The Priest that gets moved to the middle of nowhere!

[JReducation]

If I were a religious superior or a diocesan vocation director, not at the same time, I would point out some things that you may want to think about and discuss with your spiritual director.

First, it’s wonderful that you believe that you’re called to the priesthood. I have no idea if you also feel called to the religious life. For the moment, I’m going to assume that you’re not. That your call is only to the priesthood, in which case you will join either a diocese or a priestly society of apostolic life for secular priests, such as the FSSP.

New to the forum yay

My plans are to be a young priest that embraces the teachings of the church and the excite the parish, to be radically orthodox in church teaching (like we’re supposed to ) .and give awesome homilies that target what’s necessary for salvation!

This is a noble goal and should be the goal of every priest.

Not just the “be a good sheppard” homily that we get every mass. I commonly express my dissatisfaction with my friends on how every priest I met seems to be tired or bored of the faith and always AVOIDS the important issues.

Here, you’re stepping onto a slippery slope. You’re judging these men, almost criticizing them. However, you’re forgetting one thing. You’re joining them, they are not joining you. Therefore, you must embrace them as they are. You must respect them, think and speak charitably about them, and look forward to an entire lifetime with them as your brothers. When entering a family, being its critic is not an indicator of great love for that family.

But here’s the scary part, almost everyone I talk to says that the priest that demands much of his parish, challenges them , addresses hot topic issues and that causes any stress/awareness in his congregation is always moved to the parish in the middle of nowhere!!!

People say many things. It does not make them true. Priests, brothers and sisters are often assigned to the Middle of Nowhere, because they are very strong. These assignments are very difficult, because you spend a lot of time alone. You don’t have much of a support system. They are usually for two kinds of people, those who are the most mature in the spiritual life and those who are the most adventurous.

People tell me it’s because “the bishop doesn’t want the priest to scare the congregation and it’s money away” or “a priest needs to not stress out his congregation”.

Again, people say many things. What bishops do not want priests to do is to frighten the life out of people. They want priests who will preach truth, but also teach it with compassion and great kindness, such as a man like St. Anthony of Padua. Anthony became the Heretic’s Hammer by never mentioning heresy. Whenever he arrived and there was a heretic teaching that the sacraments were unnecessary, Anthony would not tell his audience that the guy next door is a heretic and going to hell or that he is preaching nonsense. On the contrary, Anthony would perach to his audience on the mercy of God and how God loves us so much that he wants to share his divine life with us, even while we’re still on earth and despite the fact that we’re sinners and that he does it through the sacraments. He debunked the heresy, without entering into an argument with the heretic and without frightening or threatening his audience with hell. When he spoke about hell, he spoke about it very theologically. He explained what it is. He did not use it to threaten folks. This is the kind of preacher that bishops want.

 

[JReducation]

SO WHAT’S THE DEAL? Apparently the idea of moving the orthodox priest to the “middle of nowhere” is mentioned in Catholic media, family, friends and even my RE class .

Will a priest be moved for taking a firm/radically orthodox stance in his faith and translating this stance in his preaching?

A priest may be moved for being inappropriate, rude, arrogant, rigid, lacking compassion, uncharitable to his people, not following the directions of his bishop or his superior, if he’s a religious. Usually, he’s not sent to a remote assignment. If you’re a diocesan priest, you usually end up floating from one assignment to another. If you’re a religious, you can end up in the kitchen as the communty’s new cook.

Is this kind of priest, the kind of priest I want to be only idealistic?

