Reprinted with permission from U.S. Catholic magazine.

Discussion of women's ordination hasn't been able to silence the inner voice that many women hear calling them to the priesthood. For these hundreds-maybe thousands-of U.S. Catholic women, this issue is an intensely personal one. What do you do when God sends you a message that the church prevents you from answering? How do you deal with the frustration, anger, and hurt? Where do you go from here?

U.S. Catholic posed those questions to five women who feel called to ordination. They are young and old; African American, white, and Latina; and have responded to this call in different ways. Some have come to a peaceful resolution, while others still struggle with the pain and frustration. All sensed this calling at a young age and have sincerely prayed throughout their lives for the wisdom to answer it with integrity. Here are their stories:

Delle Chatman: "Just another form of prejudice" Maureen Dallison Kemeza: "God didn't call me to be bitter." Theresa Trujillo: "You can't do that; you're a girl." Emily Malcoun: "It's part of my personal identity" Mary Ruth Broz: "I thought I would be one of the first" Plus: The Little Flower That Couldn't Read about St. Therese of Lisieux's desire to become a priest. Plus: The Little Flower That Couldn't Read about St. Therese of Lisieux's desire to become a priest.