What is The Problem With Attracting Vocations Today?

[JimG]

Well I have a few ideas about why the Church isn’t attracting many vocations. I think that the problem could be solved if more young Catholics attended a Catholic school from a very young age. There was a time when every parish had a school, the education was free. Today it is around $8,000 a year. If there was a way to have free education or a very low tuition more Catholics would know their faith. In return vocations would sky rocket.

It’s being done in the Wichita KS diocese. See this report, pages 22ff:
Who Will Save America’s Catholic Schools?

 

[opera]

I think that in this day and age, young people aren’t interested in a life without marriage. I certainly wasn’t, when I was a teenager/young adult.

The problem as I see it–at least with convents/religious orders for women–is that they generally have a cut-off age. I would LOVE to become a Sister, am praying very hard for it, but very few orders will accept women over 40–much less the 55-ish that I’ll be when I’m ready to go.

So they set their sights on giggling young girls, who don’t want to give up marriage/sex/babies/clothes/cell phones/exciting careers, and overlook those of us who’ve gotten all that out of our systems and are mature, settled, and understand exactly what we’re giving up–and still eager to do so.

Miz

Actually in regard to marriage, the number of Catholics marrying for the first time is at an all time low. People are not opting for marriage instead of religious life. They’re opting for no commitments one way or the other. I also agree with the posts that connected the lack of religious and priestly vocations with the breakdown of the family. This is why the large number of people who remain single for so long, even if they are called to marriage, does not bode well for vocations in the next generation. If Catholics are not marrying now and having enough children, where will priests and religious come from 20-30 years from now.

I am sorry that some religious orders are not accepting older women. I would keep trying if I were you. I have heard the Catholic author Rhonda Chervin has been trying to resurrect a religious order of nuns who happen to be widows ( I don’t know if this applies in your situation or not.) In my diocese, I’ve seen priests ordained in their 60’s. Don’t give up. I truly hope you see your vocation come to fulfillment. God bless you for wanting to give yourself to Christ and His Church.

 

[anode]

Actually in regard to marriage, the number of Catholics marrying for the first time is at an all time low. People are not opting for marriage instead of religious life. They’re opting for no commitments one way or the other. I also agree with the posts that connected the lack of religious and priestly vocations with the breakdown of the family. This is why the large number of people who remain single for so long, even if they are called to marriage, does not bode well for vocations in the next generation. If Catholics are not marrying now and having enough children, where will priests and religious come from 20-30 years from now.

I am sorry that some religious orders are not accepting older women. I would keep trying if I were you. I have heard the Catholic author Rhonda Chervin has been trying to resurrect a religious order of nuns who happen to be widows ( I don’t know if this applies in your situation or not.) In my diocese, I’ve seen priests ordained in their 60’s. Don’t give up. I truly hope you see your vocation come to fulfillment. God bless you for wanting to give yourself to Christ and His Church.

Many order that are habit-optional or who wear a modified habit are accepting older vocations. I published a link to 4 recent events in which the women were 40’s and up. One website I came across featured a profession–I think a final–where the sister was 60-70 years old! This is the oldest I have seen. Modified habit. Some individual houses may not accept older candidates, but I have been surprised at others in the same order who will, all fully habited nuns–this includes Poor Clare Collettines; Discalced Carmelites, and habited cloistered Benedictines and Dominican nuns–it’s all individual, of course. If you peruse the IRL sites--religiouslife.com, you will find many who will consider an older vocation.

 

[Highwayhound]

I was never introduced to a religious vocation in my childhood.

This hits the nail on the head

I only knew what a priest was, and I discovered what a lay brother was as well when my former parish hired a religious brother to be in charge of religious formation. Even he did not expound on vocations during Confirmation classes.

If you do not ask you shall not receive. Every year I take time from my “important” lesson plans to invite a sister and a priest into class to discuss vocations with my students. My high school class took a field trip to a convent, too. If my young friends do not have good information how then could I expect them to make good choices?

I ended up leaving the Church on a hiatus for a while because I didn’t understand the faith and I did a lot of “soul searching” to find the the denomination that was right for me. This included a lot of research in other faiths. It turned out that Catholicism was the right one for me,

:extrahappy:

but I didn’t discover religious vocations until I attended a retreat with religious. My mom never talked to me about the possibility of a “vocation” because she didn’t even know what a vocation was (and she was born and raised Catholic as well). I think it has a lot to do with Catechism which is very poor these days, low family rates, and the constant pressure of outside influences saying that you must earn a whole lot of money and have a big family to be truly happy. After discussing my discernment with some family members, I’ve had some even try to talk me out of it! Two of my aunts said they couldn’t picture me as a religious Sister.

