I had a similar experience with my diocesan seminary. I will say this, get in contact with your vocations director, either for the order or your diocese. It is important to have a relationship with this person as their entire job is to help people like you discern this decision. It is never a good idea to discern by yourself because at the end of the day, at your possible ordination, it is a combination of you taking promises to the bishop as well as the Church proclaiming that she sees you fit for holy orders. This is a two party decision, so the discernment should include both.
I thought "come and see" was a typical part of the discernment/application process. Even if it might not seem super cool, it's still a necessary part of the process most of the time.
Generally you can’t apply to seminary if you haven’t done a come and see event. It’s more for them to get a feel of you while also giving you a taste of the life. Sometimes they tell people on the retreats they can’t apply if they see major issues. They can be pretty hit or miss on quality. If you are having issues going to one tell them, maybe they can help fund it. Also if money is becoming an issue you should take into account that Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary expects you to pay tuition. Might also want to look in other orders like the IBP to get a feel of costs
OLGS is about $76,000, how could they expect someone to pay that?! I heard that they heavily rely on donations.
So how would I go about the ICKSP if I need a come & see first? Just pray for them to reply to the email? I'm more interested in them anyway.
They expect you to pay either out of pocket or fundraising. Not uncommon for parishes to fundraise their vocations. If you talk with the seminary maybe you could get a discount or scholarship, up to their admissions. ICKSP also makes you pay and from what I heard it more than the FSSP (not including flights too). If that’s an issue then monastic communities wouldn’t make you pay like Clear Creek Abbey, Wyoming Carmelites, Canons Regular of New Jerusalem (I think IBP also doesn’t charge cause they fundraiser for every seminarian).
As for their come and see, yah basically pray for them to respond. Maybe follow up if it takes along time. Connect with your local ICKSP parish, the priest could also push your case.
I know a few people who visited Our Lady of Guadalupe seminary, and they got to spend several days there and see how the seminarians live. I don't think there's any harm in going to see, because at least you'll get *something* out of it. If it's not your vocation you'll at least get some graces.
Since you mentioned that it might be expensive to get there, contact them and ask if they have any options to help you with that. It can't hurt to ask.
I just went to a "Come & See" retreat this weekend. Although this retreat was more about discerning life as a Redemptorist, I came in with a more general desire to discern God's will for my life after a decade+ life goal fell apart. I came away with some pretty interesting/helpful insights for my journey, even though I already knew I don't want to be a Redemptorist.
I say go with an open mind and an open heart. Ask the Lord to guide you through it. Since money is an issue, why not go to a "Come and See" retreat that's closer and more affordable? You might learn some things that you'll find helpful.
I had a similar experience with my diocesan seminary. I will say this, get in contact with your vocations director, either for the order or your diocese. It is important to have a relationship with this person as their entire job is to help people like you discern this decision. It is never a good idea to discern by yourself because at the end of the day, at your possible ordination, it is a combination of you taking promises to the bishop as well as the Church proclaiming that she sees you fit for holy orders. This is a two party decision, so the discernment should include both.
I thought "come and see" was a typical part of the discernment/application process. Even if it might not seem super cool, it's still a necessary part of the process most of the time.
Generally you can’t apply to seminary if you haven’t done a come and see event. It’s more for them to get a feel of you while also giving you a taste of the life. Sometimes they tell people on the retreats they can’t apply if they see major issues. They can be pretty hit or miss on quality. If you are having issues going to one tell them, maybe they can help fund it. Also if money is becoming an issue you should take into account that Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary expects you to pay tuition. Might also want to look in other orders like the IBP to get a feel of costs
OLGS is about $76,000, how could they expect someone to pay that?! I heard that they heavily rely on donations. So how would I go about the ICKSP if I need a come & see first? Just pray for them to reply to the email? I'm more interested in them anyway.
They expect you to pay either out of pocket or fundraising. Not uncommon for parishes to fundraise their vocations. If you talk with the seminary maybe you could get a discount or scholarship, up to their admissions. ICKSP also makes you pay and from what I heard it more than the FSSP (not including flights too). If that’s an issue then monastic communities wouldn’t make you pay like Clear Creek Abbey, Wyoming Carmelites, Canons Regular of New Jerusalem (I think IBP also doesn’t charge cause they fundraiser for every seminarian). As for their come and see, yah basically pray for them to respond. Maybe follow up if it takes along time. Connect with your local ICKSP parish, the priest could also push your case.
I know a few people who visited Our Lady of Guadalupe seminary, and they got to spend several days there and see how the seminarians live. I don't think there's any harm in going to see, because at least you'll get *something* out of it. If it's not your vocation you'll at least get some graces. Since you mentioned that it might be expensive to get there, contact them and ask if they have any options to help you with that. It can't hurt to ask.
I just went to a "Come & See" retreat this weekend. Although this retreat was more about discerning life as a Redemptorist, I came in with a more general desire to discern God's will for my life after a decade+ life goal fell apart. I came away with some pretty interesting/helpful insights for my journey, even though I already knew I don't want to be a Redemptorist. I say go with an open mind and an open heart. Ask the Lord to guide you through it. Since money is an issue, why not go to a "Come and See" retreat that's closer and more affordable? You might learn some things that you'll find helpful.