(just so the reader knows, I have broken up with my Episcopal girlfriend, and am now determined to either marry a Catholic girl who wants lots of babies / is faithful to Church teaching, or to enter religious life, or to be a single laymen in some sort of secular vocation).
After my whole reversion to Anglicanism and then return to Rome, and my time with the Toronto Jesuits, I think I am not called to be a priest. In any case, I am an exceptionally sinful human being, and don't really have a great holiness or personal witness. But deep within me there is this great desire and thirst for such a life. I saw this video today:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEn3ngvXZhg&feature=related
I thought: man I wish I could live like that. There truly is no nobler life.
I guess my question is:
Is it possible to have a deep spiritual desire for a vocation like that, and have it not be your vocation?
Should I rather just pray for those religious orders, and people discerning and within them, rather than always wonder if I should be in them?
I remember the story of St. Therese of Lisieux's parents both wanting to enter religious life, and their priest told them rather that they were to have children, all of whom entered religious life and one of whom is a saint and doctor of the church. Perhaps the longing I feel is the same longing all Catholics feel for an opportunity to give everything for their faith.
I've also considered lay religious organizations, like the tertiary Franciscans / Secular Franciscan Order, that is composed of married and celibate, lay and clerical people living in the spirit of St. Francis.
Anyway, I'm going to Confession and Mass now.
Showing posts with label St. Therese of Lisieux. Show all posts
Showing posts with label St. Therese of Lisieux. Show all posts
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
A Prayer for Today
May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow you soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise, and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.
-St. Therese of Lisieux
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow you soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise, and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.
-St. Therese of Lisieux
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
St. Therese on Justification
"When comes the evening of life, I shall stand before Thee with empty hands,
because I do not ask Thee, My God, to take account of my works. All our works of
justice are blemished in Thine Eyes. I wish therefore to be robed with Thine own Justice, and to receive from Thy Love the everlasting gift of Thyself. I desire no other Throne, no other Crown but Thee, O my Beloved?" - St. Therese of Lisieux
Remember that Justice means Righteousness in Catholicism. So this makes the 2nd Doctor of the Church that has taught something akin to the imputed righteousness of Christ. Kind of odd as I thought that was anathema'd at Trent, but I'm sure there's a way around that.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux too emphasizes justification by Christ's righteousness not our own, but he does not use the robing/cloaking image here utilized by St. Therese. I know Fr. Richard John Neuhaus, and Cardinal Pole, and some other famous Augustinians shared these views. If there was a way to hold them, and still remain Catholic it would be very comforting. It would be nice if we could even read the doctors of the church without reaching what would later be defined as heretical.
Lord have mercy...
If anyone knows our way of getting round these quotes, please let me know. I sure would like Christ's righteousness, but if Peter has declared against it, then I have to submit.
because I do not ask Thee, My God, to take account of my works. All our works of
justice are blemished in Thine Eyes. I wish therefore to be robed with Thine own Justice, and to receive from Thy Love the everlasting gift of Thyself. I desire no other Throne, no other Crown but Thee, O my Beloved?" - St. Therese of Lisieux
Remember that Justice means Righteousness in Catholicism. So this makes the 2nd Doctor of the Church that has taught something akin to the imputed righteousness of Christ. Kind of odd as I thought that was anathema'd at Trent, but I'm sure there's a way around that.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux too emphasizes justification by Christ's righteousness not our own, but he does not use the robing/cloaking image here utilized by St. Therese. I know Fr. Richard John Neuhaus, and Cardinal Pole, and some other famous Augustinians shared these views. If there was a way to hold them, and still remain Catholic it would be very comforting. It would be nice if we could even read the doctors of the church without reaching what would later be defined as heretical.
Lord have mercy...
If anyone knows our way of getting round these quotes, please let me know. I sure would like Christ's righteousness, but if Peter has declared against it, then I have to submit.
Monday, May 3, 2010
St. Therese of Lisieux
"Our Lord needs from us neither great deeds nor profound thoughts. Neither intelligence nor talents. He cherishes simplicity." - St. Therese of Lisieux
I read a short biography of St. Therese tonight and was absolutely amazed. I mean absolutely amazed. I can't even fathom ever having such a holy attitude... Before she died she said: "I have reached the point of not being able to suffer any more, because all suffering is sweet to me."
Interestingly enough I could relate most to her parents. Her father wanted to be a priest and her mother wanted to be a nun, but they both decided they didn't have call and eventually had 9 children and wanted them to enter consecrated life. I was thinking about her parents and realized, if they hadn't been married, St. Therese would never have been born, and people like Mother Theresa wouldn't have had that inspiration from her story. Married people aren't generally saints, but it's good to remember that they're the ones who raise the saints.
Anyway, very great Saint.
Therese of Lisieux pray for me, that I might find some portion of the love you had for Jesus, by his grace. Amen.
I read a short biography of St. Therese tonight and was absolutely amazed. I mean absolutely amazed. I can't even fathom ever having such a holy attitude... Before she died she said: "I have reached the point of not being able to suffer any more, because all suffering is sweet to me."
Interestingly enough I could relate most to her parents. Her father wanted to be a priest and her mother wanted to be a nun, but they both decided they didn't have call and eventually had 9 children and wanted them to enter consecrated life. I was thinking about her parents and realized, if they hadn't been married, St. Therese would never have been born, and people like Mother Theresa wouldn't have had that inspiration from her story. Married people aren't generally saints, but it's good to remember that they're the ones who raise the saints.
Anyway, very great Saint.
Therese of Lisieux pray for me, that I might find some portion of the love you had for Jesus, by his grace. Amen.
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