T
TiggerS
Guest
Went through the thread and made comments here and there. Each comment is only my opinion with now 67 years of the journey behind me. Apologies I have not stated the author of the various comments (typed in bold).
St Francis of Assisi and St Clare both went against what was expected of them and by family and friends - which is to state that it is not always wise to strive to live up to others expectations. Spiritual direction.
I’m just not really sure about this whole thing. I keep saying to myself “it’s easy, just follow God. Wherever he leads” but I just don’t know if this is practical
Sometimes, but not always, Divine Providence does not seem practical at all. I urge you to put your desires to your spiritual director – and following whatever is recommended. In that way, you are assured of being embraced by God’s Will and will be docile, humble and obedient under spiritual direction. The Church is more inclined to use “common sense” than “practical” -and St. Albert in the Ancient Rule of Carmel said “common sense is the guide of all the virtues”. But then, we have had saints who seemed to defy all common sense on any level at times. Exceptions that prove the rule I guess. Spiritual direction, which I just cannot recommend highly enough.
***SO my question, really, is this: do vocations HAVE to have a sort of ceremony? I don’t know the right term (wasn’t raised Catholic, don’t know much *)
The Church apparently is considering some sort of fourth category in “Consecrated Life” in Canon Law to cover those thousands in The Church who do want to dedicate their lives, but not in religious life. Apparently, once more, this fourth category will have similarities to a secular institute. However, when and if a further revision of Canon Law will take place and be promulgated – and whether it includes this fourth category is anybody’s guess and it may take 30 years or more. See my post for link to article by Fr John Hardon SJ : HERE
If one is making a vow to God privately, with the agreement of the celebrant, the vow can be made immediately after Mass in the presence of those attending Mass. Such a vow or vows, however, remains a private vow to God. One is not in consecrated life per se as laid out in current Canon Law and remains a person in lay celibacy and secular life.
Incidentally, have you looked into secular institutes. These are consecrated lives formally in The Church but members remain in secular life in their own homes etc. and with some, their own personal apostolate or mission. Some secular institutes do have a particular apostolate or mission.
I’m a traditional type of person so living in a non-traditional way makes me a little uncomfortable, but it’s where I feel I’m being lead, and I’d rather do God’s will than what makes me comfortable.
The lay celibate single state as one’s choice in life goes right back to the earliest Church. Religious Life was formed by such people. Eventually they got together and lived in groups or communities and further on,The Church recognized the leadings of the Holy Spirit and enshrined their way of life in Canon Law as religious life in the consecrated state. Everything has a beginning, starts somewhere or other, somehow or other.
What an adventure it would be!
Very true
The lay celibate state in secular life by its very nature remains open to a further call from God and perhaps into a different state of life – marriage, religious life etc.
This is no small issue. Your safety is profoundly at risk. The streets are more cruel than anyone who has not been there can imagine. … When I think back to the scrapes I barely made it out of … Grace should never be discounted, but please don’t make the mistake of testing God’s providence.
One would be very wise to consider and put it to one’s spiritual director that the streets can be very dangerous indeed – very dangerous. And especially if one is not ‘street-wise’ and somewhat naïve and inexperienced in life and the situations life can present. The only way to become street-wise is through being on the streets, whether one is homeless or extended mixing with same – and even if one has extensively mixed with the homeless living on the streets, it may or may not bring about a street-wise mentality. Even if street-wise, there is always someone moreso and this can present dangerous situations.
A priest prison chaplain once told me that he had worked in prisons as a chaplain and priest for over 20 years and he still could not confidently assess if an inmate was being honest and sincere, or deceptive and manipulative. He told me that those in prison had to live by their wits – and when they came out of jail into the general community, very often they were quite skilled deceivers and manipulators. Whether they continued on this course or not in the general community was their decision.
Concluded in next post
St Francis of Assisi and St Clare both went against what was expected of them and by family and friends - which is to state that it is not always wise to strive to live up to others expectations. Spiritual direction.
I’m just not really sure about this whole thing. I keep saying to myself “it’s easy, just follow God. Wherever he leads” but I just don’t know if this is practical
Sometimes, but not always, Divine Providence does not seem practical at all. I urge you to put your desires to your spiritual director – and following whatever is recommended. In that way, you are assured of being embraced by God’s Will and will be docile, humble and obedient under spiritual direction. The Church is more inclined to use “common sense” than “practical” -and St. Albert in the Ancient Rule of Carmel said “common sense is the guide of all the virtues”. But then, we have had saints who seemed to defy all common sense on any level at times. Exceptions that prove the rule I guess. Spiritual direction, which I just cannot recommend highly enough.
***SO my question, really, is this: do vocations HAVE to have a sort of ceremony? I don’t know the right term (wasn’t raised Catholic, don’t know much *)
The Church apparently is considering some sort of fourth category in “Consecrated Life” in Canon Law to cover those thousands in The Church who do want to dedicate their lives, but not in religious life. Apparently, once more, this fourth category will have similarities to a secular institute. However, when and if a further revision of Canon Law will take place and be promulgated – and whether it includes this fourth category is anybody’s guess and it may take 30 years or more. See my post for link to article by Fr John Hardon SJ : HERE
If one is making a vow to God privately, with the agreement of the celebrant, the vow can be made immediately after Mass in the presence of those attending Mass. Such a vow or vows, however, remains a private vow to God. One is not in consecrated life per se as laid out in current Canon Law and remains a person in lay celibacy and secular life.
Incidentally, have you looked into secular institutes. These are consecrated lives formally in The Church but members remain in secular life in their own homes etc. and with some, their own personal apostolate or mission. Some secular institutes do have a particular apostolate or mission.
I’m a traditional type of person so living in a non-traditional way makes me a little uncomfortable, but it’s where I feel I’m being lead, and I’d rather do God’s will than what makes me comfortable.
The lay celibate single state as one’s choice in life goes right back to the earliest Church. Religious Life was formed by such people. Eventually they got together and lived in groups or communities and further on,The Church recognized the leadings of the Holy Spirit and enshrined their way of life in Canon Law as religious life in the consecrated state. Everything has a beginning, starts somewhere or other, somehow or other.
What an adventure it would be!
Very true
The lay celibate state in secular life by its very nature remains open to a further call from God and perhaps into a different state of life – marriage, religious life etc.
This is no small issue. Your safety is profoundly at risk. The streets are more cruel than anyone who has not been there can imagine. … When I think back to the scrapes I barely made it out of … Grace should never be discounted, but please don’t make the mistake of testing God’s providence.
One would be very wise to consider and put it to one’s spiritual director that the streets can be very dangerous indeed – very dangerous. And especially if one is not ‘street-wise’ and somewhat naïve and inexperienced in life and the situations life can present. The only way to become street-wise is through being on the streets, whether one is homeless or extended mixing with same – and even if one has extensively mixed with the homeless living on the streets, it may or may not bring about a street-wise mentality. Even if street-wise, there is always someone moreso and this can present dangerous situations.
A priest prison chaplain once told me that he had worked in prisons as a chaplain and priest for over 20 years and he still could not confidently assess if an inmate was being honest and sincere, or deceptive and manipulative. He told me that those in prison had to live by their wits – and when they came out of jail into the general community, very often they were quite skilled deceivers and manipulators. Whether they continued on this course or not in the general community was their decision.
Concluded in next post
