Thursday, February 16, 2023
Obedience and dignity
It occurred to me that sphere of authority, just like moral wrong, is a concept which is sometimes crystal clear, sometimes dead confusing. When we are told that it is a federal offense to disobey a flight attendant, it is clear that our obligation is to obey the flight attendant when she gives commands about airplane safety. We are not required to obey if she tells us to stand on our heads, because her sphere of authority does not extend over such a matter. I asked myself, what was my superiors’ sphere of authority over me? What commands could they justly give, and what commands were inappropriate?
Labels: catholic, religion, religious life
Sunday, July 12, 2020
The virus and the sower
This here article is something interesting, about how religious people experience less fear in general, and fear of dying in particular. I think that particular point explains a lot about why our politics have gotten so dysfunctional recently as atheism increases and calls for the nanny state increase. The below was also moving:
"People in a house of worship tend to stare at the beautiful things around them because they are anchored in their pews and can do nothing else. People who rush about can take in many more sights per minute, but that is why their memories of what they see are often confused, and the images cemented in their minds have indistinct lines and shadows. "
I think remembering that beauty and love are at the heart of religion is important. Today's Gospel is also the Parable of the Sower. Let us all be rich soil.
Labels: religion, religious life
Tuesday, June 05, 2012
Why even be a nun?
I imagine that a Republican politician who expressed their support for the cause of international socialism would be given a swift boot out the door and perhaps directions to the nearest Communist party office. And yet some people write things like this
Among a number of problems with Sister Farley’s work, the CDF highlighted her views “that same-sex relationships and activities can be justified,” and that “a marriage commitment is subject to release.” In these and other points, the Vatican observed, her argument directly clashes with the established teaching of the Catholic Church.and get to keep their jobs and their nunships (if I may invent a new word when there is a perfectly good one already). She also tries to defend her positions with some hand-waving which I thought was a particularly bold step. And lest you think this is an isolated incident, scrolling down reveals that this has been going on since at least 1984. And someone is paying for this lack of reasoning. I would at least look at this as evidence that Rome doesn't exercise much control over what goes on in the world. But I do suspect that I will be reading a story soon about how CDF is oppressing people and shutting down debate. Well I wish this debate would stay a little more shut down.
Labels: catholic, morality, religious life
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Not a nun
I first observed the phenomenon of faux-nuns when I was invited by a friend to go to monthly Holy Hours at a convent. I noticed a lot of girls were wearing long skirts and oversized crosses around their necks. They did not wear makeup. I kept confusing them with the postulants. But they were not postulants. They were just dressed almost identically to the nuns.
Ms. Ely provides some insight into a phenomenon that I had not noticed before, but seems to be somewhat prevalent. "What are you retreating from", indeed.
Labels: catholic, religion, religious life
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Nun-fund!
Another nun-to-be looking for help with student loans etc.
I believe Mark Shea put this link on his blog originally? I'm a bit disordered at the moment.
I believe Mark Shea put this link on his blog originally? I'm a bit disordered at the moment.
Labels: charity, religious life
Sunday, September 05, 2010
Happy Feast of Bl. Teresa of Calcutta
As I sit by the phone waiting for a call from the emergency room about my father, I finished reading Come be my Light, the book detailing the private writings of Mother Teresa, as preserved in the thousands of letters and notes she wrote. I have been reading this book for a couple months and it is appropriate I finish it this morning, the feast of Mother Teresa, and the day I am scheduled to enter into a religious community. With my father in the hospital I wonder if I will still be moving today, but all is in God's hands.
This book, and Mother Teresa's Secret Fire written by MC priest, Joseph Langford, have more than any other writings aside the Gospels themselves, influenced my spirituality and been a great source of strength. I encourage everyone who struggles with darkness, or feels called to serve the poor, to take a close look at the life and spirituality of Mother Teresa. Her mission of responding to "I Thirst" and a life of quenching the thirst of Jesus, is really a mission for us all. You would do very well to start with these two books.
Labels: books, liturgical calendar, religious life, saints
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Legionaries cleanup starts
Archbishop Velasio De Paolis, the Pope’s delegate, will have authority over the Legionaries and the affiliated lay group, Regnum Christi “for as long as it takes” to complete necessary reforms, under the terms of the papal appointment.
I hope he can clean up the mess. I still think it would be better to throw it away and start from scratch.
Labels: catholic, religious life
Sunday, May 02, 2010
Legionaries update
5. The Holy Father wishes to assure all Legionaries and members of the Regnum Christi Movement that they will not be left on their own: The Church is firmly resolved to accompany them and help them on the path of purification that awaits them. It will also mean dealing sincerely with all of those who, within and outside the Legion, were victims of sexual abuse and of the power system devised by the founder: They are in the Holy Father’s thoughts and prayers at this time, along with his gratitude to those of them who, even in the midst of great difficulties, had the courage and constancy to demand the truth.
Progress, I suppose.
Labels: catholic, religious life
Saturday, May 01, 2010
Courage of the Sisters
Bishop is punishing the Sisters of St. Joseph for signing a letter lauding the health care reform by denying them access to any diocese or parish resources for promoting vocations. I find this a bit disturbing. Maybe all tax-paying citizens should be banned from Catholic church resources, since our taxes support war, the death penalty, and abortion. That'll teach 'em.
