Perhaps priesthood has crossed your mind, but fear repels the prospect away. For a healthy, single man, considering a celibate life without the comforts of a wife and family can feel daunting since our nature draws us toward family life. Many men are also afraid seminary will be too challenging or that public speaking will prove too difficult. Other fears can include the thought of being unable to commit for the rest of one’s life, or even being unworthy for so noble a calling.
These fears are very common, even for men who are already in seminary, yet there exists at this moment thousands upon thousands of joyful, effective priests that once shared these same fears and concerns themselves. When factoring our particular fears into discernment, it is absolutely critical to remember that God never speaks through fear. Planting seeds of fear and doubt are typical assaults of the Enemy to keep you from pursuing God’s will – much like the venomous bite of an animal that paralyzes its prey to keep it from moving. A man in fear will find it difficult to move toward God’s will.
Yet the fear remains. So how do we overcome fear? After we have renewed our trust in Jesus, here are five practical tips:
1. Demote your fears into concerns. Fear arises from helplessness in the face of an expected outcome, but the reality is that our fears about the priesthood are not guaranteed predictions about the future. Instead, consider your current fears as concerns, meaning aspects of the priesthood that require further exploration and prayer. You may have a persistent concern about celibacy or preaching—and rather than feeling fear, look at the requirements of priesthood objectively.
Yes, priests indeed must have a certain level of ability for public speaking and effective communication. These and many other areas require serious self-assessment. You can also expect during seminary to, discover other areas of your personality or skills that need to change or improve. The extended time of formation in the seminary is precisely meant for the natural, holistic healing and growth of an individual; thus to discount the possibility of priesthood simply on account of a few fears would be premature and foolish.
Recall that when Jesus called Peter, our first pope said, “Leave me, Lord, for I am a sinful man” (Lk 5:1-11), Jesus then assured him that there was nothing to fear in following him. Likewise, Jesus knows your difficulties and weaknesses. If you trust him and “cast your net into the deep,” all will be well: “Perfect love casts out all fear” (1 John 4:18).
2. Reflect on God’s love. Fr. Brett Brannen, in his popular book on priestly discernment, To Save a Thousand Souls, recommends this meditation when a man feels fearful: “God is infinite in power and he loves me infinitely. There is no snatching out of his hand. God will never send me where his grace cannot sustain me. If he asks me to do something difficult, like become a priest, he will give me the grace to do it. I will not fail because he is with me. And I will be happy because I am doing his will. Even if I lack some of the needed qualities, God will help me develop them. In his will lies my peace.”
3. Entrust your fears to the Blessed Mother. Recall that after the angel told Mary to “fear not,” she readily accepted God’s will for her and all of humanity: “I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Mary is firstly the mother of all priests, and so do not hesitate to entrust your fears to her intercession; like a loving, attentive Mother she will help calm your heart and assist you in finding the will of her Son.
4. Remember what seminary is for. From a purely practical perspective, it’s comforting to know that if God calls you to be a priest, ordination is still years away. Seminary offers a period of intensive formation to help a man address his concerns, grow in holiness, and prepare for an effective priestly ministry, and all in the context of a tight-knit fraternity. No man enters seminary ready to be a priest!
5. Look to Scripture for consolation: “Your word is a lamp for my path, and a light for my steps” (Psalm 119:105). If you have fears concerning the priesthood, know that are not the first nor the last.. The prophets and apostles whom the Lord called also had fears, yet they instinctively communicated them back to the Lord, and looked to Him for their consolation and guidance. See the Scriptural references below to see how God encouraged the saints of our Faith:
As Pope John Paul II reminded us so often throughout his pontificate: “Be not afraid!” Don’t let fear paralyze you. Instead, ask a priest you trust to help you with your concerns. Remain faithful to daily prayer, trust in God, and your heart will be at peace, no matter what your vocation is.