I don’t think it’s idealistic. I think it’s very good. But you need to work on your tone. If you were writing to me to ask for admission to my seminary, you would come off as a know it all and someone who has already made up his mind about how things should be and how he’s going to do things. That sends up all kinds of red flags to an Admissions Team. We don’t need priests who are wreckless and heterodox. However, we don’t need priests who are rigid and critical either. We neeed priests who are faithful and humble, who are willing to learn from their brother priests, not walk in with their own manual ready to teach everyone else. We need priests who understand that there is something called the human condition and who are willing to work with it as patiently as did great secular priests like: St. Jean Vianney, St. John Boco, St. Philip Neri, Bl. John Henry Newman, St. John Neumann, and Bl. John Paul II. Two things that these guys had in common were:

1. a great sense of humor. They never took themselves too seriously. They had fun being priests.
2. an open mind. They wanted to learn so they paid close attention to the priests around them. They knew that one can learn from the saint and the sinner. The one teaches you what to do and the other what to avoid.

Like will I go to the seminary and will they teach me to be moderate in my homilies?

Actually, yes. You have to go through homiletics. You will be drilled and grilled on your homilies. You cannot be ordained a deacon until you meet their expectations. Even after ordination, if you’re a secular priest, the bishop has a right to grill you and drill you. If you’re a religious, the bishop has the right to ask your superior to remove you from his diocese. If he does not like what you preach or how you preach it, that’s good enough for Rome.

A priest has to preach Truth. The Church wants him to do so. But one must remember that he is a priest, not a bull in a china shop.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[JRKH]

Yea - What JR said…

Peace
James

 

[Jesus_123]

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**. . . :coffeeread: . . . **
Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word
- Wikipedia,

The Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word (MFVA) are a Public Clerical Association of the Faithful, located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama. They were founded in 1987 by Mother Angelica, who also founded the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) and the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
The primary residence of the Friars is in Irondale, Alabama, and is next door to EWTN. They also have residences in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where their Seminarians attend Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary, and in Hanceville, Alabama, near the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament. …

Many of the Friars take classes during the school year, either at Mount Saint Mary’s University or in their own House of Studies adjacent to the Friary in Birmingham. In contrast to Franciscan communities that focus on the corporal works of mercy, the Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word devote themselves to the spiritual works of mercy. Therefore, they study to gain a deep knowledge of the Catholic faith and practice communicating it effectively.

Adapting to the needs of the time, they have developed into an active order, but still maintain elements of the contemplative life. In addition to pray:goray2:ing the Liturgy of the Hours, the Friars devote an hour each day to Eucharistic Adoration and pray the Daily ray2: Rosary. Spiritually, they are sons of Saint Francis of Assisi and Mother Angelica, and strive to imitate their zeal for the salvation of souls.

The community is composed of** Priests **and Seminarians, as well as Consecrated Brothers. With the Priests attending to the pastoral needs of souls, and the Seminarians to their studies, the Brothers have ample opportunity to serve the apostolates by supplying the common needs of the Friars and through varied assignments in the television, radio and pilgrimage ministries. As a family, or team, all the members share a common goal of continuing Christ Jesus’ work on Earth and bringing about His Eucharistic Reign in the hearts of all people.

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"Humility,
that low sweet root
from which all heavenly virtues shoot."

• Irish Benedictine Couplet

. . . all for Jesus+
. . . thank You Dear Lord our Saviour+
. . . Sweet Spirit of our Holy God please guide and direct+
. . . thank you Holy Mother Mary+
. . . thank you Holy Mother Church+
. . . praise God from Whom all blessings flow+
:harp:​

 

[Digitonomy]

"JRKH:

While I see your point here, I really was not thinking in terms of “politics” which I think carries negative connotations for many. I was thinking more in line with “diplomacy”. Less about compromise and more about consensus building.

I think we’re mostly quibbling over semantics here. I think of diplomacy as being sent from one potentate to represent his interests to another. E.g., the bishop sends you to negotiate with the city on some cooperative issue, or you go to a parent-teacher conference to discuss your daughter’s problems in class. Politics is more furthering your own interests in a group full of other interests. As you say, people often think of politics as a dirty word, but in the broad sense politics is almost everywhere: office politics, family politics, neighborhood politics, Little League politics, Scout troop politics, church committee politics, etc. As for consensus vs compromise, the consensus may turn out to be that you have to compromise and only get one or two of the three things you were pushing for.

