Vow of Poverty

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Can someone explain this?

Let me explain why I’m asking.

Recently I had my dogs blessed by 2 priests (although I can’t confirm they’re Catholic…the blessing was non-denominational but they discussed St. Francis and were introduced as priests). Anyway, at the event I ran into them, not knowing they were priests and both had their own greyhounds. Upon learning who they were, I was surprised as I did not know that priests could have pets!

Secondly, I also learned that my parish priest owns his own home in conjunction with another priest. Apparently they had owned another one prior on prime real estate, sold it, and had another built in what is now a booming area.

So in light of this…what does the vow of poverty entail?

It’s not that I don’t support priests having pets…in fact, I think it’s a wonderful thing for them to be able to go home to a companion who won’t judge or question them, but rather offers support. I think it’s very healthy.

However…home ownership? When one takes a vow of poverty? Apparently this is common knowledge so I don’t think they’re doing anything wrong per se, but I don’t understand what “poverty” is supposed to mean.

I know there are religious here and others with TONS of knowledge, so if someone could inform the rest of us as confused as I… :confused:
 
Only Priests that belong to religious orders take a vow of poverty. Diocean or other “secular” priests merely promise to live simply, as befits an alter Christus.
 
Parish priests or “secular” diocesean priests do not take a vow of poverty. Many that I have known have dogs as pets. They can own property. Some priests come from well off families. Some late vocations have done well in business before becoming priests.

When I was a child, long, long ago, a parish priest who had presided at my parents wedding gave us an an Irish Setter. He was Irish, from the Old Country, and bred and showed that breed of dogs as a hobby. When he retired, he returnmed to Ireland and lived with his sister. Another priest I knew, again in my childhood, had been a child actor on Broadway and then a theatrical agent before becoming a priest. He was rather well off. We had a house fire and lost almost everything. There were seven children. This priest procured a rent free house for us while ours was being rebuilt and he gave my father his credit card to buy us clothes, saying, “just return it when you are done.” He did not want nor would he accept reimbursement.

Having money, properties and investments is neither good nor bad in and of itself. It can be either depending on the heart of the individual. I have seen both.
 
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Emmaus:
Having money, properties and investments is neither good nor bad in and of itself. It can be either depending on the heart of the individual. I have seen both.
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So true! I know I myself, since I’ve obtained my current job, have actually felt guilty…even though I’m barely paying my bills, I can identify several things I think are somewhat frivolous (ie buying a new car instead of forking thousands into the old to maintain it…). I don’t think I really understand finances from a really Biblical perspective, and that’s another issue.

I have spent time in Third World countries, and I know that I am wealthy by their standards, and make decent money based on ours…but yet, I can’t buy a single family home on my salary, although I have enough to pay for a townhome, a new car (modest car) on my money.

I guess Iook to priests as a measure (or other religious) to help me understand this, right or wrong. And I have to admit, after the answers already given I feel better. I know my Mom is proud as I’ve done better than she, financially…but without her I wouldn’t have any of it. But I digress.

Now, as an addendum to the first question…I have considered relgious life, and believe that in order to become a nun I would have to take a vow of poverty. There has been an answer regardign joining an order. Is it possible for a woman to become a “secular” (as in the same context of secular priest) nun and keep pets?

This is terrible in the sense of faith, but my biggest barrier to becoming a nun (other than I don’t think I’m really called) is that they can’t have pets…pets are property. I took a vow, and I consider it personally a vow to God that I will take care of these animals for the expan of their lives. They are gifts.

Is there a religious option for a woman?

So I guess I really have 2 questions regarding this thread.
 
JC- Nuns do have pets. Check out the Poor Claire Sisters at www.franciscancards.com They have a dog named Angie, a cat, and a bird named Pi. Sister Pat puts out a daily peace card and often mentions tha adventures of the pets. They are cloistered nuns.

God bless you,
Deacon Tony
 
Just to clarify.
All Secular priests are not diocesan priests. Many Religious priests are also in parishes. Different Orders have different “Rules” which define the Orders function in the Church and the world.

