I have a similar memory Bishop. At a young age I can remember going into my parents bedroom to kiss them goodnight and seeing my father on his knees at the side of the bed praying. The first time I asked what he was doing. He told me he was praying to God his creator. He said it with such reverence and love. Right then and there I knew I had to get to know this "God" my father spoke of. My father was my hero, my everything and if he had a hero (God), then I wanted to get to know him as well, in earnest. Thanks Dad for giving me my faith!
A MYSTERY TO BE REVEALED Have you ever asked someone a difficult question about religion, and because they couldn't offer an adequate reply, they said, "I don't know. It's a mystery." You probably felt dissatisfied, as if the term "mystery" was supposed to explain everything that doesn't make sense. While it's true that the human mind can't fully comprehend everything, this use of the word "mystery" gives the term a bad reputation. The word "mystery" does not imply that we cannot know anything about a certain matter, but rather that we everything about it. cannot know A mystery could be defined as something partly hidden because of its great depth. Because of its greatness, it is not easily unveiled, but it does deserve to be pursued. This definition of a mystery can apply to God. He is veiled from our senses, but because of His greatness He deserves to be pursued. From the book Theology of His Body / Theology of Her Body, Jason Evert.
This is so true, Bishop! I spent much time both at church and school (boarding). Many people commented on my academic strengths, and now I am a Professor of Chemistry. Recently (in the past four years), I have been asking myself why no one told me I could be a priest? I saw myself as not deserving the priesthood, yet I was a very good kid, active in my local church...we need to tell the young boys!
I have to agree with what you're saying. Very impressed with your presentation my brother. My dad was a minister and he was also a mechanical engineer for the United States Coast guard. He taught me quite a bit in my life especially how to be humble and do good works for other people. My mom was a great inspiration as well, she was catholic. It's a long story but it's a very beautiful Story of My Life and all the blessings that God has poured upon me and my family. I enjoy being a clergyman. I enjoy listening to all of our wonderful brothers in the clergy speak the truth about our Lord Jesus Christ. I also know quite a few nuns and they have always put into my mind and heart to be a priest. But, here I am many years later as a minister and yes I thoroughly enjoy everything I do in my life for those in my mission field and also in my personal life. It has fulfilled me and I have such great joy and satisfaction. God bless you my brother. And God bless all of you reading this comment. Minister Timothy michael. Chicago Illinois
We have a prayer group in our Chapel community whose main intention is to consistently pray for more priest & religious vocations. I pray that other communities may have it as well. Because these individuals truly needs our powerful prayers. 🌹💜🙏
That would mean the hierarchy would have to admit the agenda of the past 50 years was ineffective if not disastrous. Many of these bishops and priests have build their entire legacies on the failed post-conciliar framework. It would require serious humility and undercutting of their very existence. Many of these men will go to their grave holding up the failure! Good thing is that is not far off.
Traditional Latin Mass orders and very conservative Novus Ordo groups like (Dominican Sisters Mary Mother of the Eucharist) are down right flourishing. But the hierchy does not want any if that to spread. They want the Church to be more like the Episcopalians.
From the book " Poem of The Man-God by Maria Valtorta # sophiabuy # # 168 - The Parable of the Lost Drachma # But Jesus says: “But the girl asked me to tell you to forget about it.” “Does she not like the groom? What happened to her?” “She also wants to follow Me. What do you say?” “You say my daughter has been called by You. But I wish to know in what her call consists.” “In bringing the lilies of a virginal love into the garden of Christ. There will be many such virgins in future centuries! The scented flower beds to counterbalance the links of vice. Praying souls counterbalancing blasphemers and atheists. They are the joy of God.” Mary of Magdala blushes and asks: “And we... the ruins that you are building up... What shall we become?” “What your virgin sisters are. And martyrs against yourselves and recollections of your past and through thirst for love and expiation.”
Fr Brett Brannen # The Vocational Pre-Determination by God When I was a vocation director, I would visit the Catholic schools in my diocese to teach the children about vocations. I explained to them that before God had even created the world, he knew them and he loved them. He already knew your name, he knew every thought you would ever think, he knew how many hairs were on your head, he knew your sins, he knew your good deeds, and he even saw the moment of your death and your entrance into heaven. And God had already decided your vocation before he had even made the world! Or at least, he had already planned to which vocation you would be called. When it finally became time for you to be born, God created your soul to go inside your tiny body, and it was created specifically for that pre-determined vocation. I call this concept the vocational pre-determination by God, or vocational pre-destination. If God is calling you to marriage, then he prepared your soul and gave you the gifts of body and soul to live out the vocation of marriage. If God is calling you to priesthood, then your soul and body were made with that vocation in mind. This will be an important hint for you as you discern. Look at the gifts God has given to you and where those gifts are best used to build up the Kingdom.
I hope that priestly Vocations, Vocations to religious life, consecrated lay life and marriages where the couple actively serve God's people in the Church grow and blossom, for the future of the Church. I love what you spoke, especially about Therese of Lisieux. God bless your ministry Bishop Barron. God bless W.O.F.
