Is it right for a seminarian to have a girlfriend?
By masang
@masang (295)
Philippines
April 8, 2011 3:32am CST
I just talked to a girl who is guilty because her boyfriend is a seminarian. But she does not want to let go of him. Please give your comment or a piece of advice.
5 responses
@leeonweb (6)
• Philippines
8 Apr 11
A seminarian is inside the seminary not to be helped with discerning his vocation but because it was already determined, although it is not infallible, since it would also depend on his cooperation. To have a girlfriend while being trained to be a future priest is deceiving oneself, the girl, and all the people around.
Seminarians who are not being honest with their formators and rectors end up being dishonest priests and in some cases, leaving the vocation altogether, and sometimes even the faith.
@ichipink (541)
• Philippines
15 Apr 11
Hi leeonweb!
In our place, seminarians are encouraged by their formators to have girlfriends. It’s part of their test to see if they are really dedicated to become priests or not. Even if they fall in love with a girl but still wants to go on with their vocation, then it means that they chose to serve the Lord more than anything else.
Seminarians are only humans. And it’s natural for humans to fall in love. Their formators let them experience some things that they won’t be able to experience once they become full pledge priests. That way, they won’t have any regrets or doubts on whatever path they have chosen.
@gelayagui98 (1336)
• Australia
9 Apr 11
I am not a catholic but I studied in a catholic school, in my opinion, it is just right for a seminarian to have girlfriend because he is not yet full-fledged priest, and also served as test for himself if he really belong to priesthood.
@ichipink (541)
• Philippines
9 Apr 11
For me it is part of the seminarians to have a girlfriend so that they will know how dedicated they are to their vocation and so that they will know also which path should they take.
My advice to all the girls that their bf are seminarian they should be aware that your relationship won't last long because of their vocation and theirs a possibility that they will give up what you have.The girl should understand their situation before entering this kind of relationship and she should accept it so that the pain will be lesser even if it is difficult.
I can relate to this topic because every year here in our locale a college for seminarians sends out a pair of seminarians to learn more on how to socialize with the community.They came here Twice a month and every time they arrive here most of us youth unites and the seminarians shared some stories about the challenges they have been encountered inside and outside the formation.
@changjiangzhibin89 (16764)
• China
8 Apr 11
I am a atheist so I have no idea of what if a catholic can get marriage.As far as I know,except from Japanese Buddhist,in general,the Buddhist prohibits from getting marriage.In addition,Taoist(one of the chief religions in old China)can gets marriage.
