Do I scare you?

[ShannonMcCatholic]

In a way, it seems to me that there has been such a problem caused by the approach (over the last few decades) of "Hey, I'm just a guy, like anyone else!" that it has helped to lower the status of priests (and perhaps contributed to the perception of some of the priests themselves that they really are "no different" than anyon else, leading them to serious behavioral issues

I think that is sooooo true! It is why many younger orthodox priests are returning to wearing their clerics all the time. It does cause people to act differently around them- but that might mean that they want to confess their sins, or talk about their hurt, or are more aware of their own sinful nature- later causing reflection which leads back to Christ. Also, if a man is in his clerics- that will very likely keep them from participating in openly sinful behaviour. Personally, I also think seeing a priest in the grocery store- is really good- they do normal things, but they are still a priest. Does that make sense?

My kids know that priests are really special, as we've been to several Ordinations, and they know that only priests can say Mass and hear confessions. But they also know that priests can play football, and hide and seek, and push them on swings, and eat chocolate cake.

That now seems like a pointless post-but it's the end of the week and I'm sleepy...

In the Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Shannon

 

[thereselittleflower]

I am happy to meet you.

But no you do not scare me. I do not see anything with in your words besides the goodness of Christ. I am happy that you are here, and I hope to know you better.

Stormy . . . wait . . you haven't met him in person yet!!





Peace in Him!

 

[ps139]

Yes, you do scare this guy...see the shock?

That guy's jacket scares me.

 

[Polycarp1]

Yes, please don't say I'm a priest yet. I am not a priest!!!

However, my vocations director said, when entering seminary we must think of ourselves not as seminarians, but as future priests and be focused on the "prize" not the race itself!

I've had the calling for sometime, since September 6, 1993 to be exact. The place: Munich, Germany -- at the Marienplatz, under the statue of the Blessed Mother holding the Infant Jesus. I had no intention ever before to be a priest until then. Going to study in Rome the following term confirmed this calling.

What will your journey be like, Tim? How long is seminary? Do you know much about what courses you will be studying there?

I know, of course, that you'll be first ordained a deacon -- but will you serve as a deacon for any period, or is it a very short gap between diaconate and priesthood? (Anglican priests, FYI, serve as transitional deacons for six months minimum before receiving ordination to the priesthood, for reasons I'm not completely clear on.)

As a Capuchin "regular" (as opposed to "secular") priest, will you live in community? Or will you be sent to serve churches more or less on your own?

Oh, and what are the nature of the vows you take as a Capuchin?

 

[Bastoune]

What will your journey be like, Tim? How long is seminary? Do you know much about what courses you will be studying there?

I know, of course, that you'll be first ordained a deacon -- but will you serve as a deacon for any period, or is it a very short gap between diaconate and priesthood? (Anglican priests, FYI, serve as transitional deacons for six months minimum before receiving ordination to the priesthood, for reasons I'm not completely clear on.)

As a Capuchin "regular" (as opposed to "secular") priest, will you live in community? Or will you be sent to serve churches more or less on your own?

Oh, and what are the nature of the vows you take as a Capuchin?

A Capuchin is a branch of Franciscan, living in a community. Some remain only brothers, others go on to the priesthood and are known as "religious priests" as opposed to "diocesan priests" which I have chosen to become. I will not live in community, therefore, I prefer to think of the parish as my "brotherhood."

My first year I'll have to study a lot of philosophy and brush up on my Latin and Greek, but since I have a masters and scored well on the intelligence test (along with the psychological exam which I took to enter the Capuchins last year), I am going to be far along.

Seminary will be 6 years, including the year of transitional deaconate. My friend Jean-Emmanuel is a transitional deacon in the diocese of Tours, France, and will be ordained a priest in July.

 

[Bastoune]

Grace and peace to you!

I cannot believe this weekend!!! Well, it was very spiritual and very beautiful. I prayed and worshiped, even as I cleaned my house, from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon. Masses were wonderful on Saturday and Sunday. I spent a lot of time in intercessory prayer, meditation, contemplation, and of course, the Divine Office.

Sunday I went to my French church, comme d'habitude, and afterwards, I went to work out at the gym for 2 hours. I felt PUMPED!!! Anyway, nothing happened there -- it was later that I got sucked into some weird stuff.

I ran into this guy I knew who is the brother of the close friend of a friend of mine from Turkey. We met last year at his party at his place. He's from Costa Rica originally, but grew up in Miami. Anyway, he and some friends were on their way (it was late afternoon) to a birthday party for a friend and they asked me to come along. Now, I didn't know anyone but this Costa Rican guy from the group of 5 on their way to the party. And I'd not seen this guy for a year (not since my Turkish friend's visit last February!) but hey, I figured why not.

