As a celibate, it could get tough sometimes especially in this world’s climate. So often also, people think it’s love when it really is only attraction…which can be somewhat consuming and confusing. But I guess though I pray for priests, I don’t seem to have much of a response for you regarding the simple fact of the sexual urge. Could it be said that as an isolated fact of nature it doesn’t represent so much that way for many females? We need to be more invested in the other person? Perhaps some would disagree. That’s probably why I can only answer from a viewpoint of human companionship, as below, because it’s the framework in which I’d have your question… whereas it isn’t necessarily so for more males than females?
“We live in the flesh, of course, but the muscles that we fight with are not of the flesh.” [2 Corinthians 10:3] “Stand firm against the devil, and he will run away from you.” [James 4:7] “There are eunuchs who have made themselves that way for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let anyone accept this that can.” [Matthew 19:12]
Religious life and companionship
Jesus, encourage those You call to serve as Priests and Religious the grace to consider their intention honestly. Some Priests and Religious suffer temptation to abandon their vocations. Some lose faith in God and Church. Some regret loss of personal freedom. Some are troubled by lack of close companionship.
A lifelong sacrifice of parenthood and marital companionship requires careful reflection, remembering that compassion for Adam’s loneliness led the Spirit to breathe life into Eve. This ensured mutual companionship and means to ensure propagation of humankind. Therefore, Jesus, we pray for Your Priests and Religious who are lonely or over-extended. Help them to find loyal friendship amongst their colleagues, and appropriate support and hospitality from their communities and congregations. Let them find sufficient satisfaction in their vocations as they continue towards holiness in service of Your people.
Jesus, You were never less human than we are. In the grace and love that filled You, the prayer that nurtured You, and the penance that gave You strength against the temptations of nature, You remained the more sensitively human. You stood alone before us, sinless, and celibate in holy witness to the state to which You invite Your chosen ones.
Called to carry the cross of atonement for all human sin, You renounced self, submitting to God’s Will, obedient to the Holy Spirit in everything. You served gladly and humbly, without seeking to be served, giving Your life as ransom for all who accept Your salvation. To this sacrifice, You quietly invite those whom You call.
You invite them to set aside their right to exclusive marital companionship, so that they give unencumbered support to their sisters and brothers in Christ. Acceptance of such commitment may entail occasions of loneliness, yet isolation and struggle characterises many marriages, for each state has its blessings and its crosses.
Should anyone fail to carry their vocational cross, please bless and restore them and anyone injured by them. Let Your Priests and Religious always solicit Your strength where human frailty undermines their commitment. Give them trust that You will never abandon them to their weaknesses and failures.
You continue to offer faith, obedience, charity, perseverance, prayer and penance. If they sometimes fail to accept these, then You continue tenderly to hold out the restoring graces of rational balance and of Your compassionate forgiveness.
Grant wisdom in fraternity so that Your priests remain in Your service to truly love everyone with undivided heart. Give them compassion that leads to spiritual insight and human wholeness in accord with Your creative and redemptive purpose. Blessed is our God, who so loves His creatures! Worship Yourself in them and serve others in them!
Guarding against fornication
Our God, perhaps some time during his or her life someone may be particularly attracted to another person. You reveal Yourself to us in others, to share some priceless blessing of Your love and goodness with us. Our perception prefigures the spiritual ‘inloveness’ of angelic communion that will reverberate between all persons in Heaven as gift of spiritual brotherhood intended to serve You in us.
Our God, let no one be confused or led astray by inappropriate attractions. Feelings are natural human responses. They will sometimes fade if commonsense prevails. Sin and foolishness only enter if feelings are acted upon; therefore, guard Your ministers and Your people with commonsense and mutual charity.
