One very great difference between my “growing old” ways and the new ways of our present day youth, is my continual puzzlement at their obsession with "discernment”.
Here's a good discussion on the matter on Reddit (yes, really). See the comments by someone called "Dirty-Harambe" (yes, really). What most Catholics think of as 'discernment' is a modern invention, and people should really chill out. Sorry to say that certain saints' writings, and the dodgy nominalist ideas that informed them, have caused quite a bit of confusion and scrupulosity here.
Beautiful and wise, as always, Denise. I'd add to this that conservative Catholics need to stop denigrating those who are single, for whatever reason. I think there are too many young men and women who rush into marriage because of this, thinking that marriage will solve their problems, and magically make their lives better. A smaller number probably choose the religious life when they have no actual calling for it and are temperamentally unsuited to it, because of pressure.
Yes, of course, some single people don't want to commit to marriage because they are selfish, but selfishness is a human vice and marriage doesn't magically make it go away, there are plenty of selfish husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, priests, nuns, monks. Many older single adults never found the right person for whatever reason or they ended up spending their lives caring for aging parents or others, and yet, they live their lives (often lonely ones) without complaint, giving their time and energy in all sorts of ways to their families, friends, the church, and the world with little thanks and appreciation for all they do.
Thank you, again, Denise, for sharing your thoughts. My dh and I were surprised, and very happy when our son told us he was accepted at the seminary. He didn’t tell us he applied in case he didnt get accepted. He was always a good and generous kid; I just don’t remember him ever saying he wanted to be a priest. He related that he always admired the parish priests we invited to dinner, they always sat at the head of the table 😉. He’ll be starting his 5th year and is so happy.
“Just some thoughts…” indeed! Some wonderful thoughts!
Here's a good discussion on the matter on Reddit (yes, really). See the comments by someone called "Dirty-Harambe" (yes, really). What most Catholics think of as 'discernment' is a modern invention, and people should really chill out. Sorry to say that certain saints' writings, and the dodgy nominalist ideas that informed them, have caused quite a bit of confusion and scrupulosity here.
Link to discussion: https://tinyurl.com/bdd2yz9k
Beautifully said! I’m sure your words will inspire those who are “discerning” to look at ALL the possibilities!
Beautiful and wise, as always, Denise. I'd add to this that conservative Catholics need to stop denigrating those who are single, for whatever reason. I think there are too many young men and women who rush into marriage because of this, thinking that marriage will solve their problems, and magically make their lives better. A smaller number probably choose the religious life when they have no actual calling for it and are temperamentally unsuited to it, because of pressure.
Yes, of course, some single people don't want to commit to marriage because they are selfish, but selfishness is a human vice and marriage doesn't magically make it go away, there are plenty of selfish husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, priests, nuns, monks. Many older single adults never found the right person for whatever reason or they ended up spending their lives caring for aging parents or others, and yet, they live their lives (often lonely ones) without complaint, giving their time and energy in all sorts of ways to their families, friends, the church, and the world with little thanks and appreciation for all they do.
Thank you, again, Denise, for sharing your thoughts. My dh and I were surprised, and very happy when our son told us he was accepted at the seminary. He didn’t tell us he applied in case he didnt get accepted. He was always a good and generous kid; I just don’t remember him ever saying he wanted to be a priest. He related that he always admired the parish priests we invited to dinner, they always sat at the head of the table 😉. He’ll be starting his 5th year and is so happy.