If you think you are called to serve God as a religious priest or brother, but you have school debt, well, that is awesome and there are ways to work it out! If God wants you, it will get done!
School is not free; it is not cheap, either. You have incurred debt because you wanted to have the necessary academic credential and knowledge to enhance your gifts, get a job and build a life.
Yet, God may be calling you to give up your life for the sake of the Gospel! And if God calls, you are in trouble! :-) (just kidding!)
The trouble may be that when you apply for the priesthood, one of the first questions they will ask you is precisely if you have any debt. Now, some communities or dioceses may ask you to pay it off and then come back; others may turn you down because of it. Yet, the vast majority of congregations and dioceses are willing to work with you to help you figure out what to do with that debt.
The Claretian Missionaries understand that you have invested in your academic preparation
and that has (literally) a price to pay. They will nourish your vocation because they are committed to nurture it. There are many alternatives help you “rescue your vocation” such as our beloved Laboure Society, whose reason for being is to help those in discernment to pay off their school debt.
You can check out the Laboure Society here.
Thank God for always providing for us and for His creativity in finding ways to overcome any obstacle that can be a hindrance for your vocation. For more information, please visit www.myclaret.org and contact a vocation director who will be happy to help you out.