Again, if nobody mentions the idea then why would anyone expect young people to consider it to be important.

God bless

 

[JReducation]

Actually vocations among men are on the rise. But they are not to the priesthood. The rate of men entering mendicant and moanstic orders is increasing exponetially. The rate of mendicant and moanstic orders of men being carved out of the older orders is also increasing. In my own Franciscan family we have at least 10 new branches of male Franciscans born since 1985.

• Franciscans of the Renewal
• Franciscans of the Primitive Observance
• Franciscans of the Immaculate
• Franciscan Brothers of Peace
• Franciscan Brothers of Penance
• Franciscan Brothers of Life
• Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word
• Little Brothers of St. Francis
• Brothers of Charity
• Capuchins of the Primitive Observance
• Franciscans of the Holy Family
• Franciscan Brothers of the Eucharist

Of the above, only the Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word are a clerical isntitute. The others are not. They either do not allow priests or keep the numbers of ordinations to a minimum to serve the needs of the community of friars.

The problem that most communities of women face has nothing to do with the ministry, but with obedience. Many people in today’s society view obedience as anachronistic. I believe that part of it is the fact that in the past, obedience in religious communities of women was inhumane. Male religious did not have as many problems with abuse of authority as women religious had. That left a bad taste in people’s mouths. The sisters were often subjected to exercises in authority that was beyond what is prudent or virtuous. Many of them exerted the same kind of authority over those whom they served, especially their students.

In communities of men the operative term was “a loving obedience”. Men were encouraged to love their superiors and their brothers and to obey out of love. Women were encouraged to submit their will.

The external effect is the same. If you love, you submit your will. But the internal attitude is different. Submission requires a denial of self-value. Love is just the opposite. One sees oneself as a gift and offers oneself as such.

The other issue today, is community life. Many people do not have a solid family life. The idea of living in a community where compromises are made, where one is called to love even the most difficult brother or sisters, and where one must place the good of the community over the good of the ministry is a source of conflict to many people. We live an a goal oriented society.

Many men and women are looking to religious life to DO SOMETHING. When you enter a religious community that tells you that what you do is not as important as what you are, this can be daunting. I know that among many candidates who present themselves to the Franciscan family this is a turn off. When we tell these young men, “You come to the Franciscans to be a brother, not to be a priest, not to be a teacher, social worker, nurse, counselor, etc. Alll those things you can be without being a Franciscan.” Many men are turned off. We have had many men who tell us, “I came because I want to be a Franciscan priest.” We tell them, “There is no such a thing. There are Franciscans that are allowed to be priests, but that’s up the community to decide, not up to you. Your bothers and your superior will vote on that as time passes and will decide if you have a call. You may certainly ask for it. But you are not guarranteed that it will happen, even if you are accepted for perpetual vows.” This discourages them.

The issue is that they are looking to do something. Religious communities are looking for men and women who have found an identity as a: Sister of Life, Dominican, Franciscan, Carmelite, Jesuit, Salesian and so forth.

But still, even with all this being said, there are still vocations to the mendicant and monastic life among men. Now we’re seeing many more among women too. I know that in my own family, the Poor Clares have reached 20,000 around the world and the entire Franciscan family (men and women) have reached 1.7 million around the world.

I think that the presence of the founder’s charism has made it easier for us. This may be lacking in some communities. I know some communities who sad to say, rarely talk about their founder and seem detached from him or her. I believe that what makes Franciscans, Missionaries of Charity, Dominicans, and Jesuits so numerous is that we have a romantic relationship with our founders.

You can’t walk into one of our houses without hearing the name: Francis, Mother Teresa, Dominic and Ignatius. Even though they are in heaven now, their sons and daughters constantly refer to them. It’s almost like the WWJD movement. This is “what would [insert name] do?”

As to age, there are communities that do take people who are middle age, if they are healthy. The concern that many communities have is with the length of the formation period. It takes about 10 years from the point of entry to the point of perpetual profession of vows. And it costs a lot of money, not to mention that the years of formation are very rigorous. For that reason, many communities have a cut-off at a lower age. But some communities will take older persons, especially if they have completed their college education. That cuts off several years of training.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Cowfold]

There seems to be an increasing appeal to the more enclosed Orders and Orders such as the Carthusians are going through somewhat of a renaissance following the movie ‘Die Gross Stille’ (Into Great Silence) and books like ‘An Infinity of little Hours’.
However, are the candidates seeking an Ideal? I hope not as they will not find that in a Charterhouse!
I once heard someone in England compare the Carthusians at Parkminster to the SAS of the Catholic Church which made many laugh. TBoth organisations have a 95% rejection rate.