More Adoration hours is great. But the simple way the church can increase vocations is to simply return calls, voicemails and emails. I am 100% serious that this would solve the problem! It’s really that easy. ...I was ghosted by several dioceses and religious orders. If I did get a response it was less than human, or I’ll be in touch - and then ghosted. Because of my sales and business background...I was persistent (and only because of my background). Most others would not be that persistent. Getting the “call from God” is very scary. Being ignored sends a signal “we don’t need you” and it’s an easy out. Religious orders and each Diocese need to “share” those that come forward with others if they are not a good match (ie age etc). A solid communication and follow up plan needs to be in place.
Dear Bishop: please, is this true that we make it harder for people discerning their vocation to get answers? To the extent that we don't return their calls?
Basically by promoting healthy vocations to marriage and the building of the domestic church. Where do seminarians come from after all? Obviously young men of many backgrounds can hear and respond to the call, but the main source of seminarians is coming from large devout families. A family centered on Christ will shine the Lumen Christi into the world in many ways, especially vocations to religious life.
Very true, Families !!!!! and empowerment of women, is killing families , and i see this consuming Evil not stopping soon , its happening world wide !!!!! , here in Africa too...….very bad. are my the only one seeing this ? can boys from illicit union , single parent homes, i mean are 90% world wide ….really be candidates for priesthood ? no i don't think so.
I think of the many many answered vocations were the result of a priest/religious/older person saying "you'd make a lovely priest/nun"... We are now paralyzed by fear that such a comment could/would be seen as offensive. No one (especially priests); speaking about or praying for vocations Thank you Bishop Barron. God bless your ministry, your knowledge, your enthusiasm. Thank you
@@G-MIP I want to genuinely ask if this comment is helpful for Matt. I understand that there is a lot of tension with the EF, but I want to call you on to charity in the midst of it all.
I knew an elderly woman who died a few years ago. She told me that in the 1960s, she planned to become a nun. But then, they tossed away all the best Catholic traditions, and she decided she couldn't give her entire being to a lukewarm church. She became a college professor instead and enjoyed that life. But she was a wonderful, devout woman, so a big opportunity was missed. I think a lot of people -- men and women -- likely have given up thoughts of pursuing religious life for the same reasons that my friend did. The Catholic Church will always be a huge part of my life -- where else do we find the Eucharist? But the more it moves away from its roots and traditions -- yes, including Latin -- the more watered down it becomes.
No one has ever been able to explain the reason for wanting the Latin mass. Latin was the language of the common people in its day. We now have our own common language in each country. If I go to mass in another country and I don’t know the language what’s the point of being there to listen because I won’t understand anything. It’s the same with the Latin mass. Do you want kids to attend mass then you need to be able to speak to them in their own language. Otherwise they sit in the pew and hear gibberish and go away wanting.
@@mrss4328 " Otherwise they sit in the pew and hear gibberish and go away wanting." Well, unfortunately, that's what they've been doing in the 50 years since the church went to the vernacular -- going away wanting, never to return. I grew up without Latin. Now that I'm immersed in it, I feel the power of addressing God in a language that does not have a bunch of everyday domestic associations. Remember, for hundreds of years, Catholics from all over the world shared a common language in their worship. That united all Catholics. Now, that's gone. But my larger point is beyond Latin. It is a criticism of how the church has de-emphasized the traditions that make it unique. The more I have turned back to those traditions, the deeper my faith has become. The more our parish emphasizes these traditions, the more attendance at Mass swells. I think if you try it -- as strange and uncomfortable as it might feel at first -- you might be surprised at how much closer it brings you to Christ.
Listen to Doc Petersen. Since Vatican II the call of the church for people To adhere to Church teaching has been dumbed down. When your require less, you get less. Need to call for better liturgies and REIGN IN BAD PRIESTS who don’t do the liturgy correctly. Allow more TLM masses for Churches who want it. In fact it should be required that ALL priests learn it and to give one mass on each Sunday for it at least twice per month. You get higher standards from people when you ask Fr. Baron
Always I so enjoy and learn from the Word on fire 🔥 I attended early morning mass this morning. The Basilica was blanketed in a fresh snow fall, so beautiful.. I am so lucky to attend the National Shrine of Mary help of Christians at Holy hill Wisconsin. I pray for those to hear and answer the call..Peaceful warriors of Jesus Christ. I missed the calling many year ago. Father Bishop Barren I am happy to see you are now in Rochester. Though the winters there can be harsh. I am a patient of Mayo Clinic. A few surgeries there. Excellent care there. While in recovery I would watch the Mayo clinic TV channel. I can't remember her name. But a Sister from the clinic would interview different Mayo Clinic employees Doctors, Nurses. Very interesting and inspiring interviews. Sister would ask them what lead them into the medical field. In my humble opinion I believe it is a calling for these people...Maybe not unlike the calling for the Priest hood? Just my thoughts. God bless you Father and have a wonderful day tomorrow..