I guess my post might have put off the perception that I was concerned with the political implications of the priesthood, but I can assure you that it was the spiritual implications that drove me to consider the priesthood and the spiritual implications that will drive me to carry out the priesthood likewise. In fact, the only concerns (minimal at that) I have left about the priesthood are on these kind of topics concerning the “politics” of it all.

That’s exactly why I said what I said. You are choosing a job that involves people at all levels, and many different groups of people, all with their own interests. Whether that’s the bishop and others at the diocese, or your own pastor, or the parish staff, or the various parish committees, or the parish activities and organizations, or the parish school, or most importantly the congregation.

Some will just do what you say because, hey, you’re a priest. Others may remember the last time they did it that way, years ago, there was disaster. Since you seemed so certain about the matter when you presented it, they may be afraid to challenge you to your face. But they may grumble about you in private, and even more so after the disaster they feared comes to pass because of your pigheadedness. A gentler touch might have accomplished your goal, even if the execution of the plan differed a bit from your original idea, by taking into account the concerns of others, and involving others in overcoming those problems.

Similarly, if the mass is full of abuses when you arrive, it may make sense to address some abuses right away, but rather than alienate a large chunk of the parish, let them get to know and trust you, and see that the liturgy is still fine, and hopefully even better than when you arrived, before you spring some of the bigger changes on them six months or a year or two years later.

Oh, and on this board read JReducation every time he posts. I don’t agree with every point he makes, but he brings a mature, charitable, and well-reasoned approach to everything he says. That’s important for all of us to emulate, but especially those who want to be priests.

 

[Jesus_123]

. . . :coffeeread: . . .
Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word

Vocations
As Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word, we are a religious order of Priests and Brothers, founded by Mother Mary Angelica, P.C.P.A., in 1987, who are seeking to live an authentic renewal of consecrated life in the Franciscan tradition. Living in obedience, without anything of our own and in chastity, we share a common life of prayer before the exposed Blessed Sacrament and in Total Consecration to the Mother of God according to St. Louis Marie de Montfort. As consecrated friars, we bear new names in religion of various Saints or Blesseds as well as our Blessed Mothers.

We are dedicated to the work of evangelization – preaching and teaching the Catholic Faith so as to seek out the lost and make known to all men the love and salvation of Jesus Christ. “The Lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back” – Ezekiel 34:16

Catholic men between the ages of 21-35, who would like more information about our community or are interested in setting up a visit, are invited to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!

Discernment
Each of us has a vocation or a call from God – a calling to holiness of life! We ought also to ask the Lord what He wants us to do with our lives. It seems reasonable to assume that most are called to get married, as this is built into our very nature. However, some are called to give themselves entirely to God with an undivided heart :;heart: and to heed His call to follow Him by entering the priesthood or the consecrated life. We are reminded of this special calling by** Jesus’** words: “You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you” (Jn 15:16). We must listen for His voice and for His inspirations as we discern what God’s will is in our lives. If you sense a desire to give more generously of yourself to Christ and to live as he lived – poor, chaste, and obedient – you should waste no time in contacting a religious order faithful to the Magisterium or your diocesan vocation office. After making contact, try to set up a visit. You should have a good idea after making a visit if that particular community or diocese is where** God **may be calling you to serve Him and His Church unreservedly for the salvation of souls.

Formation
The formation and testing of a vocation, both by the candidate and by the Community, extends over the entire period between reception into postulancy and perpetual profession. In addition to seeking to grow in **God’s **grace and to love Him with all one’s soul, the period of formation also includes being formed in the charism of our community, and in all the elements of religious life, including the spiritual, human, fraternal, apostolic, cultural, pastoral and intellectual dimensions.