Labels: health care, religious life
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Albany Vocations
The Diocese of Albany has a pretty awesome site for promoting vocations. There are neat clips featuring the Sisters of the Resurrection, and some interesting facts. Can you name which US Olympic speed skater is now a Franciscan Sister of the Renewal? Or the major league baseball player who joined the priesthood?
PS: I'm doing a 5k run for vocations in the Albany Diocese on Saturday. Please support me by pledging prayers for vocations. Just shoot me an email with your pledge. Thanks!
PS: I'm doing a 5k run for vocations in the Albany Diocese on Saturday. Please support me by pledging prayers for vocations. Just shoot me an email with your pledge. Thanks!
Labels: religious life, vocations
Saturday, March 13, 2010
For Singles and Vowed Celibates: Worth a Read
Or a reread... I skimmed this book a year ago, but today went back and closely reread the entire book. At 100 pages, it's a manageable feat for someone as uncommitted to books as I am.
Whether single by choice or by accident this book is an excellent guide to exploring the reasons for being single, and gives practical advice to the challenges of this state. A suggested alternative title for this book, is Chastity with Pizazz, which captures the spirit of Fr. Groeschel's writing which does much to uphold the dignity and potential joys and gifts of this state.
Fr. Groeschel presents the strength of the chaste single state as one stemming from the grace of a life rooted in Christ. A quote from the introduction by Dr. Susan Muto:
When our hearts are singly oriented to these transcendent meanings, we may find that gradually, over a lifetime, God's love begins to suffuse our entire being, to direct our whole life. The goal of this life, as [Fr. Groeschel] so frequently implies, is harmony. It is a style of living centered in Christ, in the Absolute Beauty, who is the source of goodness and the goal of our longing.I think every single person would do well to read this book and reflect upon their journey in chastity. Fr. Groeschel presents chastity as more of a journey than a destination, and rightly so as human nature will attest. Anyone who has embraced chastity, or simple happened to find themselves single for reasons beyond their control, and has not taken the time to examine their state in life, would benefit from a careful examination of their motives and practices in this virtue, rather than to take things for granted.
I also applaud this book for presenting the single-state so positively. I have heard some debate in Catholic circles as to whether or not being single is a vocation. Some people seem to think that everyone is either destined for marriage or consecration. This black-and-white narrow view of the world does not recognize the messy reality in which most humanity lives, where many devout lay people find themselves single for very practical and good reasons. It's true that being single isn't a vocation in and of itself, the way perhaps religious life can be; surely if you are single you have all the more reason to fill your hours with charity, prayer, and hard-work, and therein lies your vocation. But I guess the same argument could be made for a religious. Simply taking vows does not a vocation make - it's how you live them out, and how you love God and your neighbors that will be the true sign of your vocation.
Labels: books, chastity, religious life
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Nuns Dish it Up
A Taste of Heaven: A Guide to Food and Drink Made by Monks and Nuns,” by Madeline Scherb, those tourists may head for the gift shops first, to stock up on the wines, spirits, beers, cheeses, condiments and sweets, often from centuries-old recipes, that are made at many monasteries.I've had some pretty tasty food with religious, but usually in the quest of vocation, not vacation.
Ms. Scherb tells you who makes what at two dozen religious retreats in Europe and the United States, and includes recipes, like an unusual pear clafoutis baked with caramels from Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey near Dubuque, Iowa, and a hearty bacon and potato salad with tripel, a bitter ale, from Westmalle Abbey near Antwerp, Belgium.
Labels: food, religious life
Sunday, August 24, 2008
More than bread
For all those who like to do homework on Sundays:
I think there's a lesson to be learned here.
When the Jewish people finally entered the Land of Israel and settled it, the manna stopped falling. Real bread was now necessary for the existence of the nation and of its individual members. This proved to be and continues to be one of the supreme tests of national and individual Jewish life — how does one retain a sense of spirituality while toiling to acquire bread to live on?
Providing time for the study of Torah, performing mitzvos (religious duties) and granting priority to true Jewish values in our lives helps us answer this difficult question. Sabbath and the holidays also provide us with an escape from pursuing bread alone and allow us to refocus our attention on our Creator-created relationship.
It is not for naught that the rabbis insisted that our speech and even our thoughts on Sabbath and the holidays not deal with the bread of daily toil and struggle. Instead we are to treat the food of Sabbath as though it were of heavenly origin.
I think there's a lesson to be learned here.
Labels: jewish, religious life
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Vatican document declares: them vows are for reals
The Vatican has issued a new document underlining the importance of obedience in religious life. Entitled "The Service of Authority and Obedience," the 50-page document from the Congregation for Religious takes the form of an Instruction.Wow, I guess when you take that vow of obedience you are supposed to mean it!
Obedience, the Vatican document says, should be understood by religious as "a way to help the community or institute to seek and achieve the will of God." The basis for religious obedience, the Instruction notes, is found "in that search for God and for his will which is particular to believers." In offering their obedience, religious imitate "the fundamental experience of Christ Who, out of love, was obedient unto his death on the Cross."
Labels: religious life
