a hermit life as an Orthodox Christian. I have tried to find Whom I Am. We really only find ourselves by looking at Christ Who says I am, " Look Who I Am."
Everyone: I think it’s important to recognize that most people are called to marriage and the rate of marriage is decreasing dramatically, so fulfilling your call to a Sacramental Catholic Marriage is a very evangelical call in our culture.
I went through the entire application process twice as I applied to 2 different communities. All of it, interviews, transcripts, psych tests, physical, dental, letters of recommendation, financial, autobiography, clothing lists, photos, dowry, visits, discussions, sifting, questions, etc. Disposal of all my worldly possessions, I even planned to return. I endured hardship, poverty, heartaches, disappointments , abuse by nuns. I saw it all. 25 nuns left my monastery. When the last aged nuns were at last transferred, the monastery was closed.
You mention learning techniques to shut off your brain and allow your heart to speak while in chapel. Can you recommend a book on this? Can you do a stream on these specific techniques that you learned?
Hey Suan! Watching the stream after the fact. Love your openness in talking about your journey with the Dominicans. Here's a question that came to mind: So religious life is out of the question for you, but have you thought of staying involved with the Dominicans via the Third Order? That way you can continue to live out their spirituality and be connected to the Order in some way, while still doing what you believe God has called you to do.
I wonder, now that you are no longer 'under the jurisdiction' of the OP, did you have to get their permission to share to us some details of your time with the OP Central? God bless all the clergy, and the Holy Catholic Church! 🕊️🙏
It sounds like you are living in integrity and living full God given masculinity. I think what you have done is really noble. I am a protestant, but I am no longer a pastor because I was not living in integrity. I was being pushed by my denomination to be the next young mega church pastor.
Not sure if St Margaret Mary Alacoque is the saint mentioned 1:15:33 in connection with obeying superiors, but it reminded me of these passages from her Autobiography: _52. He rejects the works performed through self-will._ Although His pure and penetrating (Eyes) discover even the smallest faults against charity and humility in order to correct them severely, nevertheless nothing can be compared to a want of obedience either against Superiors or the Rules; and the smallest reply to Superiors, manifesting repugnance to obey, is unbearable to Him in the soul of a religious. “Thou deceivest thyself,” He said to me, “in thinking to please Me by actions and mortifications chosen by self-will which, rather than yield, prefers to make Superiors bend their will to it. O! be assured, that I reject all such things as fruits corrupted by self-will which I abhor in the soul of a religious. I would rather that she should take all her little comforts through obedience, than overburden herself with austerities and fasts through her self-will.” When I happen to make such mortifications and penances of my own choice without His order or that of my Superior, He does not even allow me to offer them to Him. He reproves me for them, imposing a penance upon me as He does for my other failings, for each of which there is a particular punishment in the purgatory wherein He purifies me, in order to make me less unworthy of His divine Presence, of His communications and operations, for everything in me is done by Him. Having on one occasion finished taking the discipline for the space of an Ave Maris Stella, as I had been ordered, He said to me: “This is My share,” but as I still continued, He added: “And that is the devil’s,” which made me cease at once. Another time when I was taking it for the Holy Souls in Purgatory and wanted to exceed the permission given me, they immediately surrounded me complaining that I was striking them. This made me resolve to die rather than overstep, ever so little, the limits imposed by obedience. He afterwards made me do penance for my fault. But nothing seemed difficult to me, because, at that time, He kept all the rigor of my troubles and sufferings absorbed in the sweetness of His love, which sweetness I often besought Him to withdraw from me, that I might relish the bitterness of His anguish and dereliction, of His agony and opprobrium and of His other torments. But He told me that I was to submit indifferently to all His various intentions and not lay down the law for Him. “I will make thee understand hereafter,” He said, “that I am a wise and learned Director, Who knows how to lead souls safely when they abandon themselves to Me and forget themselves.” _47. She endeavors to turn aside from extraordinary ways and complains to Our Lord._ As I held nothing back from my Superior and my Mistress, although it often happened that I understood nothing of what I told them, they impressed upon me that extraordinary ways were not suitable for the daughters of Holy Mary. I was deeply grieved at this and made every effort to turn aside from this way, but in vain, for the Spirit which led me had already gained such power over mine, that not only my mind but all my interior powers were wholly absorbed in Him and I was no longer mistress of them. I did my utmost to follow the method of prayer and other practices which were taught me, but I was not able to retain anything. It was in vain that I read my points of meditation, for all vanished from my mind, and I could neither learn nor retain anything except what my Divine Master taught me. This was a cause of no little suffering to me, because they [i.e., her superiors] did their best to destroy His action within me, and I was ordered to do likewise.