Question from a young man
Pat, and indeed readers, what advice would give to a genuine young man seeking to enter the seminary. I’m convinced that God is calling me to serve as a priest. Please only give genuine and constructive feedback as this is an honest, well-intentioned question. Please, no flippant or hurtful remarks.
PATS ANSWER
My Dear Young Friend,
I am going to speak from my heart and try and give you genuine and constructive and genuine feedback.
It is 100 % certain that God put you into the world to do something special for him. He puts every man and woman into the world in the same way.
I refer you to what Cardinal Newman wrote:
“God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me, which He has not committed to another. I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons.
He has not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do His work. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it if I do but keep His commandments.
Therefore, I will trust Him, whatever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him. In perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him. If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He does nothing in vain. He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends. He may throw me among strangers. He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future from me. Still, He knows what He is about. “
So, make this meditation your own and use it in prayer when considering your vocation.
You think God is calling you to be a priest.
What is a priest, especially today?
Without being too precious, hopefully , a genuine priest is a man (?) who is possessed by a burning passion to love and serve God and a burning passion to touch all those he comes into contact with the healing touch of Jesus.
His “toolbox” will contain the Scriptures, the Sacraments, prayer, compassion, intelligent common sense, a knowledge and understanding of human nature, a small ego, a non judgemental spirit, and an exceptional courage.
He must be authentic, but not perfect, in every aspect of his life.
He must prefer spirit filled spontaneity to life–destroying legalism and juridicism.
He must be able to be fully in touch with all the aspects and contradictions of his own humanity and integrate them fully into his spirituality in such a way that his parishioners and others will be attracted to use him as an advisor, a guide and a friend of their soul.
BUT
No young man starts out with all those qualities. However, he must have the potential to evolve into such a man. He must be made of that ‘clay’ that the “Potter” can use to that end.
AND
So far, we have been speaking of the IDEAL.
THE REALITY
My Young Friend,
The Church in which you want to be a priest lies in ruins 😞
It is the byword for the sexual abuse and the rape of children, women, and men.
It is the byword for the coverup of every heinous crime you can think of.
Is is far worse than the mafia, the triads and the Russian mobs all joined together.
Instead of being the Bride of Christ, it is Satan’s Chief Harlot.
And you are faced with bringing your unsullied innocence and idealism into this dark arena 😞
When you enter, if you are physically attractive, you will be the immediate target of those who will want to ravage and deflower you absolutely.
They will not only ravage your young body. They will want to ravage your very soul.
And, how can you be expected to cope with such an anhialation?
You need to reflect very deeply on all these things.
My child, if you aspire to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for an ordeal” (Sirach 2:1)
I think I have said all I can, for now.
I cannot tell you what to do. That would be wrong and presumptuous of me.
But, I am here to listen and help if you need ne.
BISHOP PAT BUCKLEY 