Probably it was a mistake. I wonder if God has a wicked sense of humour and I am sure He's laughing His divine butt off at me, but the party was very odd.

Already most of the people, by 5:30pm, were drunk out of their minds. This included all the women who took great pleasure in groping me, unbuttoning my shirt, kissing me, "grinding" me when dancing... it was not cool. Then I saw this one Costa Rican girl I'd met at that party last year, one with whom I "made out" at the time (this was before I made the decision to enter the Capuchins) last year, and had a "mild" interest in her then but she never called me back so I got over her pretty fast. Besides, she wasn't that alluring, she can't compare to my Jewish Carpenter spouse (who, even though He still lives with His Father, He's waaaaaaaay cooler than any mortal woman I have met).

But there she was, buzzed out of her mind and pretending like last year was right now and would NOT get the hint, in all her kissing, touching and groping that I was not interested...and would not reciprocate! In fact, each of the 10 women who took their turns groping me did not get the clue. So at one point, I said to them very sternly, "You have defiled the Temple of the Lord. Do not touch me again or you will incur the wrath of my Father in Heaven."

There was silence.

"Oh Timmy, why do you have to be so serious all the time! Lighten up!"

Anyway, then another girl, who was way drunk and spent a lot of time telling me about how she was going to Texas to meet her "internet loverboy" (my words) next week, was very sweet (though drunk) and didn't grope me, but then she said, "I should be getting home. Come home with me. You're sleeping over."

I tried to tell her that that was stupid and was not going to happen (by this point, all the people I'd come with had already bailed out on me to go watch the Grammy's...) and the more she insisted, I just turned and walked out.

And people ask me, "isn't it going to be hard to live the celibate life?!? To live without sex forever?!?"

Not when all the women I meet are as brazen as these. Seigneur, prends pitié!

 

[Dominus Fidelis]

Sounds like Satan is trying his worst to get you to sin...hold firm...however...

"You have defiled the Temple of the Lord. Do not touch me again or you will incur the wrath of my Father in Heaven."

LOL!

 

[seebs]

It sounds to me like you should probably work on better communication with people. Most people will take "no" for an answer if it's offered firmly but politely. Or maybe this is different where you live?

 

[Bastoune]

It sounds to me like you should probably work on better communication with people. Most people will take "no" for an answer if it's offered firmly but politely. Or maybe this is different where you live?

In New York City, I've learned, "no" must be really just a playful way of saying yes... You have to break something (or someone) to get them to stop.

I did pray the entire time, and the Lord allowed me to reach into the soul of one girl there who began to feel overwhelmed with guilt over some things and began to cry at one point... but she was so drunk and so were the others, that no one really paid attention.

Moral of the story: next time, I'll just go home.

 

[seebs]

Weird. I guess the Twin Cities are pretty calm by comparison.

 

[Dominus Fidelis]

Weird. I guess the Twin Cities are pretty calm by comparison.

Dunno...maybe we are just bad looking? I've never been groped by men or women in public places!

 

[Bastoune]

I personally wonder if this rather abnormal behavior that goes on around me and towards me is not a part of my "discernment" spiritual gifts, in some strange way. Many of you on OBOB have mentioned the fact that strangers are "drawn" to them and share things, opening up easily to them. For me, I have also, with a look into the eyes, and a prayer, been able to read the souls of many people, and even draw out the truth from people (sort of like Wonder Woman's lasso, I like to joke), or draw it out to the surface where they see for themselves what they are failing to acknowledge... it's all about revealing what is hidden so that healing occurs and truth prevails.

However, there are those who lie right to my face when I pray over them, and yet their lies are open and evident to me. I can sense this and in their lies, my heart and soul hear and know the truth.


So maybe somehow this odd behavior I see occuring around me is sort of related to that. Maybe my presence draws something out of them, in these cases, a lustful character that needs to be healed. Because afterwards, they often feel very sorry and are aware of their actions. This may account for why people of kind and gentle heart are drawn to me and why truly wicked people I have, through no action of my own, rubbed the wrong way, and brought out only venom.

I do not know. But it's interesting. In any case, I notice an ability to counsel and sooth the pains and minister to the needs of these people. It is a gift I can't abuse (because it's not under my control; it's God who guides it). I am merely an instrument of my Heavenly Father.

 

[Dominus Fidelis]

Sounds good Bastoune!