:compcoff: **Link: **http://www.franciscanmissionaries.com/
​

. . . all for Jesus+
. . . Heavenly Shepherd guide this soul
in Thy Holy Pathway perfected for his soul+
​

 

[JReducation]

I think we’re mostly quibbling over semantics here. I think of diplomacy as being sent from one potentate to represent his interests to another. E.g., the bishop sends you to negotiate with the city on some cooperative issue, or you go to a parent-teacher conference to discuss your daughter’s problems in class. Politics is more furthering your own interests in a group full of other interests. As you say, people often think of politics as a dirty word, but in the broad sense politics is almost everywhere: office politics, family politics, neighborhood politics, Little League politics, Scout troop politics, church committee politics, etc. As for consensus vs compromise, the consensus may turn out to be that you have to compromise and only get one or two of the three things you were pushing for.That’s exactly why I said what I said. You are choosing a job that involves people at all levels, and many different groups of people, all with their own interests. Whether that’s the bishop and others at the diocese, or your own pastor, or the parish staff, or the various parish committees, or the parish activities and organizations, or the parish school, or most importantly the congregation.

Some will just do what you say because, hey, you’re a priest. Others may remember the last time they did it that way, years ago, there was disaster. Since you seemed so certain about the matter when you presented it, they may be afraid to challenge you to your face. But they may grumble about you in private, and even more so after the disaster they feared comes to pass because of your pigheadedness. A gentler touch might have accomplished your goal, even if the execution of the plan differed a bit from your original idea, by taking into account the concerns of others, and involving others in overcoming those problems.

Similarly, if the mass is full of abuses when you arrive, it may make sense to address some abuses right away, but rather than alienate a large chunk of the parish, let them get to know and trust you, and see that the liturgy is still fine, and hopefully even better than when you arrived, before you spring some of the bigger changes on them six months or a year or two years later.

Oh, and on this board read JReducation every time he posts. I don’t agree with every point he makes, but he brings a mature, charitable, and well-reasoned approach to everything he says. That’s important for all of us to emulate, but especially those who want to be priests.

Well, I’m glad to know that I don’t have a fan club here. But thank you for your kind words. Can I quote you to my superior?

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Orogeny]

Well, I’m glad to know that I don’t have a fan club here. But thank you for your kind words. Can I quote you to my superior?

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

Count me as one member of that fan club!

Peace

Tim

 

[Yellow_Belle]

QUOTE=Spider_Penguin;7937251New to the forum yay

So I’m going to the seminary literally a year from now when i graduate, and I’m so excited! I guess you can say I have that fire of faith that is so often described in spiritual reading and the writings of the church fathers.Going from being a women and music obsessed teen to a aspiring saint as left quite the impact!

The other posters have given you great advice and good responses, especially about the upside of being in the middle of nowhere

BUT, why are you worrying about all this when you haven’t even completed seminary yet? Or even started it, perhaps? If seminary changes your way of thinking then why do you assume that that would necessarily be a bad thing? Don’t you trust the seminary you’re entering to form you in the faith and spirituality necessary to live your life in the ordained ministry???

And a little tiny quibble 'cause I’m obsessive about this : you’ll find life easier in the seminary if you already know that SHEPHERD is the correct spelling

 

[Digitonomy]

Well, I’m glad to know that I don’t have a fan club here. But thank you for your kind words. Can I quote you to my superior?

Feel free, but you may not want him thinking you had any influence on some of what I’ve written.

 

[The_Old_Medic]

Oh the zeal of the young.

You will learn, or you will never be ordained, that obedience to your Bishop is required. There is no if, ands or buts about that. The Bishop has the absolute right to set the tone for his Diocese.

You will also learn HOW to preach, and that is NOT to tame the people, or inflame them. That is NOT your role as a priest or as a Deacon. You will be VERY unlikely to have a Parish of you own for at least the first two-three years. Instead, you will function under an experienced pastor, who will also have the right and the obligation to help you learn how to approach your congregation.

If you either can not, or will not, learn how to deal appropriately with a congregation, then YES, you will find yourself on the outside looking in. There are assignments that are not pastoral in nature, and there are rural pastorates (including ones where the Priest goes to 2-3 different churches every Sunday).

If you want to be a radical, find some other way to do that.