-I made every effort to resist Him, and followed minutely all that obedience demanded of me in order to withdraw me from His power which, however, rendered all my attempts useless. I then poured out my heart to Him, saying: “Why, O my Sovereign Master, why not leave me in the ordinary way of the daughters of Holy Mary? Hast Thou then brought me to Thy holy house to destroy me? I beseech Thee, give these extraordinary graces to such chosen souls as will correspond with them better and glorify Thee more than I do, for I only resist Thee. All I wish for is Thy love and Thy Cross, that suffices for me to become a good religious, which is all I desire.” “Let us,” He replied, “continue the conflict, My daughter, I am quite content to do so; we shall see who will be victorious, the Creator or His creature; Strength or weakness, the All-powerful or powerlessness; but whoever is conqueror will remain so for ever.” This filled me with deep confusion, whereupon He said: “Be assured that I am not by any means offended by all these struggles and the opposition thou dost make Me through obedience for which I gave My life; but I will teach thee that I am the absolute Master of My gifts as also of My creatures, and nothing will be able to prevent Me from carrying out My designs. Therefore, not only do I desire that thou shouldst do what thy Superiors command, but also that thou shouldst do nothing of all that I order thee without their consent. I love obedience, and without it no one can please Me.” This was so agreeable to my Superior that she told me to abandon myself to His guidance; which I did, and my soul, which had hithrto suffered a cruel agony, was now filled with peace and joy.
Is there any way you could share those exercises in front of the blessed sacrament? When you mentioned tending to stay in your head and needing to feel and express emotions, I definitely related and want to work on that. If you're comfortable sharing, great, if not, I understand. Thanks.
I had a journal and would write until my thoughts ran out. After the "fatigue" of writing, I would stare at the Blessed Sacrament and try to form a short mantra that I would repeat over and over like, "Jesus, I trust in you." or "My only obligation is to love you." Once I "fatigued" of that, I would ask God the question, "Should I stay?" and add as much detail as I could to the question and be as reverent as possible when asking for His will.
So interesting to hear about the rigorous canon law process! Are men or women who (using the examples listed) have killed someone and/or procured an abortion at that stage forbidden and ruled out from joining religious life?
As an Assistant Director of Seminarian Formation in a Society of Apostolic Life, I know that it is possible to get a dispensation from the canonical impediment to Holy Orders due to procuring a direct abortion. But the petition for such a dispensation must be made to the Holy See (not your local Bishop) and it may or may not be granted, based on the circumstances. A community/diocese may admit such a candidate with the understanding that they may be dismissed if the dispensation is not granted.
The loss of your work on YT and elsewhere would have an incredible negative impact on people like me and leave a hole in catholic Apologetics that, right now, you alone are filling.
The religious life is objectively more holy by definition since holiness literally means "set apart." Mean king? Draw the human body? Stick figure not sufficient? lol. The naked human body? If it's a test, I think I'd try to ask "Male or female?" and "Michaelangelo anatomically correct?"
He is a very young guy so this could just be a bum in the road. No one, not even the saints, discerns well. He might just need to suffer and become holier.
I am a Vincentian seminarian. I am in my second year of philosophy. Pray for me..
The fact that one even discerns their vocation is a good indication they will be successful in whatever vocation they are called to, and ultimately respond to do it admirably.
Thank you for this, Suan. I'm also going through the application process with a religious order. Currently in the psych eval phase. Definitely intense!
I’m so grateful for this video. I’ve been wondering what goes through the mind of a seminarian when they decide to discern out after being in the seminary for so long, especially when they come to realise they might be called to marriage later on in their senior years. They’ve built up a public image, the stigma and fear that people will talk and think they are weak or a disgrace and they also have to figure out what they are to do next, especially if they are a foreign seminarian. I think at some point it does break since most of these men are truly passionate about the faith, it takes a good amount of courage and humility to come to terms with it and trust in God to show them what is next, and especially to know that their families and community do genuinely want what’s best for them.
One of the most accurate and honest appraisals I've seen! I'll be sharing this with people I know discerning with the Order - very helpful! Thank you and God bless! - Br. Thomas, OP (a son of the English province)
Well done Suan for being honest and discussing a difficult topic. Your courage is appreciated and inspirational
Even as a non religious person we need to be willing to accept the plan God sends to us. It's always going to be an act of self denial and obedience. You are right though if God's plan's differ from you plans you have to trust that HE knows best and actually knows you and what will lead you to true joy. But how hard is that to walk out. That is what makes what Mary and Joseph did so profound. They both were totally humble to God's plan. God give us the wisdom and strength to trust in you.
