Being a Catholic girl is hard. I'm not complaining since there's beauty in difficulties, I'm just stating the obvious. To be a Catholic girl in today's world is to go against the machine, and live for something way beyond ourselves. Most of the time it's great because we have all of Heaven on our side, cheering us on. Aside from the hassles of finding modest clothes, keeping up a consistent prayer life, randomly wondering if we're called to religious life and so on, I've found that there's one small, extra problem to add to the mix. It seems like all of the best Catholic guys either take off to the seminary, or have their hearts set on the priesthood. Sometimes it's both. What's a Catholic girl to do with this? But here is the catch. Note that I say "seems" and "problem." Now let's debunk these two. Although it seems that way, have no fear my sisters, because even if it seems that the best ones are hiding in seminaries or elsewhere, trust that our loving and generous Lord will provide your Mr. Right in His time, not yours. His timing is perfect; never too early and never too late. In the meantime, if you haven't met your Prince Charming yet, focus on God and He will be the light to your paths. (Ps. 119:105)
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St. Gabriel Possenti,
patron of seminarians,
pray for us. |
The second catch is the word "problem". Is it truly a problem that young (and sometimes older) men are interested in the priesthood? No way! Instead of lamenting or brooding, we should be rejoicing! Easier said than done, trust me, I know. But nevertheless we should be happy that the very best of men bravely decide to pursue the priesthood, because it requires just that; the very best. That's exactly what Holy Mother Church deserves. However this isn't to say that those who are not called to the priesthood are irrelevant or are the worst. Again, no way! While the priesthood isn't for every single man out there, that's okay. Remember Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati from my last post? He showed us that to be holy, you don't necessarily have to be called to religious life. It's common that most men who enter the seminary, don't end up becoming priests. Either way it's a win-win situation. As my friend said (you know who you are), we still gain a better Catholic.
In my own opinion, I think the idea that the Church is gravely short on vocations is a little over dramatic. Just as many of us are not called to religious life, there are also many who are. The Church also needs holy families. Without holy families, we will definitely have an even more serious shortage on religious vocations. Fathers, Brothers and Sisters aren't made overnight, but our future ones are indeed on their way. The more passionate young people become about the Church, the more religious vocations we will have. But like all good things, it will take time and lots of prayer. With that being said, pray for our seminarians. Discerning can be difficult enough by itself, not to forget the spiritual warfare attacks that always come whenever we are working toward something holy or spiritually beneficial. While not all seminarians will eventually hear confessions or baptize adorable babies, it is imperative that you still pray for them in their priestly endeavors. Pray for their perseverance to their state in life, vocational clarity, chastity and docility to the will of God. Most importantly, pray for their courage to faithfully fulfill whatever God is calling them to do.
Holy Mother Church needs good, holy priests who have the desire to save souls. I applaud and give my utmost respect to all men who give this wonderful vocation a solid chance. When discerning the religious life, you have nothing to lose, but all to gain, no matter what the final outcome is.
Until next time.
Mater Dolorosa, ora pro nobis,
-Yvonne Gemma
I LOVE THIS POST!
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