I need some advice (and prayers) concerning my future education and career since it involves the Catholic faith especially. I had for awhile thought of going to medical school. I just graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with Religious Studies as a major and Nuclear Medicine as a minor. Fortunately, I had just survived attending a "Catholic" university. It seems to me now though that I do well in learning and studying religious matters. Also, I have not seemed to have too much heart in studying medicine. The problem is that I think of studying at another "Catholic" university, but I know there would be a lot of trouble with my being of the SSPX position if I went and entered graduate school for a Master of Arts in Theology, or some other kind of degree concerning religion. I am not simply of the SSPX position as well. I am affiliated with the SSPX since I attend and am involved with one of the SSPX chapels regularly.

What do you think I should do?

Actually, there's nothing wrong with studying such a course. Normally, modesty is the rule of thumb. But let's face it, it's most normal for doctors to be men. That's how it was throughout history until a few dozen years ago. Even now, I think men make the best doctors. A doctor needs to be rational, logical, (un-emotional and detached -- especially during surgery) and not overly emotional.

Women make good nurses, and perhaps pediatricians (since their natural mothering/nurturing skills come in handy).

Anyhow, if you are a doctor you have a good REASON to look at things that are normally off-limits. In that case it's a necessity, done for a greater good.

Now a doctor (like any man) needs to develop control of his passions, a high degree of most (if not all) of the virtues, and that will help him to do his work.

Nevertheless, I suppose a man who is particularly weak against certain sins might want to avoid becoming a doctor -- but keep in mind that virtue becomes easier with practice.

Temptations can be offered up as a sacrifice to God, and He is pleased to see us fight them -- as long as they're not sought out on purpose. But if your line of work presents them, you're not at fault. If it's God's will for you to be a doctor, then He WILL give you the grace to avoid sin in that line of work.

Matthew