But a strong sign you are doing the Will of a God is the gift of peace. You soul is at peace, even if you don’t know or understand what God will ask of you.
@@viviennedunbar3374 i don't know about that. Sometimes God asks me to do stuff that I don't want to do. Even as I am doing it I have a feeling of "do I have too" But Gods will be done. I just thought of the garden of Gethsemane where Jesus doesn't seem so at peace but He is going to do the Father's Will regardless of his feelings.
@@MrPeach1 We have all gone through great trials which were out of our hands (such as bereavement, illness, job loss) and we all have to bear our cross, no one escapes suffering but if you are living a life of prayer we understand that God is with us in our suffering. Jesus asked for the cup to be taken from him but then continued on the Via Delarosa. In this case of course Suan is referring to discernment where we DO have an active choice, having unwanted trials isn’t the same as joyfully discerning marriage or the religious life. We can attain a sense of peace when we make a major decision for our state in life, if we don’t experience that we may need to go through further discernment. We can still have anxiety but feel confident we are doing God’s will. Gods wants married couples to have children, that doesn’t mean I wasn’t apprehensive when pregnant and giving birth.
Suan, whatever you do, I beg of you to never lose contact with St. Isidores. Such good things are happening there, and I’m sure you have a lot to offer them. As a former student there years ago that fell off a cliff morally during that time, that time is so important for their formation. God bless you and I’m praying for you.
Happy birthday, Suan! May God continue to bless you, and continue to bless us through you!
Thanks for this wonderful sharing Suan. Regardless of your vocation, the Church will sure be blessed to have you! Really enjoy watching your videos. You definitely are a very good speaker! Looking forward to listen to more of your Catholicism videos!
This is brilliant. Thank you Suan. I'm sure putting this out there is not easy.
As one who wanted to enter religious life because it was the higher state, Suan was 100% correct about that not being a great motive
Thank you for doing this, Suan, considering how personal this is. I think it will be a very helpful resource for many discerning :)
Just wanted to say, what a lovely person you are Suan
Happy Birthday Suan!
This was incredibly helpful for me in my discernment, thank you so much for your openness to sharing your experience Suan!
Just watched your video. I saw my friend, Brother Barnabas (aka Roger M.) was discerning with you! What a small, holy world it is! I enjoyed, very much, hearing your story of discernment. Well done!
Thank you for this. My son is in seminary and as a convert this helped me understand. I don’t want to pester him with questions about his thought process. I agree the evaluations are rigorous which impressed me. I will pray for you!
I have submitted my application. Very informative video. Cleared a lot things, also new questions have risen. Thanks. and Very Happy Birthday.
it's like i experienced my own application for the seminary. great lecture Mr. Sonna
Enlightening! Thank you!
I listened to you on UA-cam for quite awhile before you mentioned that your were going into religious life. I was always impressed by your knowledge. I'm glad to know that I'll be hearing those insightful presentations again.
working to hopefully enter the dominican novitiate(south) soon, pray for me
Dying to self is the ultimate test of one's spirituality. It holds the very essence of the purgative, illuminative and unitive in a single commitment. The priesthood certainly is held as a clear step in that direction. But given the abuses and scandals we see, it is certainly not the only way.
May you discern your calling according to His will. God Bless your journey. Be joyful!
23:50 if you could make a video on this part alone (nature of prayer), I would find that very helpful.
Thank you very much for this video Suan, it was very educating!
Very informative for many people discerning life vocations. Thank you.
Great video, Suan 👍. You have a gift for sharing your story in humility and honesty. I know this vid will bless many men who are discerning. God bless you, brother.
This is the first time I listened to your program. I have collected all the books on formation that I could find, from the Trappists & the Carthusians. Michael Casey says in his book *The Art of Winning Souls, Pastoral Care of Novices* that it's more discerning Who You Already Are. Monastic life is the expression of what you have always been, who you have always been. It's the discovery or uncovering of what's always been there. I would say you never lose this. It reveals what you have always been, so you never can really lose it. You carry it wherever you go, whether within the monastery or outside it. It is just revealed, manifested, nourished within the monastery.
