With the beginning of the " Year for Priests" underway, I think that it is appropriate to place a post with a prayer for Priests asking for God's continued blessing upon them!
Prayer for Priests
O Jesus, I pray for Your faithful and fervent priests; for Your unfaithful and tepid priests; for Your priests laboring at home or abroad in distant mission fields; for Your tempted priests; for Your lonely and desolate priests; for Your young priests; for Your dying priests; for the souls of Your priests in purgatory.
But above all I recommend to You the priests dearest to me; the priest who baptized me; the priests who absolved me from my sins; the priests at whose masses I assisted and who gave me Your Body and Blood in Holy Communion; the priests who taught and instructed me; all the priests to whom I am indebted in any other way. O Jesus, keep them close to Your heart, and bless them abundantly in time and in eternity.
Amen
Beautiful prayer John, one of my favorites!
ReplyDeleteHey John. You are quite the talented writer, and I will definately keep you (and all the guys who went to camp with you) in my prayers for your discernment process. Awesome job on the blog, keep it up! It is inspiring to see such passion.
ReplyDeletehave you ever considered the possibility that the particular deity you believe in, does not exist?
ReplyDeleteThat, maybe, god isn't real, or at least your version of him/her/it isn't?
I say this because I speak from experience. I know several former seminarians and priests (friends or acquaintances) who were also very fervent and religious like you when they where younger.
They made rash judgments to enter the seminary and most left within a few years, but two went on to become priests.
One of those priests left 9 years into his ministry, the other after 14 years.
Both are now married with children.
They figured out that the priesthood wasn't for them and most lamented over wasted time because they hadn't really carefully considered what it really means to devote your life to something, when you really haven't had a chance to explore what life is about.
John, you accept the faith of your parents, why? Is it because you have fond memories of great family times with your family's faith being incorporated? Or is it because the faith imparted to you by your parents has brought you comfort, consolation and warmth in times of trouble/confusion?
Millions of kids are taught everyday to believe in the faith of their parents of many different religions/philosophic outlooks.
Are you really sure yours is the correct one? Do you have actual reasons for that? Could you be mistaken?
I'm just saying that it may not a good idea to take everything you've gotten from your parents (taught and faith wise) for face value, without questioning.
I'm not saying your parents are liers, or their trying to deceive you, because I'm sure they have your best interest at heart. But maybe they haven't explored the possible fallacy of their own faith and now take it for unquestionable truth.
Maybe you should explore other ways of thinking, different philosophies, religions and life perspectives.
You might be surprises. Life is extremely diverse and people find meaning in many different ways/paths.
Truth is important and I think your seeking it. Therefore you should consider living your life in honesty as well as fidelity to reality and truth no matter where that may lead you.
Because ultimately, if you search with an honest heart and an inquisitive mind, you'll find whats true in life and what are lies.
Remember, a bit of skepticism and reasoned thinking can only make your life experience better.
I'll end with saying that your young, and your whole life is in front you. I hope you don't make a decision you might regret one year, two, three, four, or even ten years down the road.
Just think it over and reflect.
best of luck to you mate. cheers.
Johanlibetr56,
ReplyDelete"Truth is important and I think your seeking it. Therefore you should consider living your life in honesty as well as fidelity to reality and truth no matter where that may lead you."
As a devout Catholic myself, I couldn't agree more. What makes you think that the blogger here doesn't think so? Do you think that is it impossible for someone to adhere to this maxim and be a faithful Catholic?
I only ask because your post, while certainly not "trolling" or even hostile, seems to indicate some sort of discomfort with the OP. You come off rather patronizing, truth be told; it's as if you sense a sort of juvenile naivete in John's postings. For my part, I see absolutely no reason to come to this conclusion, so I'm naturally quite curious as to how you could come to such a position.
For my part, I'd rather judge John's maturity and his depth of faith solely by the fruits he bears than by his age. For my part, this blog is all I really have to go by, and I'm quite convinced thus far that he has thought and prayed deeply about what it means for him to be Catholic and how he is to live his life.
Kudos, John! I'll be adding the prayer for priests to my blog(s), as well!
John,
ReplyDeleteI am proud of you! Continue the good work you have started. You are blessed to have such wonderful parents who support you and guide you in your discernment. I will keep you in my prayers.
John, Your mom commented on my blog about your blog, after I posted about the Year for Priests. I will pray for your discernment process. No matter what the outcome, I am sure that this time in your life will be blessed and fruitful! God bless you!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful prayer John for such a wonderful year dedicated to the Holy Catholic Priesthood! Thank you :)
ReplyDelete