 

[JReducation]

There seems to be an increasing appeal to the more enclosed Orders and Orders such as the Carthusians are going through somewhat of a renaissance following the movie ‘Die Gross Stille’ (Into Great Silence) and books like ‘An Infinity of little Hours’.
However, are the candidates seeking an Ideal? I hope not as they will not find that in a Charterhouse!
I once heard someone in England compare the Carthusians at Parkminster to the SAS of the Catholic Church which made many laugh. TBoth organisations have a 95% rejection rate.

On the contrary, we want them to follow an ideal. That’s the first step toward holiness. No religious house is perfect, if that’s what you mean. But the life of the Carthusians has always been considered the highest call to holiness, because of its total dedication to Christ without any contamination and contact with humanity, except the other hermits.

On another note, what is SAS. I never heard that before.

The Carthusians have a very high rejection rate. They require that you must be able to live totally alone, you must be healthy. You must be able to sing (that leaves me out). You must have a stable personality and be outgoing. You cannot be an introvert and be a Carthusian. You must inclined toward the apostolic life of the Church, without having any interest in what goes on outside of the walls. You must be able to do manual labor; therefore, you must have a skill. You must have at least a Master’s degree, though they prefer a PhD. Usually, you have to be under a certain age; but I’m not sure what the cut-off is.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Cowfold]

On the contrary, we want them to follow an ideal. That’s the first step toward holiness. No religious house is perfect, if that’s what you mean. But the life of the Carthusians has always been considered the highest call to holiness, because of its total dedication to Christ without any contamination and contact with humanity, except the other hermits.

On another note, what is SAS. I never heard that before.

The Carthusians have a very high rejection rate. They require that you must be able to live totally alone, you must be healthy. You must be able to sing (that leaves me out). You must have a stable personality and be outgoing. You cannot be an introvert and be a Carthusian. You must inclined toward the apostolic life of the Church, without having any interest in what goes on outside of the walls. You must be able to do manual labor; therefore, you must have a skill. You must have at least a Master’s degree, though they prefer a PhD. Usually, you have to be under a certain age; but I’m not sure what the cut-off is.
Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

SAS …Special Air Service.

As for the rest of what I have highlighted …you are talking nonsense!
I suspect you have been reading too much about an Order you onviously know nothing about

 

[JReducation]

SAS …Special Air Service.

As for the rest of what I have highlighted …you are talking nonsense!
I suspect you have been reading too much about an Order you onviously know nothing about

Let’s slow down here. There is no reason to be rude. As far as the highlighted portion of the above, all priests are required to have at least an M.Div. Cathusians are a clerical order. They do manual labor, because they do not have an active external apostolate. Those who do not do manual labor engage in scholarship. Now, that being said, one has to remember that every Chaterhouse has its own organization according to its numbers, culture, ages, climate, etc.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Cowfold]

Let’s slow down here. There is no reason to be rude. As far as the highlighted portion of the above, all priests are required to have at least an M.Div. Cathusians are a clerical order. They do manual labor, because they do not have an active external apostolate. Those who do not do manual labor engage in scholarship. Now, that being said, one has to remember that every Chaterhouse has its own organization according to its numbers, culture, ages, climate, etc.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

Nobody is being rude but what you state above is totally misleading about what goes on within a Charterhouse. The manual labour is handled by the Brothers allowing the Fathers to concentrate on prayer. Apart from cutting their own logs and tending their own garden that is just about it.
Further, the organization of all Charterhouses follow the same theme. There have been occasions when various Priors have altered things but that change is quickly addressed at the next visit from external Priors.

 

[JReducation]

Nobody is being rude but what you state above is totally misleading about what goes on within a Charterhouse. The manual labour is handled by the Brothers allowing the Fathers to concentrate on prayer. Apart from cutting their own logs and tending their own garden that is just about it.
Further, the organization of all Charterhouses follow the same theme. There have been occasions when various Priors have altered things but that change is quickly addressed at the next visit from external Priors.

