Q. Dear Fr Anthony,

I have just finished university and am working in my area of study. However, I now desire to be a priest. The problem is that, like many college students, I took out student loans. Thus, I have a small debt. By my calculations, it will take me a few years before I pay off the debt AND earn enough money to pursue a life in the priesthood. Is there any way around this, or must I simply wait?

- James

A. Dear James,

Your problem is not unusual, and it’s one of the reasons I tell those who are thinking about a vocation that it may not be wise to put it off until after college.

Once a young man is in the same position as you, with college debts to pay and feeling the call to be a priest, it is important NOT TO put off any action towards pursuing the priesthood until after he pays the debt. You need to start looking into it right away. You need to speak to the diocesan vocation director if you think you are called towards diocesan priesthood, or to the vocation director of the religious order you are interested in if you think you are called to religious life.

The first reason for this is that these men will help you see if you really do have the signs of a vocation, and the answer to this question will guide your actions. If they tell you that you may have a vocation, this will give a new sense to time you have between now and when you are free to join the seminary. For example, knowing you may have a vocation you will not invest time in dating, you will have the motivation and desire to curtail other interests and expenses, you will not increase your debt, you will have more time to work extra and get your debts paid off ASAP.... You will also probably feel the need to get involved in your local church a little more, and dedicate more time to prayer.

In other words, focus totally on your vocation. These are some of the best years of your life, don’t let them slip away. And a year you save now is a year earlier you will be able to enter the seminary, a year earlier you will be ordained, and a year more you will serve souls.

- Fr Anthony
www.vocations.com