Skip to main content

Featured Post

A Decision to Leave Seminary Formation

A Decision to Leave Seminary Formation Journey of Discernment Seeking Clarity in Vocation Leaving seminary formation was a significant and emotionally charged decision, one that required deep introspection and personal growth. As I look back on this pivotal moment in my life , I find solace in the clarity I gained through the process of discernment. The decision to leave the seminary was not one of failure or retreat but rather a courageous step toward aligning my life with my authentic self. It was in stepping away that I truly discovered who I am and what my passions and aspirations are. Recognizing a New Path While I initially entered the seminary with a sense of purpose, I soon realized that my path lay elsewhere, in different forms of service and personal expression. This realization was not easy, but it was essential for my growth and self-awareness, as the Gospel reminds us of the call to follow Christ and discern where we are most called to serve: As Jesus said, ...
Post a Comment

A Decision to Leave Seminary Formation

A Decision to Leave Seminary Formation

Journey of Discernment

Seeking Clarity in Vocation

Leaving seminary formation was a significant and emotionally charged decision, one that required deep introspection and personal growth. As I look back on this pivotal moment in my life, I find solace in the clarity I gained through the process of discernment. The decision to leave the seminary was not one of failure or retreat but rather a courageous step toward aligning my life with my authentic self. It was in stepping away that I truly discovered who I am and what my passions and aspirations are.

Recognizing a New Path

While I initially entered the seminary with a sense of purpose, I soon realized that my path lay elsewhere, in different forms of service and personal expression. This realization was not easy, but it was essential for my growth and self-awareness, as the Gospel reminds us of the call to follow Christ and discern where we are most called to serve: As Jesus said, "Follow Me" (Matthew 4:19, NRSV).

The decision to leave the seminary provided me with an invaluable opportunity for self-discovery. I found myself reassessing my beliefs, values, and desires for the future. As I reflected on my time in formation, I recognized that my calling, though deeply spiritual, was evolving into something more diverse.

Exploring New Ways to Serve

I began to explore other avenues where I could serve others, whether through different professional roles, volunteer work, or by pursuing alternative forms of spirituality. It was through this journey of questioning and reflection that I gained a deeper understanding of my purpose in life and the kind of impact I wanted to have on the world. As Pope Francis writes in The Joy of the Gospel , discernment requires opening one’s heart to God’s call and "listening to the signs of the times" (Pope Francis 2013,no. 16). My own journey mirrored this process of listening, questioning, and ultimately finding my true calling.

Facing Uncertainty with Faith

Growth Through Doubt and Change

Leaving the seminary also allowed me to embrace the uncertainties that come with change. It is often through doubt and discomfort that true growth occurs, and this process was no different. As I navigated the complexities of faith, theology, and philosophy, I found that my understanding of spirituality became richer and more nuanced.

The Role of Community and Support

This deeper exploration of my faith, combined with the support of friends, mentors, and peers, allowed me to develop a more expansive view of my role in the world. The relationships I formed during my time in seminary continue to be a source of strength and support as I continue on my path. As I reflect on these experiences, I am reminded that the call to serve is not always about formal structures but about living out one’s vocation in the context of authentic relationships and service to others.

Embracing a New Calling

Honoring My True Self

Ultimately, my decision to leave seminary formation was not about rejecting my vocation but about embracing my authentic calling in a different form. It was a decision that required courage, vulnerability, and a commitment to personal growth.

A Broader Understanding of Service

As I continue on my journey, I have learned that service to others can take many shapes, and that it is essential to honor one’s true self in the process of discerning God's will. As Pope Francis encourages, we must "go beyond" our doubts and recognize that God’s invitation is not limited to a single path but extends to a variety of ways to contribute to His work in the world (Pope Francis 2013, no. 20). This experience has shown me that true fulfillment comes from pursuing a path that is in harmony with both one's faith and one's deepest passions.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is Theology All About?

What is Theology All About?  (by :  Raul J. Bonoan, S.J)           If theology is to have – and it certainly has – a rightful place in any academic curriculum and the life of a Catholic university, it cannot afford to be merely a haphazard presentation of the truths of the faith or a series of free-wheeling discussions on the relevance of Christianity today. Like chemistry, history, psychology, or any other subject, theology must be properly a study and as such, ought to be characterized by some method or order. I hesitate to call it a “science” or “discipline” inasmuch as these words often evoke the unhappy image of an esoteric body of truths cultivated by thinkers safely locked up in their ivory towers. But if science is to be understood – as it is generally understood today – as a methodic study of our inquiry into a significant question or phenomenon (something that falls within the range of human experience), then there is no justifiable r...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Filipino Catholic Faith

The Filipino Catholic Faith   (Excerpted from The Catechism for Filipino Catholics, nos. 28-54) Opening The "Good News" of Jesus Christ The “Good News” is that God has become man in Jesus Christ our Lord, who came to save us from sin and bring us to fullness of life. This is the Gospel which we Filipinos have accepted. As PCP II proudly declares: “For us Filipinos, the first century of the coming millennium will mark the 500th year since we as a people accepted the Faith” (PCP II 3). It makes us the only Christian nation among our Asian brethren.  Christ's Message and Filipino Culture There are deep affinities between Christ’s message and the Filipino’s inmost ways of thinking and acting. “Much of the Gospel has become part of us - compassion, forgiveness, caring, piety - and makes of us a basically decent people (PCP II 15). Through the past centuries, right up to our present critical times, growing more mature in the following of Christ has meant becoming more truly a...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Profession of Christian Faith

THE PROFESSION OF CHRISTIAN FAITH   (excerpted from The Catechism of the Catholic Church nos. 232-267) INTRODUCTION  The profession of the Christian faith encompasses a diverse and widespread belief system rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. Christianity, one of the world's major religions, is centered on the belief in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus as the Son of God and the savior of humanity. Christians follow the Bible, which includes the Old and New Testaments, as their sacred scripture. The Christian faith is marked by various denominations and traditions, each interpreting and expressing their beliefs in unique ways. Practices such as prayer, worship, and community involvement are integral to the Christian experience, fostering a sense of spiritual growth and connection with God. The profession of the Christian faith often emphasizes values such as love, compassion, forgiveness, and the pursuit of justice, guiding adherents in their individual and co...
Post a Comment
Read more