I believe that we’re saying the same thing, but are saying it differently. Yes, there is a core order that every chaterhouse follows. If that’s what you mean, then we agree.

There are some changes in that order when the ages, numbers and other factors beyond the control of the community are present, which is what I think you mean when you say that priors have altered some things on occasions.

What you’re describing as manual labor is the same thing that I’m saying. In other words, they don’t sit around all day being bored. They either do something that is physical or something that is intellectual. That is going to be determined by whether you are a lay brother or a priest.

As to the education, the requirements for ordination are set by canon law. In the USA we call it an M.Div. In other countries it has a different title or none at all, when the education is provided in-house. For example, our friars who are educated in the USA have M.Divs. Our friars educated in Europe do not, because most of them are educated in-house. Few study philosophy and theology at universities, unless they are going to specialize in a specific area of theology or philosophy.

Whether you’re in a religious order or you belong to a diocese, the level of education is the same. When you add it up, it adds up to eight years of post-secondary education, which in most fields is a doctorate and in ecclesial studies (at least in the USA) it is not, because the studies are usually broken down into two separate tracks: philosophy and theology. You complete one track and then begin the other, usually in a different school.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Cowfold]

I believe that we’re saying the same thing, but are saying it differently. Yes, there is a core order that every chaterhouse follows. If that’s what you mean, then we agree.

There are some changes in that order when the ages, numbers and other factors beyond the control of the community are present, which is what I think you mean when you say that priors have altered some things on occasions.

What you’re describing as manual labor is the same thing that I’m saying. In other words, they don’t sit around all day being bored. They either do something that is physical or something that is intellectual. That is going to be determined by whether you are a lay brother or a priest.

As to the education, the requirements for ordination are set by canon law. In the USA we call it an M.Div. In other countries it has a different title or none at all, when the education is provided in-house. For example, our friars who are educated in the USA have M.Divs. Our friars educated in Europe do not, because most of them are educated in-house. Few study philosophy and theology at universities, unless they are going to specialize in a specific area of theology or philosophy.

Whether you’re in a religious order or you belong to a diocese, the level of education is the same. When you add it up, it adds up to eight years of post-secondary education, which in most fields is a doctorate and in ecclesial studies (at least in the USA) it is not, because the studies are usually broken down into two separate tracks: philosophy and theology. You complete one track and then begin the other, usually in a different school.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

Well Brother,

You have described what happens to those aspiring candidates who pursue their vocation through the Charterhouse of the Transfiguration, Vermont but that I can assure you is not typical of the others.

 

[AndyF]

What’s the problem with young people and religious vocations today? Even this thread, which discusses vocations, moves very slowly with fewer views than the other threads.

As I attempt to establish my vocation I have come to the conclusion that what is needed is a north american repository of canonically approved fraternities. This list would be continually monitored for schismatic leanings. In this way one would not be required to search many dioceses and make countless phone calls. The electronic age could be put to good use for this purpose.

Andy

 

[JReducation]

Well Brother,

You have described what happens to those aspiring candidates who pursue their vocation through the Charterhouse of the Transfiguration, Vermont but that I can assure you is not typical of the others.

Our community is on the East Coast. So the Vermont Charterhouse is the onlly one with whom with have had any contact… It’s a wonderful community.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Beautiful]

There are many other much viewed threads similar to yours. Do a search and see what others have had to say.

Recently I was thinking about how differently men and women view life because of recent socio/economic changes.
In the past, men might have viewed religious life as a means of be taken care of similar to the way some men view marriage to a super career woman as a means of economic security. Today men can be married – or not (have responsibility free sex) with the added advantage of additional income and economic security. Why would a man seeking economic security choose to be an over worked religious (and they are especially over worked these days) for the sake of economic security when they can have the same plus sex with a woman. When the balance between safety and security as a religious out weighs the benefits of marriage or living with a woman then maybe a certain percentage of men will turn to religious vocation again. I’m not saying all men become religious for this reason – I believe some do and will especially as the recession deepens.

I am a proponent of people seeking religious or married life for the right reasons.

my :twocents:

 

[JReducation]

As I attempt to establish my vocation I have come to the conclusion that what is needed is a north american repository of canonically approved fraternities. This list would be continually monitored for schismatic leanings. In this way one would not be required to search many dioceses and make countless phone calls. The electronic age could be put to good use for this purpose.

