However, there are other difficulties which stifle the entire person. The latter case can be attributed to two main causes. On one hand there is a life lacking in sound discernment built on a personal history of immaturity and indecisiveness. On the other, there is the weakening of union with the Lord, without whom neither priesthood nor celibacy makes any sense. If a priest prays-little, or poorly, the Eucharist ceases to be a personal encounter with the living Christ who is present.
Life is emptied of meaning and the vocation itself is questioned.
At this point, crises can get so deep as to drag down not just the vocation and the ministry, but one's own identity. Also helpful is the company of a more mature priest, who can understand, orient and guide. Priests, religious, and lay people at times run the risk of relying too much on human consolations, rather than humbly letting themselves be guided by the right person and wearing themselves out on their knees before the Tabernacle. But he always finds the light again. Not so for him who hides his desolation.