Pope urges young people to priesthood

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VATICAN CITY (AFP) - Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday called for young people to consider joining the clergy, as the Catholic Church struggles to counter a decline in new priests in Western countries.

‘We pray that all young people be attentive to the voice of God which speaks to their heart and calls on them to detach themselves from everything and to follow him,’ the pope told thousands of faithful in Saint Peter’s Square.

‘The Lord is always calling, but sometimes we don’t listen. We are distracted by many things, by other more superficial voices, and we are afraid to listen to the Lord’s voice because we think it could take away our freedom,’ he said.

At a mass in Saint Peter’s earlier on Sunday the pope ordained nine men into the priesthood including a former airline pilot and an ex-prosecutor.

straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/World/Story/STIStory_793845.html
 
Whats God asking me to do with my life? It’s something all unmarried catholic men should consider. For some the answer will be Priesthood, but if you don’t ask you won’t know!
 
“Young people … priesthood” or “young people … clergy”?

Young people could be young women. The Pope probably does urge young women to the religious life. But not to priesthood or clergy.

In the only Catholic Church definition I can find of the word “clergy” - this refers to Bishops, priests, and deacons - not our dear orders of religious women.

Maybe the headline writer went too far - or the writer of the story didn’t go far enough in reporting.

The Pope probably urges us older folk to SOMETHING more than we are now too! Just not in THAT speech.
 
CaptFun said:
“Young people … priesthood” or “young people … clergy”?

Young people could be young women. The Pope probably does urge young women to the religious life. But not to priesthood or clergy.

In the only Catholic Church definition I can find of the word “clergy” - this refers to Bishops, priests, and deacons - not our dear orders of religious women.

Maybe the headline writer went too far - or the writer of the story didn’t go far enough in reporting.

The Pope probably urges us older folk to SOMETHING more than we are now too! Just not in THAT speech.
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I read the regina Caeli it’s in italian here: vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/angelus/2012/documents/hf_ben-xvi_reg_20120429_it.html I’m sure translation programs will give the meaning accurately enough.
The holy father doesn’t narrow it to the priestly vocation but talks of vocation in general using the newly ordained as examples. He says that the youth(pl) ordained as priests today are no different from the rest of the youth, but have Responded to God’s love with their lives. The church should be like a watered garden where all the seeds of vocation can sprout and mature.
 
Pope Urges Young People to Priesthood

VATICAN CITY (AFP) - Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday called for young people to consider joining the clergy, as the Catholic Church struggles to counter a decline in new priests in Western countries.

‘We pray that all young people be attentive to the voice of God which speaks to their heart and calls on them to detach themselves from everything and to follow him,’ the pope told thousands of faithful in Saint Peter’s Square.

‘The Lord is always calling, but sometimes we don’t listen. We are distracted by many things, by other more superficial voices, and we are afraid to listen to the Lord’s voice because we think it could take away our freedom,’ he said.
Call me “Parsin’ Fun” as I parse this:

Incorrect headline - Change “Priesthood” to “Vocations” and “Young People” of either sex are called. OR … change “people” to “men” to agree with “priesthood”.

Paragraph one: The writer summarizes the event (the Pope’s call to young people),
then mixes in a bit of editorializing (possibly - did the Pope say this?) > regarding “as the Church struggles to counter a decline in new priests in Western Countries.” ** - see below*

Paragraph two: It does seem that the Pope is calling “all young people” to vocations in Christ be they formal with vows or less formally in a committed to Christ lay life. I have added to what was said - but in the broadest possible sense I am sure of. Because the Pope seems to be speaking broadly to a large, diverse audience.

Paragraph three: More broad brush strokes from Pope Benedict, identifying himself with his whole audience in a (universal it looks like to me) “we”.
** (Maybe I just don’t agree with the writer’s editorializing. I’ve seen “The Church” in my area struggle with ACCEPTING willing candidates for priesthood, while at the same time “retiring” already ordained priests who’d seem perfectly capable of still saying masses, hearing confessions, annointing the sick, etc.

When I told a visiting Bishop I gave a mission donation to " … ordain more priests …" he sighed and muttered " … those people cost money …". He at least WAS from the third world and WAS there fundraising - but I chided in my next donation letter to him. “Isn’t a Bishop who doesn’t ordain priests - sort of practicing ‘birth control’?”

He thanked me - and said he appreciated my sense of humor. I still hope he ordains more (good) priests. 🙂
*
 
Discerning the Priesthood right now. My Godfather/sponsor is also my Parish Deacon and has been helping me with formation. If I truly have a valid calling to the Priesthood then I ask you my brothers and sisters to pray for me (I will certainly need them).
 
SaintPatrick333 said:
Discerning the Priesthood right now. My Godfather/sponsor is also my Parish Deacon and has been helping me with formation. If I truly have a valid calling to the Priesthood then I ask you my brothers and sisters to pray for me (I will certainly need them).
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Well you seem to be doing YOUR part right now! Prayers for you for certain! Jesus bless “St. Patrick” with a renewal of the Holy Spirit and His sevenfold gifts conferred at Confirmation! And may HIS gifts of Knowledge, Understanding, Wisdom and Counsel guide him, Fear of the Lord inspire him, Piety enfold him and Fortitude sustain him!

May he continue to work through you. And me. And all our “brothers and sisters” here. 🙂
 
I would become a priest, except I feel I am too unholy to do so. Not only that, but my parents would not approve and I am disabled and can’t do anything without their permission. Also I am not in a Western country
 
SaintPatrick333 said:
Discerning the Priesthood right now. My Godfather/sponsor is also my Parish Deacon and has been helping me with formation. If I truly have a valid calling to the Priesthood then I ask you my brothers and sisters to pray for me (I will certainly need them).
Click to expand...
👍

I’m entering the Seminary this fall.
 
SaintPatrick333 said:
Discerning the Priesthood right now. My Godfather/sponsor is also my Parish Deacon and has been helping me with formation. If I truly have a valid calling to the Priesthood then I ask you my brothers and sisters to pray for me (I will certainly need them).
Click to expand...
I pray that your discernment goes well and that you find the path God wants you to lead.
God calls us all to something, if He calls you to be a priest may you be a holy one.
May God bless and keep you.
 
Unfortunately, the culture of the “modern world” says that men are worthless creatures that have a history of dominating women and other cultures. It says men are barbaric and no longer worthy to lead. Men are not even worthy enough to be husbands or fathers. Feminism has negative impacted God’s creation. I read somewhere that there have already been hundreds of thousands of men undergoing Sex Reassignment surgery (a form of self mutilation). Men stopped wanting to be men because we’re so evil… if you accept the secular culture’s lies.

I pray that my children not only answer God’s call to become priests/religious, but that they actually become priests/religious. It’s a calling, but it’s also a formation that keeps one true to a calling. Just like when men, or women, are tempted with extra marital affairs and they say “NO” to that temptation. So can men and women in priestly and religious formation say no to temptations outside of their vocation. I believe many people misunderstand vocation.
 
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