Andy

Such a repository is not possible to keep updated. The is the Kennedy Directory. But the by the time that it goes to print, it’s obsolete, because new communities are formed and old ones are dead. Also, new communities go through various stages of approval before they are Pontifical Institutes. I can give you some very famous examples of communities that are not Pontifical: Franciscan Friars fo the Renewal, Franciscan Brothers of the Eucharist, Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word, Little Brothers of St. Francis, Franciscan Brothrs of Life, Sisters of Life, Doiminican Sisters of Mary, Francisan Brothers of Peace, Sisters of St. Joseph (all of them), and there are many others.

Every community begins as an association. They are private associations of the faithful. As they gather more members, they become public associations of the faithful. They can remain in that status for years or forever. They are still religious. They are diocesan right.

They can grow in numbers and demosntrate stability, financial autonomy and a steady flow of vocations, they can be elevated to communities of Pontifical Right. But they remain congregations. They do not become religious orders.

There are no more religious orders being founded. The last religious order approved was the Friars Minor in 1223 by the Bull of Honorius. The reforms that took place within the Franciscans, Augustinians, Dominicans, Carmelites and Benedictines were within the orders. Their offspring are part of the order.

There are canonical differences between orders and congregations, the biggest is the vows. Solemn vows are more binding that simple vows made by congregations. For example, a solemn vow of chastity trumps the Sacrament of Marraige. The Sacrament of Marraige trumps the simple vow of chastity. A person in solemn vows cannot validly contract marriage. The solemn vows overrides the marriage vows. A person in simple vows who attempts marriage is validly but illegally married and the vow of chastity is anulled automatically.

If you have a solemn vow of poverty, your community cannot own property. If you have a simple vow of poverty, the community can own property, but not the individual.

If you have a solemn vow of obedience, you have no right of appeal If you have a simple vow of obedience, you always have the right of appeal.

If you are in solemn vows you are bound to pray the Liturgy of the Hours under pain of mortal sin. If you are in simple vows, you are not bound under pain of sin. It’s up to your community to decide.

Communities in solemn vows always follow the rule of a founder. Communities in simple vows do not have a rule. They have statutes that are often called rules, but they can be ammended by the community through a democratic vote approved by either the bishop or the Holy See. Rules cannot be ammended or changed by anyone, except an act of the pope himself.

The only rules in the Catholic Church are: Benedictine, Basilian, Augustinian, Carmelite and Franciscan. The Carthusians are in a very special class of their own. They do not follow the Rule of St. Benedict. The Carthusian Rule is not one of the rules that is up for adoption.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[JReducation]

There are many other much viewed threads similar to yours. Do a search and see what others have had to say.

Recently I was thinking about how differently men and women view life because of recent socio/economic changes.
In the past, men might have viewed religious life as a means of be taken care of similar to the way some men view marriage to a super career woman as a means of economic security. Today men can be married – or not (have responsibility free sex) with the added advantage of additional income and economic security. Why would a man seeking economic security choose to be an over worked religious (and they are especially over worked these days) for the sake of economic security when they can have the same plus sex with a woman. When the balance between safety and security as a religious out weighs the benefits of marriage or living with a woman then maybe a certain percentage of men will turn to religious vocation again. I’m not saying all men become religious for this reason – I believe some do and will especially as the recession deepens.

I am a proponent of people seeking religious or married life for the right reasons.

my :twocents:

Religious men do not become religious for security, but to live for Christ alone. We are called into a covenant of love between us and Christ. This covenant is very different from marriage, because there is no spouse and family as a means to grace. In religious life, grace flows through the intimate relationship between the religious and Christ.

It is also interesting to note that the male religious communities that are growing and even giving birth to new branches are the Benedictine and Franciscan families. Both are known for their austeriy. The Franciscan communities are also known for the absence of economic security and other securities. Here are just some examples.

• you can only become a priest if your brothers and the superior believe that Christ is calling you
• if you are a priest, you may exercise your ministry only with permission from your brothers and the superior and you may not have any special office in the community
• you may not own property, inherit money, keep private gifts without permission, have medical insurance, retirement insurance (401K), or disability insurance
• you may not ask your family for help of any kind
• you may not own property as an individual or as a community, all of our houses are either rented from the diocese or on loan and we can be evicted at any time
• our bank accounts cannot be touched by any religious except the procurator
• you have no authority to argue or refuse an order that is not a sin
• you have a habit and not much more (no car, tv, computer of your own)
• in many Franciscan communities of men, you actually beg for your food

The mdedian age in these communities is between 25 and 35 depending on the size of the community.

