Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP: "How I Decided (to become a Priest)"

Sydney Vocations

1 Nov 201701:17

Summary

TLDRThe speaker reflects on their diverse experiences before embracing a religious life as a priest, expressing deep satisfaction with their choice. They draw parallels with two individuals who initially pursued careers in accounting and physics but ultimately discovered a higher calling. The narrative encourages listeners to consider that they may be destined for greater purposes, suggesting that when they pursue these callings, divine assistance will follow.

Takeaways

🧳 The speaker reflects on trying different experiences before entering religious life, including backpacking and pursuing a social life.
⏳ There is a sense of wondering if they could have contributed more to God if they had decided on the seminary sooner.
🙏 The speaker expresses deep satisfaction with their decision to become a priest, emphasizing the joy and fulfillment it brings.
😊 Being a priest is described as a good life, and the speaker strongly recommends it to those considering it.
💭 The speaker acknowledges that people often feel they could do many things but might not recognize a deeper calling within them.
🧑‍💼 Two examples are given: one individual thought they'd become an accountant, the other a physicist, but both found a greater purpose in religious life.
👂 When they finally followed their true calling, they realized it was what they were made for.
🌟 The speaker believes many people are destined for bigger things than they initially expect.
🎯 When someone gives their calling a try, God will guide them to their true purpose.
💖 The underlying message encourages self-reflection and openness to a greater calling beyond one's initial plans.

Q & A

What did the speaker do before deciding to enter religious life?
-The speaker studied, backpacked around Europe, had a social life, and tried various activities before deciding to enter religious life and the seminary.
Did the speaker ever have doubts about their decision to enter religious life?
-Yes, the speaker sometimes wondered if they could have done more for God had they made their decision sooner, but ultimately felt glad about their choice.
How does the speaker feel about being a priest?
-The speaker loves being a priest and considers it a really good life.
Would the speaker recommend a religious life to others?
-Yes, the speaker would recommend becoming a priest or entering religious life to anyone considering it, even if they feel unsure or have other interests.
What were the initial career plans of the two men mentioned in the script?
-One man thought he was going to be an accountant, and the other thought he was going to be a physicist.
What changed for the two men who had different career plans?
-Both men felt a calling to something greater and decided to pursue religious life, realizing that this was what they were meant to do.
What message does the speaker convey about trying new paths in life?
-The speaker encourages trying new paths and listening to one’s calling, suggesting that we may be made for bigger things than we initially guess.
How does the speaker view God's role in their life choices?
-The speaker believes that when a person gives their calling a try, God will take care of the rest and guide them.
What emotions does the speaker express about their journey into religious life?
-The speaker expresses gratitude and joy for their journey into religious life, feeling fulfilled and content with their decision.
What is the main theme of the speaker's message?
-The main theme of the speaker's message is about being open to one's true calling, embracing life's journey, and trusting that God will guide them to where they are meant to be.

Outlines

00:00

🙏 Finding One's True Calling

The speaker reflects on their personal journey of trying various paths before entering religious life. They express regret for not making this decision sooner, but ultimately find great joy and fulfillment in being a priest. The speaker encourages others who might be considering a similar path, suggesting that many people are capable of achieving more than they initially believe. The narrative then shifts to two individuals who initially pursued careers as an accountant and a physicist but eventually found their true calling in something greater. The speaker emphasizes that when individuals embrace their true purpose, they can achieve great things with God's help.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Religious Life

Religious life refers to the commitment to live according to religious vows, often within a community such as a monastery or convent. In the video, the speaker discusses how he chose this path after trying various other experiences, suggesting that religious life was his true calling. This term is central to the theme of the video, which explores vocation and the process of discerning one's purpose.

💡Seminary

A seminary is an educational institution for training individuals to become priests or ministers. The speaker mentions entering the seminary after exploring other life options, highlighting it as a pivotal step in his journey towards priesthood. The seminary symbolizes a place of spiritual and professional preparation for a life dedicated to service in the Church.

💡Vocation

Vocation refers to a person's calling or life's purpose, often with a spiritual or religious connotation. In the context of the video, vocation is depicted as something one discovers over time, sometimes after pursuing other careers or interests. The speaker emphasizes that while he could have pursued other paths, his true vocation was the priesthood.

💡God's Will

God's will represents the idea of a divine plan or purpose for an individual's life. The speaker reflects on how, despite exploring various paths, he eventually realized that God had a greater plan for him. This concept underscores the theme that following God's will leads to fulfillment and purpose.

💡Backpacking

Backpacking in this context refers to the speaker's travels around Europe before he entered the seminary. It symbolizes a period of exploration and self-discovery, where the speaker sought to experience life in different ways before committing to a religious vocation. This reflects the broader theme of seeking one's true calling through various life experiences.

💡Discernment

Discernment is the process of making thoughtful decisions, especially regarding one's spiritual or life path. In the video, the speaker describes how both he and others had to discern their calling, whether to pursue religious life or other careers. This concept is central to understanding how individuals come to recognize their vocation.

💡Priesthood

Priesthood refers to the role of being a priest, which the speaker describes as a fulfilling and rewarding life. He speaks highly of his experiences in the priesthood and encourages others who might be considering it as a potential path. The priesthood is presented as a meaningful vocation that aligns with serving God and others.

💡Accountant

The accountant symbolizes one of the alternate careers that a person in the video initially pursued before realizing a higher calling to religious life. This profession represents practical, worldly ambitions, which the video contrasts with the more spiritually fulfilling choice of dedicating one's life to serving God.

💡Physicist

A physicist represents another career path one of the individuals in the video considered before choosing religious life. Like the accountant, this profession highlights the intellectual pursuits that people may engage in before realizing their true vocation. It emphasizes that some callings go beyond academic or scientific achievements.

💡Greater Calling

Greater calling refers to the belief that individuals are meant for something bigger or more meaningful than they initially realize. The speaker talks about how people may start with one career or path but later feel pulled toward something more profound, such as serving God. This theme ties into the idea of realizing one's potential by listening to a deeper spiritual purpose.

Highlights

Explored various paths before entering religious life, including backpacking around Europe and engaging in social activities.

Initially had doubts about committing to religious life, fearing missed opportunities to serve God.

Ultimately chose the seminary and found great joy and fulfillment in being a priest.

Encourages others to consider religious life, even if they have other interests or career paths.

Shares a story of two individuals who initially pursued careers in accounting and physics.

Both individuals felt a deeper calling to something greater than their initial career choices.

Upon embracing their true calling, they discovered their purpose and were fulfilled.

Suggests that many people are destined for greater things than they initially perceive.

Encourages trying out different paths to discover one's true calling.

Implores that when one finds their true path, God will guide and support them.

Reflects on the importance of making decisions that align with one's true purpose.

Discusses the transformative power of discovering and pursuing one's true calling.

Highlights the joy and satisfaction that come from living a life in accordance with one's calling.

Advocates for the exploration of religious life as a potential path for personal fulfillment.

Reiterates the message that God will help those who are willing to listen to their inner calling.

Shares personal insights on the value of religious life and its impact on one's happiness.

Emphasizes the significance of finding and following one's true passion in life.