Q. Why is a virtuous life necessary in one who aspires to the priesthood?
A. St. Thomas, the angelic doctor, gives the following reasons: "We must place the sublime burden of the priesthood only on walls already dried by sanctity; that is, freed from the malignant humor of sin." In another place the holy doctor says: "As he who takes orders is raised above seculars in dignity, so should he be superior to them in sanctity."
Q. What is meant by a pure intention?
A. The intention of securing one's own salvation and of promoting the glory of God by contributing to the salvation of others.
Q. What is meant by the desire to become a priest?
A. It means an interior feeling or impulse of grace inclining a person towards the priesthood.
Q. How may this desire be obtained?
A. By considering the goodness of our blessed Lord, His life of zeal, and labor, and His burning desire to save souls; the honor and the reward of continuing His work; by meditating on some passage of the Sacred Scripture or the truths of eternity; by reflecting on the shortness of life and the dangers of secular pursuits.
Q. May this desire be acquired by external means?
A. Yes; this desire may be the result of a sermon, of the instructions of pastors and teachers, or of advice and example. It may come also from the prayers, the good example, and the encouragement of parents.
Q. How may a person know that this desire comes from God, even indirectly?
A. He can judge by the motives which prompt this desire; a person evidently has a divine vocation when his desire of becoming a priest is fairly continuous; when the motives are good, and no serious obstacle exists.
[C]HAPTER XV.
DO VOCATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD COME DIRECTLY FROM GOD?
Q. Is it necessary that vocations to the priesthood should come directly from God? [*]
A. No; generally speaking, God selects and prepares His ministers through those whom He has appointed to watch over the interests of His Church. Even St. Paul did not receive his vocation directly from God. He was converted directly, but to his question: "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" he received this answer: "Arise, and go into the city, and there it shall be told thee what them must do." God made use of Ananias to communicate to St. Paul his vocation.
[*] "Almighty God, who usually employs secondary agents in the choice of His ministers, often selects pious matrons for moulding the character and directing the steps of their sons toward the sanctuary." ("Ambassador of Christ," by Cardinal Gibbons.) We highly recommend this most excellent work, especially to students, parents, and aspirants to the priesthood.