Do people still see value in the lives on monks and nuns?

Question

I am in the process of studying to become a Catholic Priest. More than that, I have joined a Religious Order in the Catholic Church and have made my vows to keep a simple lifestyle, chastity, and all that comes with this life. Yes, I wont get married and I will live a life of a missionary - working for the church and God's people, etc.

To most people, my decision to become a monk - as it were - is seen to be an absurd and crazy one, especially taking into account the world in which we live - a world losing religious value and taken into consumerism and globalisation and whatever comes with these secular movements. Priests - especially Catholic Priests - seem to be losing their credibility and worth (at least according to people out there). Is this true? Have I joined an useless and "dying breed" of people?

I am curious to find out your opinion.

Answer 1

I admire your decision. You are following in the footsteps of the first apostles. You will be a fisher of men--what more is there to life than that?

You will be living a life of service to God--a life of service to the Lord by first of all being of service to others. I can't think of a better way to live a life---a life that was a gift to you from the Lord.

You haven't joined a 'dying breed' of people. You've joined a breed of people whose numbers are dwindling even as the work they do is of more importance than ever before.

Man, I'm proud of you. You'll be in my prayers. Keep my email address---email me. I'd love to be a source of encouragement to you if I could!

God Bless!

Answer 2

Not at all. To make the vows and live in close communion with God is a very beautiful lifestyle. Not a dying breed just one that has been under duress. Think about typical Western culture where does God fit in? Spirituality? To live as a priest or monk both (?) is a calling as much as I have one to be a nurse. I feel I was made for it. If you truly feel the call take the vows if not lay ministry is a choice. It's self sacrificing and caring for others. In that role spirituality in a time a lose of value, consumerism, globalisation caring for souls or praying for them is very important. We need many brother's and sister's like you. Also at the time I entered nursing 10 years ago, there were lay-offs, hard to get jobs, not the best field to get into look what it is now and that's just caring for one aspect of a soul. The need is there churches don't have priests how will there be hope for the laity to learn the faith especially the children ? (other than divine intervention of course) If there is need it is not useless. How many times in one day do prayers go out for vocations across the world? Not obsolete in demand :l) Also the world needs as much prayer as it can get.

Answer 3

The decision to become a priest is yours and yours alone. I can only give you opinions that come from my experiences.On the pro side you will live a very protected isolated life with no money worries for the rest of your life. You will counsel and help catholics with their fears, sins, and problems.You may increase your faith and live a set routine that doesn't require much thought or decision making. On the con side, the sexual pedophile cases revealed were not isolated incidences. There are literally thousands of victims which led some experts to believe that the priesthood is a real haven for pedophiles I live in a predominately Catholic community and see no evidence of the church engaging in helping the poor. The churches are ornate, and require a lot of money to maintain. As a non religious person, I have been able to help more disadvantaged people on my own.You may feel there is room for change in the Catholic church even for the better. This will not be embraced. It is an organization that has one of the most rigid bureaucracies in the world. Be true to yourself. and love others in any decision you make. .

Answer 4

If it weren't for monks and nuns, the earth would probably fall out of orbit. It's a tough life, but somebody's got to live it. Do you kind of feel like the chosen one?

As for losing their credibility and worth, it looks that way. Alot of monasteries have closed and become museums. There was a trappist monastery near where I grew up that for the time I was there in kindergarten, the bells of the monastery rang every morning. When we moved and then returned when I was in grade 11, they were gone. It was getting too noisy for them. (at least, that's what they communicated.) They moved to another location, but I think that they were fewer in number. (That's got to be a strict life!)

Having lots of stuff clutters your life anyway. The more you have, the more you are distracted by taking care of "stuff". I think that you made a good choice. Pray for me.

EDIT: I don't really know about the things that went on in South America according to the poster above me, but I have heard, also, of miracles of the Eucharist as well.

A priest in Central America was celebrating the Eucharist outside and the people, during mass, brought a very sick boy and placed him at the foot of the altar. When the mass was done, the observing priest said to the celebrating priest: "Where is the boy?" because he was no longer by the altar. (he was so ill he had to be carried, he could not move.)

The celebrating priest pointed to a group of children playing together, not far off. "Over there," he said.

The other priest was astonished to see him running around and laughing.

"Why are you surprised?" he smiled. "Isn't that what it's about?"