I would say that is true for me. I began reading Thomas Merton's *New Seeds of Contemplation* at age 14. My awakening continued. At age 21 I became a nun In the Cloistered Contemplative Poor Clare Collettines, made simple vows. Left after 6 years. (Worked until age 70. ) Was a third order Carmelite of Teresian reform for 15 years life professed OCDS. Then transferred to the third order Dominicans for 15 years, life professed OP. I was commissioned an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist in my parish after the training program. Then by accident I was introduced to the Russian Orthodox Church at age 61 & was a catechumen for 1.5 years & baptized & Chrismated. I was a novice of M. Maria for 5 years, then Spiritual daughter to Bishop Irenei ( now of London). Then I found a ROCOR Camaldolese hermit to whom I was a novice for 2 years. I am now 76 & live a hermit life as an Orthodox Christian. I have tried to find Whom I Am. We really only find ourselves by looking at Christ Who says I am, " Look Who I Am."
God bless you!
Everyone: I think it’s important to recognize that most people are called to marriage and the rate of marriage is decreasing dramatically, so fulfilling your call to a Sacramental Catholic Marriage is a very evangelical call in our culture.
I went through the entire application process twice as I applied to 2 different communities. All of it, interviews, transcripts, psych tests, physical, dental, letters of recommendation, financial, autobiography, clothing lists, photos, dowry, visits, discussions, sifting, questions, etc. Disposal of all my worldly possessions, I even planned to return. I endured hardship, poverty, heartaches, disappointments , abuse by nuns. I saw it all. 25 nuns left my monastery. When the last aged nuns were at last transferred, the monastery was closed.
Great job Mr. Sonna.
You mention learning techniques to shut off your brain and allow your heart to speak while in chapel. Can you recommend a book on this? Can you do a stream on these specific techniques that you learned?
Happy Birthday Suan! =D
Best to you Suan. Comment for traction.
Hey Suan! Watching the stream after the fact. Love your openness in talking about your journey with the Dominicans. Here's a question that came to mind: So religious life is out of the question for you, but have you thought of staying involved with the Dominicans via the Third Order? That way you can continue to live out their spirituality and be connected to the Order in some way, while still doing what you believe God has called you to do.
I wonder, now that you are no longer 'under the jurisdiction' of the OP, did you have to get their permission to share to us some details of your time with the OP Central?
God bless all the clergy, and the Holy Catholic Church! 🕊️🙏
Suan this is excellent and very helpful
It sounds like you are living in integrity and living full God given masculinity. I think what you have done is really noble. I am a protestant, but I am no longer a pastor because I was not living in integrity. I was being pushed by my denomination to be the next young mega church pastor.
Not sure if St Margaret Mary Alacoque is the saint mentioned 1:15:33 in connection with obeying superiors, but it reminded me of these passages from her Autobiography:
_52. He rejects the works performed through self-will._ Although His pure and penetrating (Eyes) discover even the smallest faults against charity and humility in order to correct them severely, nevertheless nothing can be compared to a want of obedience either against Superiors or the Rules; and the smallest reply to Superiors, manifesting repugnance to obey, is unbearable to Him in the soul of a religious. “Thou deceivest thyself,” He said to me, “in thinking to please Me by actions and mortifications chosen by self-will which, rather than yield, prefers to make Superiors bend their will to it. O! be assured, that I reject all such things as fruits corrupted by self-will which I abhor in the soul of a religious. I would rather that she should take all her little comforts through obedience, than overburden herself with austerities and fasts through her self-will.” When I happen to make such mortifications and penances of my own choice without His order or that of my Superior, He does not even allow me to offer them to Him. He reproves me for them, imposing a penance upon me as He does for my other failings, for each of which there is a particular punishment in the purgatory wherein He purifies me, in order to make me less unworthy of His divine Presence, of His communications and operations, for everything in me is done by Him. Having on one occasion finished taking the discipline for the space of an Ave Maris Stella, as I had been ordered, He said to me: “This is My share,” but as I still continued, He added: “And that is the devil’s,” which made me cease at once. Another time when I was taking it for the Holy Souls in Purgatory and wanted to exceed the permission given me, they immediately surrounded me complaining that I was striking them. This made me resolve to die rather than overstep, ever so little, the limits imposed by obedience. He afterwards made me do penance for my fault. But nothing seemed difficult to me, because, at that time, He kept all the rigor of my troubles and sufferings absorbed in the sweetness of His love, which sweetness I often besought Him to withdraw from me, that I might relish the bitterness of His anguish and dereliction, of His agony and opprobrium and of His other torments. But He told me that I was to submit indifferently to all His various intentions and not lay down the law for Him. “I will make thee understand hereafter,” He said, “that I am a wise and learned Director, Who knows how to lead souls safely when they abandon themselves to Me and forget themselves.”