Men are looking for austerity and detachment. They are not looking for economic security. I am of the opinion that there are other factors that discourage young men from entering religious life.

• the emphasis on the priesthood: many people don’t understand the difference between religious life and priesthood and the need for both
• there is a strong focus today on doing over being: parents often question their children as to why would they want to be beggers rather than run a parish, school, hospital, retrreat house, etc
• we live in a microwave generation: people want things fast. Religious formation of men takes years from the time that you begin to the time of perpetual vows
• autonomy: we have a false sense of autonomy and the value of individuality. Obedience is a major stumbling block for many men (women too)
• lay support: because the laity does not undestand religious life, they don’t do much to promote it in their parishes, families, schools, religious education, youth ministry and so forth

I recently ran into a deacon friend of mine who said, “Oh, I guess being a religiuos is a vocation too.” I could not believe that he has said that. I had to chuckle at that and explain it to him.

Those are just some of my insights. Don’t take them to the bank.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Colgate]

JReducation/

Quick question, you mentioned that the Carthusians are young, able to sing, healthy, outgoing, can do manual labour (and have a skill), have Masters or Ph.Ds, and are yet able to totally cut themselves off from the temptations of the world.

Well, this got me thinking… those guys are really a prime material for priesthood and supporting the Church on a wider scale. I mean, wouldn’t it be a better allocation of human resources if these guys went out and supported the Church in the wider world through their skills?

 

[JReducation]

JReducation/

Quick question, you mentioned that the Carthusians are young, able to sing, healthy, outgoing, can do manual labour (and have a skill), have Masters or Ph.Ds, and are yet able to totally cut themselves off from the temptations of the world.

Well, this got me thinking… those guys are really a prime material for priesthood and supporting the Church on a wider scale. I mean, wouldn’t it be a better allocation of human resources if these guys went out and supported the Church in the wider world through their skills?

They do more for the Church than the average parish priest, religious, bishop, deacon or lay person. The power of the conteplative life is inmeasureable. They are doing for the world the same thing that Mary the mother of God does. They intercede for us and are the Church’s greatest human source of grace upon grace. Theirs is the most noble of all religios vocations.

That’s why there are so few of them in the world. Not many souls have such a rare gift. Imagine your life lived in the constant presence of God, interceding for his people. What a great gift of charity. The religiuos life is a call to the perfection of charity in intimate relationship with Christ. The life of the hermit is as intimate as it can ever get. The greater the intimacy, the greater the charity. The greater the charity, the greater the blessings upon the world. Those called to that life accomplish more for the Church than an army of us could ever do for her.

The mystics understood this mystery. That’s why the Dessert Fathers embraced this life and the Holy Spirit has protected it.

The hermits are physically disconnect from us, but they are connect to the Church through the daily routine of the liturgy. Their life is built around he liturgical life of the Church. No parish priest or active religious can live a live that way. There are too many distractions.

Parish priests can do many things that are necessary. But there is one thing that they cannot do. They cannot be intimately consecrated to Christ to the degree that Carthusians can be. They have don’t have that special call. The hermit lays down his life for the people of God, as Christ did. He intercedes before Jesus Christ, as Mary does.

We who are active religious can only do a small portion of what they can achieve. We combine contemplation with active apostolic work. But our work is very limited. It can only reach so many. Their apostolic work transcends time and space, because they live in the eternal presence of God in the msytery of the liturgy and silence.

You would be amazed at how many bishops ask for monastic and heremetical religious to found houses in their dioceses. History has proven that these men and women have been the means that Christ has used to preserve not only the Church, but human culture.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Colgate]

JReducation/

I see… but I can’t help but feel a pang of regret at not having you guys as our parish priests, or at least as some sort of spiritual support for the laity.

I go to several different churches, so I’ve seen several different priests. I perhaps know or have seen around 8 in recent years. Two of them are brought from Africa. Two others are from the immigrant community (Koreans), serving the ethnic parish community near my house. Only two out of those 8 or so are young. The other six are rather venerable, and one has a failing voice. I don’t need to tell you, this really points towards a severe strain on the priesthood and its failing ability to meet the spiritual needs of the laity, let alone to re-evangelize. Can you blame me for thinking that at this rate, the laity will disintegrate, and the Church will be left without its foundations?

I am pretty sure that somewhere in the Bible, Jesus said something to the effect ‘Christ has no hands on earth but yours’… perhaps this applies to the maintenance of the Church in the earthly world as well.