I don't think the main problem is that people wouldn't see the role of priest as an attractive career path. To me the major problem is the generally low, and falling, birth rate. The last statistics I found from 2022 showed that the average Catholic woman has 1.8 children in her lifetime, whereas she would have given birth to slightly over 6 children in the 1950's (the peak). If you're the only son, or even the only child, that your parents have, they might become very sad to know that no-one will carry on the family name or there won't be any grandchildren at all. I think this has moved many warm hearted young men who would make great priests not to pursue this avenue and instead to work on finding a spouse just to carry on the family legacy.
This is so true for me, I have often thought about the priesthood but the simple truth is that if I do that my family dies out as I am the only male child with our surname.
The scripture says, “The strength of the wicked is being cut off, and the power of the Godly is being increased.” Everything that’s trying to stop you, you need to see that power as being cut off. It may be hindering you now, but it’s only temporary. It’s not going to last. It has lost its source. Every day, it’s withering; every day, it’s getting weaker. On the outside, it may look the same, but on the inside, it’s drying up.
My experience with parishes who only say the Novus Ordo Missae has been consistently mediocre or worse. Men and boys instinctually are drawn to excellence and reject mediocrity. The Catholic Church has a 50+ year track record of the enforced mediocrity of the reforms of Vatican II (really difficult to be excellent when all the hard stuff is dumbed down or removed). Catholicism was hard because it had well-reasoned standards, now the standards are so easy as to be pointless (or do we not dare hope that all are saved). Perhaps that is why men and boys don't come to Mass. Perhaps that is why young men don't enter seminary. There's nothing obvious to strive for other than the vanilla mediocrity of a Catholicism whose standards are so low as to be virtually indistinguishable from some forms of Protestantism.
Both need help, but the Priesthood in the American Church is limping, relying on priests from Asia and Africa to keep things running smoothly. If those priests returned to their home countries tomorrow, the American Chruch would effectively be shut down.
@@FourEyedFrenchman hard to gain motivation to become a priest when half the families are broken homes with the adults missing masses for work to make ends meet. I understand your sentiment but in my opinion the priest shortage is a symptom of a much larger problem. The destruction of the family.
I often hear people saying that the decline of vocations has been because of something or another going on in the church, just no one can agree exactly on what it is. If that's the case, when we pray for God to inspire more men and women to religious vocation, we ought to be prepared for the Holy Spirit to change our lives first.
Encourage vocations by promoting young people to ask questions concerning the faith and mentor them in ministries of their interest. Have a retreat weekend to this goal.
I think the answer to "more priests" is the same answer to more people in the pews. The solution was in the book of Jonathon and made specific in the Fatima apparitions. The answer to these problems may be for the Church to "come out of the cisterns" and lead the prayers requested at Fatima. It would be an easy experiment to do in a diocese. Lead the prayers and measure an effect.
After seeing priests in Africa in Twitter, we need to have men willing to answer God's call to be soldiers, not of vain glory, but of God's glory. Willing to conquer spirits for Him! Which means going out and buying food for the poor and going out to their camps. Which means helping a parishioner with no sons to farm. You get the idea - get out there and work in the trenches! And be willing to sing praise while doing that work!
I don’t feel called to the priesthood. But if I did, I would not go the diocesan route because: 1. I would want to celebrate both the Novus Ordo and the TLM, but I would longer have the right to do that 2. I could not mentally handle being assigned to a parish with a poor liturgy where I am forced to comply with liturgical abuse because my pastor and/congregation are unwilling to change their ways After TC, I suspect that many called to the priesthood may end up going the ICKSP or FSSP
I'm discerning diocesan because that's where we need good priest the most. Evil people are good at subverting good institutions, but good people usually fail to take back what evil corrupted. I took this under the advice of a very traditional TLM priest.
@Sneed I don't know why you think that I think that way. I know I might never be able to celebrate the TLM, I know I will not be able to be as traditional as I want, and I know that I will have susans, boomers, and general modernists to contend with. My thinking is that I want to serve the people of God, and be a part of the reform of his church. I want to evangelize to the heretics and modernists. Not all are called to what I feel called to, and fine, but for me, diocesan life is my path to holiness, and the fulfillment of my spiritual gifts.
@Sneed when a new priest is appointed to a parish, all the parish councils are vacated for you. This gives the new priest the ability to appoint people he likes. Or even still, to leave them permanently vacant.
Catholic Leadership Institute recently surveyed the faithful in the Diocese of Cleveland and found something like 80% or 85% of priests remembered being invited to consider priesthood by another priest or family or friend. Astonishingly, the same survey found that only 15% of the faithful had ever ventured to ask someone to consider priesthood or religious life. Cleveland is doing okay with vocations, but if you could double or triple that 15% to 30% or 45% we could be well on the way to doubling our seminarians.
Don’t take this the wrong way but. I wanted to be a priest in high school. All I ever heard was “You have to be a straight A student Because Latin is hard. And you have to be rich, because college is expensive.” So I gave up.