 

[JReducation]

I always tell the men who apply to join my little community. “You’re joining this outfit. It’s not joining you. You bring gifts to the table and the brothers are glad to receive them, but you must first be willing to acknowledge their gifts, their experience, their wisdom and be willing to accept their limitations, their humanity, their struggles and their sinfulness as Christ does. If you cannot think this way, you do not belong with us.”

Those of us on these vocation threads need to help the young preserve their enthusiasm and curb their pride. We can do this by helping them understand several things.

1. No one decides to be a priest, brother, sister or nun. You hear a call and you decide to respond. If you’re a diocesan, only the bishop decides whether or not you have a vocation to be a priest. If you belong to a religious community, only the major superior decides whether or not you have a vocation to be both: a religious and a priest. Christ speaks ONLY thought the bishop or the religious superior, no other way. This is the faith of the Church.
2. No one has the right to be a priest, brother, sister or nun. It is a privilege granted by Christ to those who don’t deserve it. The privilege is confirmed by ecclesial authorities.
3. Entering a diocesan seminary or a religious community is very much like marriage. You must feel love for the other or it will not work. You may as well not try, if all you feel for the other is superiority and condescension.
4. You do not enter a seminary or religious order to improve it or to fix it. That will get you through three months before you’re back on the street looking for another place to enter. Even saints have no patience for those who come with their own manual.
5. While it is true that priests, brothers, sisters and nuns make mistakes, become cold, sin like everyone else, it is also true that the person who is entering is doing so because he or she knows the he is a sinner and is looking to save his soul. You become one with other sinners on the journey to holiness. If you’re an antagonist, then you’re not looking to save your soul. You will come off as one who is looking to save his brothers, as their messiah.
6. One must cultivate a life of prayer and in that prayer, one must always ask for the gift of humility. We must pray that we will always be the lowest of the low, the servant of the servants, the student of the students or as St. Francis taught us, the dirt beneath the feet of the rest. Only when we accept this about ourselves can we be good priests and religious.

I would ask the lay faithful who are trying to be helpful to remind the young men and women who come to this forum about these things. If you forget everything that I’ve said, please remember one thing to say to these young men and women. “You’re joining their outfit. They’re not joining you.”

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Jesus_123]

. . . :coffeeread: . . .
The Consecrated Life
A religious vocation is not a feeling you have; it is a choice you make. It is a choice that God invites some to, both for the good of the Church and their own good. And the decision is this: to accompany Jesus during life, and to love and to suffer with Him for the salvation of souls. What would lead someone to make this choice, you ask? Simply the love of Jesus and the desire to be like Him – even to the point of sacrificing oneself for sinners. …

But religious life is a pilgrimage of dedicated, loving service that leads to a deep union with God. For as Jesus *** Himself said, “Those who lose their life for My*** sake will find it” (cf. Matt. 16:24-27). Yes, they will find their life in Him, in His Heart , where there is a special place for those consecrated to the imitation and service of Christ. Consecrated persons are called to accompany Jesus in His mission. And one day, the pilgrimage of religious life will bring them to the most desirable of destinations – to Heaven. There, when God wipes away their last tear, they’ll recognize His wounded hand.

But first, there is work to be done, prayers to be offered, Jesus and the Saints to be imitated. For as **Pope John Paul II **wrote in Vita Consecrata, his apostolic exhortation on the consecrated life:

“Consecrated persons make visible, in their consecration and total dedication, the loving and saving presence of Christ**, the One consecrated by the Father, sent in mission. Allowing themselves to be won over by Him, they prepare to become, in a certain way, a prolongation of His humanity. The consecrated life eloquently shows that the more one lives in Christ, the better one can serve Him in others….” (Vita Consecrata, No. 76)

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- Br. Bernard Mary, MFVA
Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word​

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:compcoff: Link: franciscanmissionaries.com/article/the-consecrated-life/

. . . all for Jesus+
. . . To God Be All The Honor and All the Glory+​