MFVA and vocation prayers

[debraran]

Our household received the newsletter from the MFVA’s of EWTN. This month Fr. Anthony Mary asked for prayers, months if possible for vocations to their ministry. He ended by saying, “by God’s design we hope to be able to welcome a class of solid new canditates in October”.

I pray for vocations, (prayer link below) but I like to single out priests, brothers, nuns, different orders,etc. and other times, “all religious”.

I know just searching for other things, sometimes I’ll see a few lines of a blog saying that a friend was turned down by the friars or recently someone stated they were too heavy and needed to work on other problems but would re-apply in a year. It’s such a long formation process, that even with good seminarians, having a priest to help with mass, confessions, and other sacraments can take a while, which is why it is nice to have an ongoing class.

2heartsnetwork.org/priests.htm

 

[RevDrNorth]

Our household received the newsletter from the MFVA’s of EWTN. This month Fr. Anthony Mary asked for prayers, months if possible for vocations to their ministry. He ended by saying, “by God’s design we hope to be able to welcome a class of solid new canditates in October”.

I pray for vocations, (prayer link below) but I like to single out priests, brothers, nuns, different orders,etc. and other times, “all religious”.

I know just searching for other things, sometimes I’ll see a few lines of a blog saying that a friend was turned down by the friars or recently someone stated they were too heavy and needed to work on other problems but would re-apply in a year. It’s such a long formation process, that even with good seminarians, having a priest to help with mass, confessions, and other sacraments can take a while, which is why it is nice to have an ongoing class.

2heartsnetwork.org/priests.htm

It can be tough to get the answer “wait” but if it is God’s will it will occur. As you note there can be many reasons and it is good that the Church is not simply accepting all comers. I know of a case in an Anglican Church where the issue of weight (as you note) was an issue. The Bishop told the man to lose some of it (no genetic issues) since it was a poor witness especially to youth. This guy rather than do that left and was ordained in a small evangelical Protestant sect.

Certainly, it is part of the discernment process for the person seeking and the Bishop or order to know whether the person will be a good fit (as best you can with faulty judgement).

I think there is a resurgence in orthodox vocations and that is wonderful!!! How the MFVA are doing I am not sure. I read that the Female order is doing well where the male is struggling more. Not sure why because it looks like a terrific ministry. Hope Fr.Mary Francis works things out and if it is God’s will, returns. He great with Life on the Rock.

 

[debraran]

I don’t know why either, but it is a different vocation for sure, the friars vs the nuns. I think maybe it is the “tv part” to some degree isn’t attractive to some, the location, (Alabama might seem too distant or isolated?) and maybe just how it is run. I’m sure they get people stopping in to discern, but with the TV part as a draw (good and bad) you have to be careful it isn’t that aspect that is drawing you. They mainly serve the nuns and the tourists and EWTN which is great but it’s limited to a degree. It’s a fit or it isn’t.

I know Fr. Groechels order franciscanfriars.com is doing very well and I enjoy reading their “e-letter” on their site and seeing what they are up too. Their order is more strict, they work with the poor and have nothing, but attract many men and women from all over the globe and have since they started and were more unknown. The ones that are able to continue though want a different charism. I hope all the good, orthodox groups flourish and although it can’t be rushed, that our children and their children, have new renewed parishes and leaders.