_47. She endeavors to turn aside from extraordinary ways and complains to Our Lord._ As I held nothing back from my Superior and my Mistress, although it often happened that I understood nothing of what I told them, they impressed upon me that extraordinary ways were not suitable for the daughters of Holy Mary. I was deeply grieved at this and made every effort to turn aside from this way, but in vain, for the Spirit which led me had already gained such power over mine, that not only my mind but all my interior powers were wholly absorbed in Him and I was no longer mistress of them. I did my utmost to follow the method of prayer and other practices which were taught me, but I was not able to retain anything. It was in vain that I read my points of meditation, for all vanished from my mind, and I could neither learn nor retain anything except what my Divine Master taught me. This was a cause of no little suffering to me, because they [i.e., her superiors] did their best to destroy His action within me, and I was ordered to do likewise.-I made every effort to resist Him, and followed minutely all that obedience demanded of me in order to withdraw me from His power which, however, rendered all my attempts useless. I then poured out my heart to Him, saying: “Why, O my Sovereign Master, why not leave me in the ordinary way of the daughters of Holy Mary? Hast Thou then brought me to Thy holy house to destroy me? I beseech Thee, give these extraordinary graces to such chosen souls as will correspond with them better and glorify Thee more than I do, for I only resist Thee. All I wish for is Thy love and Thy Cross, that suffices for me to become a good religious, which is all I desire.” “Let us,” He replied, “continue the conflict, My daughter, I am quite content to do so; we shall see who will be victorious, the Creator or His creature; Strength or weakness, the All-powerful or powerlessness; but whoever is conqueror will remain so for ever.” This filled me with deep confusion, whereupon He said: “Be assured that I am not by any means offended by all these struggles and the opposition thou dost make Me through obedience for which I gave My life; but I will teach thee that I am the absolute Master of My gifts as also of My creatures, and nothing will be able to prevent Me from carrying out My designs. Therefore, not only do I desire that thou shouldst do what thy Superiors command, but also that thou shouldst do nothing of all that I order thee without their consent. I love obedience, and without it no one can please Me.” This was so agreeable to my Superior that she told me to abandon myself to His guidance; which I did, and my soul, which had hithrto suffered a cruel agony, was now filled with peace and joy.
@43:45 Hey, INTJ is my personality type too!!!
Mine too. 3% have it.
Is there any way you could share those exercises in front of the blessed sacrament? When you mentioned tending to stay in your head and needing to feel and express emotions, I definitely related and want to work on that. If you're comfortable sharing, great, if not, I understand. Thanks.
I had a journal and would write until my thoughts ran out. After the "fatigue" of writing, I would stare at the Blessed Sacrament and try to form a short mantra that I would repeat over and over like, "Jesus, I trust in you." or "My only obligation is to love you." Once I "fatigued" of that, I would ask God the question, "Should I stay?" and add as much detail as I could to the question and be as reverent as possible when asking for His will.
@@intellectualcatholicism Thanks, man.
So interesting to hear about the rigorous canon law process! Are men or women who (using the examples listed) have killed someone and/or procured an abortion at that stage forbidden and ruled out from joining religious life?
I honestly don't know, but it would probably be investigated if they answered affirmatively.
As an Assistant Director of Seminarian Formation in a Society of Apostolic Life, I know that it is possible to get a dispensation from the canonical impediment to Holy Orders due to procuring a direct abortion. But the petition for such a dispensation must be made to the Holy See (not your local Bishop) and it may or may not be granted, based on the circumstances. A community/diocese may admit such a candidate with the understanding that they may be dismissed if the dispensation is not granted.
Basically, you’re back! And even more badass.😂
My homies, I'm pretty sure that what suan does would be considered an apostolate. Might be wrong tho, correct me if I'm wrong
You listen to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons! So do I, you have great taste in music.
Looking forward to seeing how the Lord uses you.
The loss of your work on YT and elsewhere would have an incredible negative impact on people like me and leave a hole in catholic Apologetics that, right now, you alone are filling.
1:13:34 Dominicans!
The religious life is objectively more holy by definition since holiness literally means "set apart."
Mean king?
Draw the human body? Stick figure not sufficient? lol. The naked human body? If it's a test, I think I'd try to ask "Male or female?" and "Michaelangelo anatomically correct?"
I always wished I had the IQ to be a Dominican.
He is a very young guy so this could just be a bum in the road. No one, not even the saints, discerns well. He might just need to suffer and become holier.
Sounds like you discerned with the wrong province. Discern with Eastern and see what happens. ❤