Agree, maybe a couple go into religious orders for 'refuge' and lol, fair enough, but in general it would be a gutsy move motivated by a calling .. Peg, i thought you might enjoy reading some of this long one ..
Why Become a Priest, Sister or Brother Today? By Cathy Bertrand, S.S.N.D.
How did you know you were called to be a sister? Why do you stay in religious life?”
If I had a dollar for every time I’ve been asked these questions, I’d be a wealthy woman! In my years as a vocation minister for my community and then on diocesan and national levels, I have come to realize that there are many ways to interpret these questions. I’ve discovered that the real question for many is, “Why would you do such a thing with your life?”
No doubt about it, fewer Catholics are choosing to be priests, sisters or brothers. Even to consider a celibate vocation in today’s climate raises questions. Those making such a choice are likely to be considered very holy or very crazy--or more than a little desperate for something to do!
“Why do this with your life?” There are many possible and plausible answers, but let’s first focus on some factors behind such a question.
If there’s anything people can agree on these days about priesthood and religious life, it’s that there are fewer priests, brothers and sisters and fewer people coming to houses of formation and seminaries, at least in North America. It’s no secret that we are facing a “vocation crisis”: There are fewer such vocations today. Yet we tend to compare every period in history to the late 50's and early 60's, when great numbers were entering priesthood and religious life. We need to keep in mind that the vocation explosion of that era was an exceptional phenomenon, not at all the usual state of affairs.
Yet it’s not only these vocations that face a crisis today. Married folks haven’t found it easy sailing either, as the growing phenomenon of divorce indicates. For a variety of reasons, the U.S. Catholic population is faced with serious questions about all vocations and about commitments within those vocations.
The Vocation Climate Today
People still choose religious life and priesthood, but the number is declining. Perhaps here in the United States, we need to question the prevailing attitude that “more is better,” no matter what we are talking about. Without question, God’s people deserve competent ministers. But just what course ministry in the Church will take could hold some surprises for us.
That being said, we can pinpoint certain factors that are influencing the number of those considering priesthood and religious life:
1. The cultural trend is way from permanency. Lifetime commitments are often seen today as undesirable and impossible. Given the life expectancy in this country, committing oneself to anything for a lifetime is, for many, unattractive and impossible. People not only make life-style changes, they may have three or more careers in a lifetime.
2. Ministry options are multiplying. Vatican II, in affirming the common call shared in Baptism, deepened our awareness of the dignity of each call--whether it be to the married or single life, priesthood or religious life. The development of lay ministry, though a very positive factor in today’s Church, has a significant impact on those who are considering Church ministry options. Unlike the past, one doesn’t have to be a priest or religious to be involved in Church ministry.
3. Application processes are more extensive today. Religious communities and dioceses take great effort in evaluating prospective candidates. Each person is assessed carefully to see if he or she has the skills and talents to serve as a brother, sister or priest. Desire is not the only consideration, and discernment is a two-way street. Not everyone who indicates an interest in priesthood or religious life may be invited to move in those directions. The underlying question is what will be best for the individual as well as for the people of God who are on the receiving end of someone’s ministry efforts.
4. Church issues add to the challenge. A number of highly sensitive questions make it difficult for some people to consider being a minister in the Church today. For some, the role of women raises questions and concerns not only about the nature of ordained ministry but also about the Church’s credibility as an agent of justice and compassion. For some it is a matter of being unable to promote Church teachings they find difficult to accept. Others name celibacy as a key reason for not considering diocesan priesthood. While these persons might see celibacy as a value, they do not recognize it as essential to diocesan priesthood.
5. The public image of priests and religious is under attack. Negative media coverage, particularly due to sexual abuse lawsuits filed against dioceses and communities, has left many people with a sense of mistrust for Church ministers and the inability to see this life-style choice as a credible, “respectable” option. Some of the public have the impression that no priests or religious live what they claim. Stereotypical images of priests and religious in TV and movie productions often fail to show a realistic, contemporary and adult understanding of these life-styles. They are often presented as silly, childish and irrelevant. Priests and religious doing admirable work often go unnoticed.
6. Family Structures are changing. At times this has a negative impact on how one looks at options for his or her future. Just to name one example, families are generally smaller these days, and parents want grandchildren. As a result, some parents find it hard to encourage their children to consider priesthood and religious life.
7. The social climate is not always supportive. Though the United States struggles to uphold positive values, it is increasingly marked by violence, materialism and individualism. There are few supports for positive values, and we are bombarded with the message that “you can have it all.” Such an environment is not supportive for religious and priestly vocations.
8. The Church is becoming more and more multicultural. As a matter of fact, however, many parish communities--as well as the diocesan priests and religious congregations--remain predominantly Caucasian. Women and men of other ethnic backgrounds often have trouble “finding a home” in these situations. Even where there is goodwill, many dioceses and communities are not sufficiently prepared, from a multicultural standpoint, to invite and sustain candidates.
Why be a brother, sister or priest? .. continued ..
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