Answer 5

Please you are entitled to your own opinion. if you want to be a monk just be one, that is your freewill.
The seminars in Europe and South America are empty as you must be aware. If you take the case of Argentina a country catholic in agreement to Art 3 of the Constitution, today the Catholic church is unable to put more than 10% of the population as catholic practicing. Why did this happen? Quite simple the Catholic Church was the instrument of the military forces to kidnap, disappeared and murder 30000 citizens, it is well documented on the CONAREPA final report.
The famous secret of confession became a phone to military dictators. Of course don't forget the raping of altar boys, and orphans, or the massacres of the Company of Jesus against the Guarani Indians, after that tell me with your heart on hand. What is so holly about the holly Church.
As a final detail don't forget Banco Ambrosiano and Loggia P2 as a remainder of how good people are the holy fathers.

Answer 6

If i advance into ever thoroughly confident that being a Buddhist Monk might have me critically greater effective than i'm now, and had any theory how i ought to advance into such, yeah, i might actual attempt it out. I even have loads of admire for Buddhist clergymen and whatnot, and that i do no longer think of it would be a foul way of existence by potential of any potential. there are particular practices that i does not trust or take part in, yet I think of that those are not time-honored and are lots greater in all probability to be radical habit (like self-immolation). And as for a nun...i've got faith that's for women folk people isn't it? i do no longer understand if that would shop on with to me too lots...i will inform you good now however i does not opt to be a nun, or a minimum of a typical Catholic nun.

Answer 7

To the devout, you will be welcomed (as on credit) for what you are (title). But it will be up to you to build a lifelong good reputation. As with anyone else you can ruin your reputation or make it a record of great pride amongst your peers and parishioners. Regardless of the path you choose, it is your decisions made one by one that will make you or break you. To ignore any and all naysayers must be your first decision. If you can't get past that and move on with confidence and without second guessing yourself, then stay away until you can. Any halfhearted, indecisive, or uncommitted part of you must be dealt with foremost. I cannot stress this enough! Because it will be your commitment alone you have to stand on when it all hits the fan in your life, and it will, it always does for everyone. What are you made of? Why (truly why) do you want this, What are your goals and intentions? Is this a way for you to get respect (better not be)? Is this a commitment so strong and ultimate you have no choice to escape? If it matters to you already about what people think, you'd better repent a great and bitter repentance. Good luck and Gods speed.

Answer 8

Dude, I have been around the world many times. I have had more awesome jobs than you can shake a stick at. I am married to a wonderful wife and have two beautiful well behaved babies. I have time, money, health, good family, a red convertible, and a big big house. But you know, all that is so incomprehensibly worthless in comparison to Jesus Christ. Don't go to a church. No need to talk to a priest. Tell the Mormons to stop ringing your doorbell. Dude, just pray like you are talking to a friend. It helped me. And I am 100% convinced He can help you to be a great priest. Believe, my friend. Believe. The Lord is with you; are with Him? I think you are!!- The Sandy Beach Bum

Answer 9

I don't think you've joined a useless and dying breed, at all. You're to be commended for your dedication to the Church, its people, and those it seeks to help. Like any organization of imperfect humans, the earthly Church has its struggles and its difficulties. Secularization and apathy are very powerful obstacles the Church must overcome if it wants to remain relevant. (I'm not sure why you thing globalization is a bad thing - we are a global Church, after all.)

If the Church and its avowed religious wants to retain "credibility and worth," they need to stop keeping score of how many people they've converted and start keeping score of how many people they've treated with the same compassion, generosity, and respect that Christ showed to the suffering and downtrodden in His path. Just my two cents. Here's hoping for a really high score.

Answer 10

You are to be commended for trying to think this answer through; but please, do not let us decide this issue one way or another for you. What we think is not as important as what God thinks.

As a Christian, I feel that each person has a specific ministry in life. Are you seeking God's permissive will or His perfect will in your decision? I'd recommend seriously sitting down and praying about this issue and reading the scriptures for yourself and if you have peace about this decision after praying about this, then it is God's perfect will for your life.

But think about this: can you achieve those same goals through another way. For instance, you are making a decision to give up certain things such as material items or having a family of your own. Do you feel that this is God's will for your life? Also, do you feel that you can live with this decision a few years from now?

I hope that you will be able to find the peace that passes all understanding on this issue. Blessings to you!