In the eastern church it’s quite common for the son of a priest to join the clergy to the point where last names like Khory (priest) are common predominantly eastern rite countries
I put three candles for the little flower(Saint Therese ) in church today(in France), but not smoking i bear no matches, in an empty church, where people have given up hiding them somewhere, for too often found by kids... and every year several churches go up in no spiritual flames. So i left them, and maybe Therese will enlighten some boys instead. It will be difficult though because the Vatican has recently closed the only really productif seminary. Maybe they should have been more subtle. Maybe our bishops should also restaure real cathechism. How enlighten someone who has hardly any knowledge. There is si much work to do and often against the ideas of the clergy...
☃️🤣💗❄️🥲🍝☕🌮🍳🍞🍿🍇😍💘💌🍼✨🍟🍩🔥🌭💐👑😜🥰🥴🤗😘😋🥳🤭😝😉😇👼and i admire Every Priests since 2010 cause they recognize me surrender to Godself this time. And i LOVE they as grandparents SO if they're young
From the book " To Save a Thousand of Souls by fr Brett Brannen Our Primary Vocation is Holiness Happiness is doing the will of God. Interestingly, that could also be the definition of holiness. The primary and universal vocation of every person in the world is to be holy-to become like Jesus Christ. Christ-likeness is the only success recognized by God. Or, as 11 Interestingly, the people who take holiness seriously are also the people who experience the most happiness here in this life. Why? Because our holiness is preparing us for the supreme happiness of heaven, the true destiny for which we were made, not some glimmer of happiness which we might experience here. Holiness directly leads to fulfillment and human flourishing, and the entire concept of vocation encompasses both. The first vocation of every baptized person is to become a saint.
I find the best Priests have lived life before becoming a Priest. I don't think the sheltered homeschooling in nothing but strict Catholic homes is going to help too many people. Life is messy and the maturity of a Priest who has been exposed to the kind of people they are trying to reach is very important. Unfortunately the average Catholic family is not usually teaching their young boys and girls to discern vocations with God. That said a Priest HAS to be a Priest because it is truly His call from God. The church has reaped what has been sown when young men enter religious life who should not. I am grateful for all our good God loving God fearing Priests from all backgrounds
I agree. Homeschooling in nothing but strict Catholic rules isn't going to help anyone, particularly in the long run. Yes, it is important to have families live Catholic lives and raise their kids in the faith. But I am fearful that this fundamentalist Catholic approach will have the same results that fundamentalist Christian raising of children has had in the US and Canada, that is many of the children leaving the faith as adults.
This is a slippery slope. Catholic homeschooling can be good but the family needs to take care to instill joy and good natured fun into the education so that the person can be warm hearted.
When I go to the traditional Latin mass, there are always lots of altar boys. When I go to the mainstream Novus ordo, there are zero to just a few. When I speak to priests in the traditional orders, they tell me their vocations are strong. When I look at the numbers in the mainstream Novus ordo, their numbers are sad. Maybe we should be learning from the TLM and more traditional orders. They seem to be doing something right.
I have been discerning for some time already. There is this strong sense I'm being called to religious life. However, many things come in between. Currently, my dad might be deported to Mexico. Some year's ago he got held back from immigration. Luckily they let him go with the permission to work,and being watched. His last court is coming and the lawyer won’t give him much chance. Is a very difficult situation and expensive. I was having the strength to take courage and start looking more seriously where GOD might be calling me. Next month I was going to some come and sees but now idk 😔
@@katmorales9447 I believe your vocation is to your mom and siblings until such immigration issues are resolved. I had to care for my terminally ill mother until she died before I could take the next step.
Perhaps there might be candidates to be found in either recently separated, or those currently separating from the Military. Most of them have money to pay for the required college through the GI Bill.
@@russellmiles2861 I never implied that the military prepares anyone for being ordained. I just stated that there may be Veterans who may be interested in looking into priest hood.
@@russellmiles2861 For the most part, initial enlisted contracts into the military are four to six years. Assuming the service time starts after high school graduation the applicant should be able to transition out of the military around their 24th Birthday. The applicant may qualify for a very generous GI Bill, enlistment bonus, and student loan repayment. Along the course of the applicants service, they will receive discipline. They will also learn about team work, cooperation, and leadership. These appear to be similar to the skills that you describe.
