Yeah, that question was in the back of my mind somewhere. It’s done often, however. We have a family friend that is in a Franciscan order as a priest, and they renew their vows each year. So, I’m not sure what is actually happening when a vow is renewed. It does seem superfluous.Isn’t renewal of vows an oxymoron? I mean, the original vow said “'til death do us part”. So what are you renewing?
We renew our baptismal promises every easter at the vigil.Isn’t renewal of vows an oxymoron? I mean, the original vow said “'til death do us part”. So what are you renewing?
I don’t think there’s anything “superfluous” about a couple publicly renewing their commitment to each other, in the setting of the Church, at significant milestones in their married life. For that matter, the Church invites us to renew our Baptismal vows every year at the Easter Vigil. In an era when marriage is under such attack, I would think the example of long-term sacramental marital commitment would be regarded as something to publicly celebrate, not something to regard as “superfluous” or something irregular or marginal.Yeah, that question was in the back of my mind somewhere. It’s done often, however. We have a family friend that is in a Franciscan order as a priest, and they renew their vows each year. So, I’m not sure what is actually happening when a vow is renewed. It does seem superfluous.
Promises and vows are two different things thoughWe renew our baptismal promises every easter at the vigil.
There is nothing sinister in it. Renewal of vows and promises helps remind us, that’s all.
-Tim-
Maybe renewal is not the right word? Reaffirmation perhaps? Meaning you’re publicly proclaiming you’ve remained true to your vow and committed to continue being true to it. Renew connotes that something is getting worn down and needs to be refreshed.Yeah, that question was in the back of my mind somewhere. It’s done often, however. We have a family friend that is in a Franciscan order as a priest, and they renew their vows each year. So, I’m not sure what is actually happening when a vow is renewed. It does seem superfluous.
Married men who become Permanent Deacons do not promise to be celibate. They do promise not to remarry should their wife pass away, but that is hardly the same thing as being celibate within an existing marriage. A married man who becomes a Deacon still has the vocation of a husband and, if their marriage has produced children, the vocation of a father.I’m looking into diaconnate formation, and my son asked me this question. My gut response is to say, “of course.” I suppose the intention of the promise of celibacy is to not marry a different person. But, it seems like it would be a violation of the promise since a vow renewal does have the participants saying, “I, Mr so-and-so, take you, mrs. so-and-so, to be my wife…”
Well, maybe I have this turned around. But my understanding, however, is that a person promising celibacy is promising to not marry. So, if already married - they cannot marry again, and if not married, then they cannot marry at all. However, when it comes to sex, the term is “chastity”. I understand that people in religious orders make vows of chastity.Married men who become Permanent Deacons do not promise to be celibate. They do promise not to remarry should their wife pass away, but that is hardly the same thing as being celibate within an existing marriage. A married man who becomes a Deacon still has the vocation of a husband and, if their marriage has produced children, the vocation of a father.
It may not be “superfluous”, but it is without Sacramental meaning. It changes nothing.I don’t think there’s anything “superfluous” about a couple publicly renewing their commitment to each other, in the setting of the Church, at significant milestones in their married life. For that matter, the Church invites us to renew our Baptismal vows every year at the Easter Vigil. In an era when marriage is under such attack, I would think the example of long-term sacramental marital commitment would be regarded as something to publicly celebrate, not something to regard as “superfluous” or something irregular or marginal.
I believe you do indeed have it turned around. Married Permanent Deacons do not take vows of celibacy.Well, maybe I have this turned around. But my understanding, however, is that a person promising celibacy is promising to not marry. So, if already married - they cannot marry again, and if not married, then they cannot marry at all. However, when it comes to sex, the term is “chastity”. I understand that people in religious orders make vows of chastity.
So, even though the Permanent Deacons make a vow of celibacy, that is not saying that they are going to refrain from marital relations with their wives.
From the Canadian Marriage Ritual, Appendix IX “The Celebration of Wedding Anniversaries”Isn’t renewal of vows an oxymoron? I mean, the original vow said “'til death do us part”. So what are you renewing?
Every married man who considers the diaconate needs to consider celibacy as a very real possiblity to the same extent that an unmarried man considering the diaconate does.Married men who become Permanent Deacons do not promise to be celibate. They do promise not to remarry should their wife pass away, but that is hardly the same thing as being celibate within an existing marriage. A married man who becomes a Deacon still has the vocation of a husband and, if their marriage has produced children, the vocation of a father.
I have no problem agreeing with that, though to be fair, women tend to outlive their husbands for the most part. However, your main point is well taken that it is certainly a possibility that you will end up in the celibate state regardless of whether you started there or not. Those discerning a vocation to the diaconate should give that due consideration.Every married man who considers the diaconate needs to consider celibacy as a very real possiblity to the same extent that an unmarried man considering the diaconate does.
There are many married men who fail to realistically consider the possiblity that their wife will pre-decease them and when it happens, they cannot cope for one reason or another. There are some deacons who ask to be laicized or simply walk away, or ask for a dispensation to remarry and these are very difficult to get.
I think every man diserning the diaconate needs to consider that God might call him to have an undivided heart sooner than he expects.
-Tim-
I think the stat is that 84% or 85% of women outlive their husbands.I have no problem agreeing with that, though to be fair, women tend to outlive their husbands for the most part. However, your main point is well taken that it is certainly a possibility that you will end up in the celibate state regardless of whether you started there or not. Those discerning a vocation to the diaconate should give that due consideration.