The vow of poverty is a detachment from material things. It does not mean that I as a Franciscan cannot touch money as St. Francis required of his followers at the time he established the Order. Today it means not becoming attached to material things in a way that they would interfere with your relationship with God.

So no it does not mean that if you wear a brown robe you must sleep under the highway overpass or in a shelter. I have however done both many times.
 
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JCPhoenix:
Is it possible for a woman to become a “secular” (as in the same context of secular priest) nun and keep pets?
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I know a canonical hermit under canon 603 who keeps a German shepherd (the fact that he is a Priest is beside the point), and another hermit sister who, because of a disability, has 2 service dogs. However, becoming a canonical hermit is NOT easy. It takes years and it takes MUCH discernment on the part of the bishop, your spiritual director, and yourself.

You might consider the option of becoming a consecrated virgin. For this, however, one must actually be a virgin.

Prowl around on the Internet and you’ll find links to these. The Diocese of Racine has some excellent techical guidelines for those who seek hermit status. The guidelines do not address the spiritual heart of the matter but do help with the specifics, like who will control your money.
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JCPhoenix:
my biggest barrier to becoming a nun (other than I don’t think I’m really called)
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:rotfl:

Other than . . . ? That kind of clinches it, doesn’t it?
 
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mercygate:
Prowl around on the Internet and you’ll find links to these. The Diocese of Racine has some excellent techical guidelines for those who seek hermit status. The guidelines do not address the spiritual heart of the matter but do help with the specifics, like who will control your money.
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I’m having trouble googling the Diocese of Racine and info about canon 603. Could you help me out with a link?

Thanks!
 
Br. Rich SFO:
Just to clarify.
All Secular priests are not diocesan priests. Many Religious priests are also in parishes. Different Orders have different “Rules” which define the Orders function in the Church and the world.

The vow of poverty is a detachment from material things. It does not mean that I as a Franciscan cannot touch money as St. Francis required of his followers at the time he established the Order. Today it means not becoming attached to material things in a way that they would interfere with your relationship with God.

So no it does not mean that if you wear a brown robe you must sleep under the highway overpass or in a shelter. I have however done both many times.
Click to expand...
I ment to say:

Just to clarify.
All Parish priests are not diocesan priests. Many Religious priests are also in parishes. Different Orders have different “Rules” which define the Orders function in the Church and the world.

The vow of poverty is a detachment from material things. It does not mean that I as a Franciscan cannot touch money as St. Francis required of his followers at the time he established the Order. Today it means not becoming attached to material things in a way that they would interfere with your relationship with God.

So no it does not mean that if you wear a brown robe you must sleep under the highway overpass or in a shelter. I have however done both many times
 
Hi JC! You should consider the Secular Franciscan Order or some other secular order such as Benedictine oblates, Lay Carmelites, etc. As lay people we still have individual vocations, and not being called to the public profession of religious vows does not mean that you do not have a “religious” vocation. In fact, most of the Franciscan Sisters active in apostolic works such as teaching and nursing in the United States are “Third Order Congregations”–centuries ago they were secular Franciscans who discerned a charism to vowed life after living in the secular order. The vow of poverty is one of the most debated today even for vowed religious sisters, and a secular order might be a good place for you to pray and share about this. I am a candidate with the SFO who makes lots of money, and I find it very meaningful to talk about poverty and materialism at our SFO meetings. This Sunday’s readings and Gospel will have a lot of meaning for you!
 
Thanks, everyone, for your responses! It helps a lot!

I really do hope to get married, but of course, if that doesn’t happen I do want to find God’s plan for me…just as everyone else seems to be doing around here!

It is nice to know that those who take their vows can still have pets without issue.
 
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jennstall:
I’m having trouble googling the Diocese of Racine and info about canon 603. Could you help me out with a link?

Thanks!
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Sorry. My error – that’s the Diocese of LaCrosse. I went to the site and to the vocations/consecrated life links where I found the “Guidebook on Eremitic Life” – but the link didn’t work. YOu may have to contact them directly. I

If you are looking for a way to live a life of prayer while in the world, you might check the Confraternity of Penitents (www.penitents.org). Their rule is pretty intense.
 
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