I would LOVE to guide my grandson Bryson toward the priesthood. His father left him at 6 months, so he might gravitate to his REAL father like no priest before. Please pray for us. 🙏🏻 He's 8 now, going on 18. 😊
Let him study nursing, physical therapy, radiologic technology, respiratory therapy, pharmacy, laboratory science, occupational therapy, nutrition, dentistry, optometry, medicine and teach him the life of St. Camillus De Lellis,
Please Bring back reverence. Bring back fasting. Bring back beauty. Bring back the sacrificial aspect of the priesthood. Bring back preaching in the true Apostolic tradition.
allow people from other countries and nationalities to join, make it not only about theology but also open it up for science careers, arts careers and other professionals. the church should reclaim its place at the centerpiece of science and patron of arts. it has always been more than just praying
Many religious orders already do this. I am thinking primarily of the Jesuits and Dominicans. Ten years ago helping out in our parish Rectory I came across the alumni magazine for a Jesuit School in Louisiana and a similar publication for our local (Oakland, CA) priory/Dominican school and read the amazing bios of the young men in study/formation who had amazing backgrounds or careers in physic, chemical engineers, petroleum engineers, genetics who have entered. One of my favorite priests had a background in musical theater, and on the "happy priest" recommendation of Bishop Barron, my friend participates in summer stock theater productions. Also, I think we lay people have to not look upon religious vocations or the ordained clergy as "anybody but my child" kind of life.
The church has way too many requirements for the priesthood. I’m not talking about celibacy, etc. I am talking about the schooling. Like 10 years of college??? I had and still have a vocation but was told that I was not academically inclined. Since then, I am a published author.
Fr Brett Brannen # Seek and You will Find… and Flourish The discernment of your correct God-predetermined vocation is the most important decision that you will make in your entire life. It may seem easier or less frightening to make your own plans or to decide your own vocation. But the truth is that the most peaceful place in the world for you is in the perfect will of God. To get there involves a diligent search. Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-12). No one can force you to search for your vocation. It must be your free decision to search, to discover, and to respond. If you choose to search, I promise you that you will find your particular vocation, though it may not be easy. If you choose not to search, you are not likely to find it. I believe one of the problems in the Church today is that many people are in the wrong vocation. Many people have grown up unaware that they have a vocation, much less that they should be asking God to reveal it to them. And there are many unhappy, unfulfilled, dissatisfied people. As a general rule, people flourish in their correct vocation! Flourishing does not just mean they are happy. It means they are steadily growing in holiness, they are fulfilled, and they are becoming the person God wants them to be. Fr. Brian Bashista, vocation director of the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia, underscores that vocation is less about personal choice and more about discovery. A vocation is not so much a choice as it is an invitation and response. A person offers himself or herself to the other. Vocations are always ‘other-directed.’ They are about love. Love is not so much chosen; it is discovered and then responded to. Even in marriage, a man does not really choose his wife or vice versa. He extends an invitation to her to enter into this vocation and she responds. Every vocation takes two yeses. As you seek to say yes to God and to discover the vocation in which God wants you to flourish, I recommend this prayer to you. Say it every day, more than once. Dear God, I want to want what you want. Even if I don’t want it right now; Even if I am afraid right now, I want to want it. Help me to want to be what you want me to be. Amen.
Gonna need another pope Benedict for this. Pope Francis’s vocation numbers are like Les Miles’s championships. He was working with his predecessor’s capital. Once that was spent, we saw his capital.
It is not the only reason, of course, but it cannot be discounted: I have heard nothing but unrelenting nastiness and criticism from the Pope toward priests for 9 years. Even if perhaps he has been radically misunderstood, and he is meaning to encourage the brethren, quite a few priests and perhaps bishops too have embraced what they think is his outlook and have been utter terrors to their peers or brothers in ministry. It's definitely taken a big toll on my morale, and I am unsure whether I would have had the emotional stamina to make it through seminary were I a young man now, vulnerable to the whims and potential caprice of formators. I do think taking the hunger of the young for authentic tradition and clear articulation of unchanging and unchangeable truth in perfect continuity seriously is important as well, indeed indispensable and not a thing to be feared (young folks want the full glory of the Faith here and now, not a fantasy of some golden era 100 years ago as some fear or claim), but even that is not a magic bullet per se. Rather, we need to foster, embrace, and form the men God gives us as themselves, rather than forcing them into an arbitrary mold of what we wish they were for ideological or other reasons apart from the Gospel.
I guess your idea of unchanging and unchangeable truths can only be expressed in propositions. Propositions, however, aren't living realities that are subject to change. A faith that is solely based on assenting to immutable truths is nothing but sterile faith. The Pope you're referring to doesn't necessarily engage in abstract theological musings but he is primarily a pastor whose vocation is to shepherd his sheep and he does that by addressing them, not with high-sounding words, but with simple words.
Sure i only dance or sing cause inside of me the Saint Holy Spirit is pulling me or kicking me to do it for LOVE cause can't be me if not all LOVE that Saint Holy Spirit gives me to share to all cause we was called ever first for Godself if He doesn't call us we can't go to follow him for do nothing. SO thanks You God and Bishop Barrón cause if Godself doesn't call us everyone we can't be or do where or what He wanted for help all
Lots of discouragement in these comments. So, bishop here are the reasons people aren’t coming at the rate that is needed. The comments here illustrate how people respond to vocation. I was also discouraged in my vocation by the laity and by corrupt women religious who wanted to be priests. I wanted to serve the Church and participate with prayerful support of the bishop and priests and the laity they serve. I was told that this was wrong and that the only way to serve was to join the feminist agenda. I couldn’t do it. I prayed very deeply with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament I did what was asked of me while walking with the communion of Saints. I ran into the LCWR well.....they have the politicians...... There is so much I could tell you bishop. I walk with St. Anthony of Padua.... hammer of heretics.
