Appropriate behavior for a Seminarian - Opinions?

[AdamP88]

Distractions are not just girls but also potentially some of the same things that drew you to religious life to begin with. But being overly involved with something outside your formation and outside the community being built can be a problem - even if it is pro-life cause, or saving the environment, or what-have-you.

I disagree with this completely. If you are called to be a Catholic Priest and are involved with a pro-life cause etc. that should be encouraged. This is such an important issue that really every priest should be involved in it.

Also, I don’t see how going out to dinner in and of itself would be an impossibility for someone in formation. I know that friends are allowed to visit our novitiate and I don’t see it as a particularly bad thing for a group of friends to go out to dinner. Especially if part of a prayer group or something.

 

[LaMusicaSenior]

I disagree with this completely. If you are called to be a Catholic Priest and are involved with a pro-life cause etc. that should be encouraged. This is such an important issue that really every priest should be involved in it.

Also, I don’t see how going out to dinner in and of itself would be an impossibility for someone in formation. I know that friends are allowed to visit our novitiate and I don’t see it as a particularly bad thing for a group of friends to go out to dinner. Especially if part of a prayer group or something.

Yes - there is nothing against seminarians/novices/priests having friends! It is by surronding oneself with solid, Catholic friends that our faith in Christ grows deeper!

 

[Mrs_Sally]

I disagree with this completely. If you are called to be a Catholic Priest and are involved with a pro-life cause etc. that should be encouraged. This is such an important issue that really every priest should be involved in it.

Also, I don’t see how going out to dinner in and of itself would be an impossibility for someone in formation. I know that friends are allowed to visit our novitiate and I don’t see it as a particularly bad thing for a group of friends to go out to dinner. Especially if part of a prayer group or something.

My understanding was that this thread was about activities during the first years of formation within a religious community. In that case, you should properly be doing only what is allowed to you. and that very likely will not include dinners out with friends or involvement in apostolates other than what the community do together.

If you are speaking about men in a secular seminary, then yes, you may likely be able to meet friends for dinner or continue to engage in whatever cause you did before, be in pro-life rallys or working in a soup kitchen. However, prudence would still counsel a man to limit his involvement with former or potential girlfriends and to ensure that his formation director is aware of whatever activities or apostolates he plans to engage in.

 

[AdamP88]

My understanding was that this thread was about activities during the first years of formation within a religious community. In that case, you should properly be doing only what is allowed to you. and that very likely will not include dinners out with friends or involvement in apostolates other than what the community do together.

I think for our novitiate our activities are within community but we are also encouraged to take part in pastoral activity.

For me as a catholic I just do not believe pro-life work should ever be relegated to the back seat. It’s not a secondary cause…it’s built into our faith and we need to be out there promoting LIFE!

 

[Mrs_Sally]

I think for our novitiate our activities are within community but we are also encouraged to take part in pastoral activity.

For me as a catholic I just do not believe pro-life work should ever be relegated to the back seat. It’s not a secondary cause…it’s built into our faith and we need to be out there promoting LIFE!

I will pray for you as you enter seminary and formation.

 

[AdamP88]

Thanks

 

[LaMusicaSenior]

I will pray for you as you enter seminary and formation.

Amen! Your in my prayers, too.

 

[irishOntarian]

Billy Graham made it an inflexible rule never to be alone with a member of the opposite sex during his ministry. Very hard to fault that.

I would fault that. In effect, it meant that he either couldn’t trust himself with the least self control, or that he was pandering to the overreactions of prudish people. Treating the opposite sex like a kind of toxic alien is hardly the way to promote trust and solidarity among people.

 

[AdamP88]

Good point

 

[InLight247]

I would fault that. In effect, it meant that he either couldn’t trust himself with the least self control, or that he was pandering to the overreactions of prudish people. Treating the opposite sex like a kind of toxic alien is hardly the way to promote trust and solidarity among people.

If it is true that Billy Graham made it an inflexible rule never to be alone with a member of the opposite sex, his intention must be for total prudence. It is simply to avoid any unnecessary occasion alone with a female. Reverend Graham knows who he is. He knows what is the best way to handle things. He wants to ensure constant integrity in his ministry. I would never say what was said in the above quote. It is unfortunate people feel free to jump on conclusion to such a well respected servant of God.

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

I would fault that. In effect, it meant that he either couldn’t trust himself with the least self control, or that he was pandering to the overreactions of prudish people. Treating the opposite sex like a kind of toxic alien is hardly the way to promote trust and solidarity among people.

I do not believe you’re being fair to Rev. Graham. It has nothing to do with a supposed inability to control himself - or pandering to the prudish. It is a common-sense approach to an environment where a single unfounded accusation can ruin both a career and a life. I happen to be in a position to do spiritual counseling in a rectory office environment. When I meet with a woman for the first time, not only is the office door open, but my wife is at the secretary’s desk a few feet away. Maybe after 2 meetings, and with the approval of the person being counseled, my wife doesn’t need to be there. The people I meet with always express appreciation for my sensitivity to their comfort.