Where are the good men?

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I remember being in the novitiate so many moons ago. There was a discussion amongst us and the Bishop. They were talking about sacrifice. I was a perplexed by that. Why do we continually say that to be a priest/brother/nun, we sacrifice our lives to God solely and give up marriage?

And this is the typical thought: to sacrifice ourself from the marital blessings for a life given to God. I beg to differ on this. Do people who get married sacrifice being a priest/nun/brother? Has anybody heard this? Marriage, as we well know, is not easy by far. It is much more difficult than being a nun. Through the years of ups and downs, children and grandchildren, etc, much sacrifice is needed to unselfishly think of your spouse, children where, in many instances, you just wish you had your own space. ( for whatever reason).

Having experienced the best of both worlds, I would say that there would hardly be a thought ot sacrifice if you truly live your vocation. And, being that this is only my opinion, it is much more difficult being married than the other way around. Although I certainly felt fulfilled in the convent and my joy was complete, I have also experienced this in marriage. But, there is a small place in my heart where the regret I feel about the loss of a vocation is still very much present. Nothing can ever take this away. Although I have done much more for the Lord in my married life (things I couldn’t even fanthom as a nun), so many ministries that could not even be surmised as a nun.,

To make my point clearer, a vocation is not about giving up something. If the vocation was meant for you, you do not even think of ‘what could be’…

Ah! to be so blessed…

Blessings,
Shoshana
 
I didn’t vote because I didn’t see my answer.

My answer is that the Church is not being taken seriously enough because there is dissent about the truth of Church teachings especially on contraception and failure to follow some Church teachings by the laity. There are also many Catholics who do not vote pro-life and the Catholic presidential is pro-abortion. This can prevent people from taking the Church too seriously.

I think cleibacy is good but the Church should also allow some additional married priests. I don’t think celibacy prevents the priesthood from growing, but I do think some married priests could also be excellent and “orthodox” priests.
 
I think the good young men are out there and aren’t answering the Call for one reason or another…
In our society today, very few families are fostering an atmosphere that would nurture a Calling to begin with…
I have two sons, one married with children and one single and really not interested since he doesn’t feel called to a celibate life. I, on the other hand feel that he would make an excellent priest…but who am I? I’m just a religious fanatic mother who tried to do God’s will and raised them steeped in the Faith… altar boys till they were 16 and when people started thinking that they were the ‘new deacons’ filling in for the summer, well… they very quickly decided that they were too old to be serving.
It was also considered that one might be ‘gay’ if they pursued a vocation where we live…That’s a whole other story…:rolleyes:

I don’t have any other answers except that we all must begin to pray very hard for vocations and hope that attitudes will change or we are going to be in big trouble!:mad:
 
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asquared:
Where have all the flowers gone? The good men have disappeared because society, including Catholic families and parishes, place no value on goodness and do not raise good young men. We do not value chastity, manliness, self-reliance, taking responsibility for actions, virtue, strength of character, self-discipline, self-control, selflessness–all the characteristics that make good husbands and good priests. Celibacy is not the issue. Virtue is the issue. Manhood is the issue. This is a society of overgrown adolescents, “men behaving badly” is the norm and the group that is catered to. Catholic families play along with the culture, endorsing premarital sex of all varieties and the parishes play along, granting huge church weddings to couples that have been living together for years (and contracepting). Catholic men desert their families and divorce their wives at the same rate as others in this society, and for the same reasons–they are not real men, they are driven by impulse and self-gratification (like any 4-year-old). We will get good priests and good Catholic husbands and fathers when we start raising good men. You want to start? Try discipline.
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Amen and AMEN!
 
Ryan Vincent:
I’ll throw in my views from my expiriences.

A big thing holding young men back is the issue of how parents will react. I think we underestimate how many parents do not want to see their sons become priests. Whether its because they want grandchildren or they don’t think their sons would be happy in the priesthood, alot of parents will do what they can to dissuade a vocation. The last thing someone discerning needs is the idea of their parents disowning them if they enter the seminary. Now how widespread this is, I don’t know, but in my expiriences not too many parents want to hear their sons say they want them to become a priest.

There are alot of other factors, some bigger than others, but I thought I’d trhow this one out because I haven’t seen it mentioned around here much.
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That’s a great reason. I myself told my parents 2 years ago that I was thinking about the priesthood. I love the Church so much. Now while I am attracted to the opposite sex I feel that I may not be meant for marriage or a typical family. When I told my mother I had talked to the director of the seminary at Loyola she didn’t seem to thrilled. I really wanted to study business but Fr. told me I could not. I asked if I could double major and he said no. My mom’s response was just stick with business.

While my parents aren’t against me having a priestly voacation, they definitely don’t encourage it. I’ve been asked by several priests during confession if I have ever thought of the priesthood. My answer was yes, but I am still uncertain. I’ve told these priests that I really want to help people, and that I would extremely enjoy be teaching a packed church about the truth and helping them practice Catholic faith. Almost every time I go to confession the priests tell me to thank God for having such open and wonderful confessions. Just today my confessor told me how he was encouraged by my enthusiasm for my faith. That’s why I came to Notre Dame. I’m here to study Accounting,(pretty plain, yet interesting material) and pray and find out what is meant for me.
 
Ryan Vincent:
I’ll throw in my views from my expiriences.

A big thing holding young men back is the issue of how parents will react. I think we underestimate how many parents do not want to see their sons become priests. Whether its because they want grandchildren or they don’t think their sons would be happy in the priesthood, alot of parents will do what they can to dissuade a vocation. The last thing someone discerning needs is the idea of their parents disowning them if they enter the seminary. Now how widespread this is, I don’t know, but in my expiriences not too many parents want to hear their sons say they want them to become a priest.
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Sadly, this is true.

I’m an only child, and when first I told my parents I was discerning it was a mixed blessing. On one hand, they were very supportive while on the other hand, my mum wasted no time in communicating her dissapointment at not having grandkids…

We’ve come a long way since then though, and a lot of has to do with me being an obedient son and listening to my folks’ (very good) advice. Others I know have experienced more difficulty with their parents - primarily their mums for some reason.
 
I think the problem is that the Church in general no longer believes that anyone goes to hell. If one believes that Jesus is just going to forgive everyone into heaven, no matter what they do, why give up having a wife to preach (only selections of) Jesus’ Word? Those who would believe that preaching Jesus’ words makes an eternal life or death difference on peoples souls, are far more likely to make sacrifices on earth to bring people to Christ and His teachings for salvation.

When was the last time you heard a priest preach Christ’s warnings on eternal punishment? I am doubtful that any man willing to repeat Christ’s warnings of eternal damnation at the pulpit, would be allowed into the priesthood in our modern age. I cannot even remember Pope John Paul II ever echoing Christ’s warnings that people will be thrown "into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels" lest they repent and care for the poor.

WARNING! Jesus Does Not Forgive All

NAB MAT 25:41
Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

Peace in Christ,
Steven Merten
www.ILOVEYOUGOD.com
 
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