SO Every vocation singers or actors or others much is a call from God too entertainment too. Cause i'm not professional in nothing. But Godself ever found me a way
I have lots of health and psychological.. problems. But I'm really good at thinking outside the box and repurposing things. Is there anything I could do to help the church? I don't feel very useful.
Contact your local parish and see if there is a ministry or other way you can provide assistance. There are always things, large and small, that need doing. God bless you!
pray the Rosary to increase vocations for the Diocesans and the Dominican family, the Corona of Our Lady of Consolation for the Augustinian family, Chaplet of Divine Mercy for the Jesuit, SVD, CSC, Resurrectionists, Redemptorists, Salvatorians, Stigmatines, Rogationists, Fathers of Mercy, MSC fathers, Mercedarian Family, Friday fasting for the Passionists and Minims, Crosiers, Dehonians, Legionaries of Christ, chaplet of the Holy Spirit for the Holy Spirit fathers, Spiritans, Oratorians, Pallotines, Trisagion for the Trinitarians, Trinity Missions, SOLT, Hospitallers, Blessed Sacrament Adoration for the Blessed Sacrament Family,
Very true, Families !!!!! and empowerment of women, is killing families , and i see this consuming Evil not stopping soon , its happening world wide !!!!! , here in Africa too...….very bad. are my the only one seeing this ? can boys from illicit union , single parent homes, i mean are 90% world wide ….really be candidates for priesthood ? no i don't think so..
The most important thing necessary to encourage vocations is allowing marriage for priests and nuns. There is no way they can understand the pressures of family life, especially when it goes awry, if they are not living it themselves. Present nuns may also benefit from marriage, but it doesn’t have to be mandated, just allowed.
Unfortunately, I'm 46 years old and I don't think the Church will have anything to do with me. I can't imagine that I would be allowed in any vocation.
If anyone is perfect as to be without sin then there is no need for church and the sacraments. Stop looking at other peoples faults and sins and look inward so you’ll realize that taming the passions is a tall order and pretty dang hard. K.
I'm going to disagree partially with the good Bishops analysis and approach. I get approached all the time with the priest pitch, and it feels like its just because I'm one of the few non-married guys in the pews. If you get more guys in the pews, then more priests will follow. Focus on making men of character who follow the Church on marriage rules too. We have an isolation approach to the issue priest issue that isn't working. The focus on how his father impacted his decision hits the nail on the head.
If you want to add vocations. -Repeal Vatican 2. -Hold an Inquisition to purge corrupted hierarchy. - Promote pious men rather than ambitious men seeking that which the devil tempted Christ.
@@mattmackinnan8557 If Catholic means universal.. and the Eastern Catholic rite has married priests, and anglican pastors who are married convert into Roman Catholic priests... then you cannot speak for everyone because there are already married priests in the Catholic church. How can the Catholic church claim to be "universal" if it isn't? There is no reason not to allow the option as it is a human custom.
@@mattmackinnan8557 Who cares if you want to get married or not. Maybe it would be pleasing to God if there were more married priests. There are a lot of instances in the bible where people do things they didn't want to do.
@@mattmackinnan8557 Tomorrow's readings talk about Zechariah... a married priest who went on to have a son (John the baptist).. and it was a miracle because of their old age.
@Sneed I am absolutely for retaining clerical celibacy as the norm in the West. However, the Eastern Churches figure out the proper balance, as do the few (legitimately) non-celibate Roman priests. I don't think this is the argument to rest the practice on.
@sneed3529 Well considering the dire lack of priests that sure is a shock, lol. Somehow all the other faiths have "the time". This is why the church is dying.
@@dakotaescher1 dumb comment. Show me where in the eastern rite that priestly vocations have gone up. Also look at the orthodox. The problem is not celibacy, but unchastity. Notice how religious vocations went down after the sexual revolution.
celibacy is a strength.. this world is all about weaknesses and instant, self-gratifications... That doesn't sound like Jesus to me at all... I will stick with celibacy for My God, Savior and Creator - 🌹📿🙏✝🙋♀
Hi Matthew. I know a married Priest. He was a married, ordained Anglican minister who converted and, through arrangements made by Benedict XVI, he was able to convert and be a Priest. While he loves his wife (that's obvious) he has told me point blank that he sees the wisdom of a celibate priesthood. He staunchly supports this Catholic rule.
I have a similar memory Bishop. At a young age I can remember going into my parents bedroom to kiss them goodnight and seeing my father on his knees at the side of the bed praying. The first time I asked what he was doing. He told me he was praying to God his creator. He said it with such reverence and love. Right then and there I knew I had to get to know this "God" my father spoke of. My father was my hero, my everything and if he had a hero (God), then I wanted to get to know him as well, in earnest. Thanks Dad for giving me my faith!
A MYSTERY TO BE REVEALED
Have you ever asked someone a difficult question about religion, and because they couldn't offer an adequate reply, they said, "I don't know. It's a mystery." You probably felt dissatisfied, as if the term "mystery" was supposed to explain everything that doesn't make sense. While it's true that the human mind can't fully comprehend everything, this use of the word "mystery" gives the term a bad reputation. The word "mystery" does not imply that we cannot know anything about a certain matter, but rather that we everything about it. cannot know
A mystery could be defined as something partly hidden because of its great depth. Because of its greatness, it is not easily unveiled, but it does deserve to be pursued. This definition of a mystery can apply to God. He is veiled from our senses, but because of His greatness He deserves to be pursued.
From the book
Theology of His Body / Theology of Her Body, Jason Evert.
Beautiful , thanks for sharing
This is so true, Bishop! I spent much time both at church and school (boarding). Many people commented on my academic strengths, and now I am a Professor of Chemistry. Recently (in the past four years), I have been asking myself why no one told me I could be a priest? I saw myself as not deserving the priesthood, yet I was a very good kid, active in my local church...we need to tell the young boys!
I have to agree with what you're saying. Very impressed with your presentation my brother. My dad was a minister and he was also a mechanical engineer for the United States Coast guard. He taught me quite a bit in my life especially how to be humble and do good works for other people. My mom was a great inspiration as well, she was catholic. It's a long story but it's a very beautiful Story of My Life and all the blessings that God has poured upon me and my family. I enjoy being a clergyman. I enjoy listening to all of our wonderful brothers in the clergy speak the truth about our Lord Jesus Christ. I also know quite a few nuns and they have always put into my mind and heart to be a priest. But, here I am many years later as a minister and yes I thoroughly enjoy everything I do in my life for those in my mission field and also in my personal life. It has fulfilled me and I have such great joy and satisfaction. God bless you my brother. And God bless all of you reading this comment. Minister Timothy michael. Chicago Illinois
Here in France the Communauté de Saint Martin in France is growing. I'll be praying for vocations in your diocese.
I remember my USAF tour in France. Going to Notre Dame. Seeing the old Nun by the door way, and giving my last 1 new Franc (20 cents) 1963.
We have a prayer group in our Chapel community whose main intention is to consistently pray for more priest & religious vocations. I pray that other communities may have it as well. Because these individuals truly needs our powerful prayers. 🌹💜🙏
Please consider gifting some book from viney vocations
Belief in the real presence.
It’s really that simple.
I think we could look where they are thriving (usually more “traditional” places) and try to implement it
Amen.
That would mean the hierarchy would have to admit the agenda of the past 50 years was ineffective if not disastrous. Many of these bishops and priests have build their entire legacies on the failed post-conciliar framework. It would require serious humility and undercutting of their very existence. Many of these men will go to their grave holding up the failure! Good thing is that is not far off.
Traditional Latin Mass orders and very conservative Novus Ordo groups like (Dominican Sisters Mary Mother of the Eucharist) are down right flourishing. But the hierchy does not want any if that to spread. They want the Church to be more like the Episcopalians.
From the book " Poem of The Man-God by Maria Valtorta # sophiabuy #
# 168 - The Parable of the Lost Drachma # But Jesus says: “But the girl asked me to tell you to forget about it.” “Does she not like the groom? What happened to her?” “She also wants to follow Me. What do you say?” “You say my daughter has been called by You. But I wish to know in what her call consists.” “In bringing the lilies of a virginal love into the garden of Christ. There will be many such virgins in future centuries! The scented flower beds to counterbalance the links of vice. Praying souls counterbalancing blasphemers and atheists. They are the joy of God.” Mary of Magdala blushes and asks: “And we... the ruins that you are building up... What shall we become?” “What your virgin sisters are. And martyrs against yourselves and recollections of your past and through thirst for love and expiation.”
Fr Brett Brannen #
The Vocational Pre-Determination by God When I was a vocation director, I would visit the Catholic schools in my diocese to teach the children about vocations. I explained to them that before God had even created the world, he knew them and he loved them. He already knew your name, he knew every thought you would ever think, he knew how many hairs were on your head, he knew your sins, he knew your good deeds, and he even saw the moment of your death and your entrance into heaven. And God had already decided your vocation before he had even made the world! Or at least, he had already planned to which vocation you would be called. When it finally became time for you to be born, God created your soul to go inside your tiny body, and it was created specifically for that pre-determined vocation. I call this concept the vocational pre-determination by God, or vocational pre-destination. If God is calling you to marriage, then he prepared your soul and gave you the gifts of body and soul to live out the vocation of marriage. If God is calling you to priesthood, then your soul and body were made with that vocation in mind. This will be an important hint for you as you discern. Look at the gifts God has given to you and where those gifts are best used to build up the Kingdom.
I hope that priestly Vocations, Vocations to religious life, consecrated lay life and marriages where the couple actively serve God's people in the Church grow and blossom, for the future of the Church. I love what you spoke, especially about Therese of Lisieux. God bless your ministry Bishop Barron. God bless W.O.F.
@textnowbishoprobertbarron bot
More Adoration hours is great. But the simple way the church can increase vocations is to simply return calls, voicemails and emails. I am 100% serious that this would solve the problem! It’s really that easy.
...I was ghosted by several dioceses and religious orders. If I did get a response it was less than human, or I’ll be in touch - and then ghosted. Because of my sales and business background...I was persistent (and only because of my background). Most others would not be that persistent.
Getting the “call from God” is very scary. Being ignored sends a signal “we don’t need you” and it’s an easy out.
Religious orders and each Diocese need to “share” those that come forward with others if they are not a good match (ie age etc). A solid communication and follow up plan needs to be in place.
Dear Bishop: please, is this true that we make it harder for people discerning their vocation to get answers? To the extent that we don't return their calls?
Basically by promoting healthy vocations to marriage and the building of the domestic church. Where do seminarians come from after all? Obviously young men of many backgrounds can hear and respond to the call, but the main source of seminarians is coming from large devout families. A family centered on Christ will shine the Lumen Christi into the world in many ways, especially vocations to religious life.
Very true, Families !!!!! and empowerment of women, is killing families , and i see this consuming Evil not stopping soon , its happening world wide !!!!! , here in Africa too...….very bad. are my the only one seeing this ? can boys from illicit union , single parent homes, i mean are 90% world wide ….really be candidates for priesthood ? no i don't think so.
I think of the many many answered vocations were the result of a priest/religious/older person saying "you'd make a lovely priest/nun"... We are now paralyzed by fear that such a comment could/would be seen as offensive.
No one (especially priests); speaking about or praying for vocations
Thank you Bishop Barron. God bless your ministry, your knowledge, your enthusiasm. Thank you
I'm currently applying for the nashville diocese
@Sneeddiscern whether to join an order then, Godspeed and Godbless!
@Sneed Does your vocation hinge on your ability to celebrate the TLM?
@Sneed Then you are disobeying God’s call - and mistakenly obeying the call to be a Pharisee.
@@G-MIP I want to genuinely ask if this comment is helpful for Matt. I understand that there is a lot of tension with the EF, but I want to call you on to charity in the midst of it all.
@Sneed language spoken by Jesus was Syro- Aramaic not latin.
Bishop Barron is and has inspired many to the Catholic Church. And there will be many more. Hip hip hooray 🙏
I knew an elderly woman who died a few years ago. She told me that in the 1960s, she planned to become a nun. But then, they tossed away all the best Catholic traditions, and she decided she couldn't give her entire being to a lukewarm church.
She became a college professor instead and enjoyed that life. But she was a wonderful, devout woman, so a big opportunity was missed.
I think a lot of people -- men and women -- likely have given up thoughts of pursuing religious life for the same reasons that my friend did. The Catholic Church will always be a huge part of my life -- where else do we find the Eucharist? But the more it moves away from its roots and traditions -- yes, including Latin -- the more watered down it becomes.
No one has ever been able to explain the reason for wanting the Latin mass. Latin was the language of the common people in its day. We now have our own common language in each country. If I go to mass in another country and I don’t know the language what’s the point of being there to listen because I won’t understand anything. It’s the same with the Latin mass. Do you want kids to attend mass then you need to be able to speak to them in their own language. Otherwise they sit in the pew and hear gibberish and go away wanting.
@@mrss4328 " Otherwise they sit in the pew and hear gibberish and go away wanting." Well, unfortunately, that's what they've been doing in the 50 years since the church went to the vernacular -- going away wanting, never to return. I grew up without Latin. Now that I'm immersed in it, I feel the power of addressing God in a language that does not have a bunch of everyday domestic associations. Remember, for hundreds of years, Catholics from all over the world shared a common language in their worship. That united all Catholics. Now, that's gone. But my larger point is beyond Latin. It is a criticism of how the church has de-emphasized the traditions that make it unique. The more I have turned back to those traditions, the deeper my faith has become. The more our parish emphasizes these traditions, the more attendance at Mass swells. I think if you try it -- as strange and uncomfortable as it might feel at first -- you might be surprised at how much closer it brings you to Christ.
Praise the Lord
Listen to Doc Petersen. Since Vatican II the call of the church for people
To adhere to Church teaching has been dumbed down. When your require less, you get less. Need to call for better liturgies and REIGN IN BAD PRIESTS who don’t do the liturgy correctly. Allow more TLM masses for Churches who want it. In fact it should be required that ALL priests learn it and to give one mass on each Sunday for it at least twice per month. You get higher standards from people when you ask Fr. Baron
It feels great to start my day attending the first novena mass before Christmas with my wife and then listening to Bishop Barron's talk.
Make the Mass reverant again, especially belief in the REAL PRESENCE OF CHRIST…like the TLM, and perhaps interest will increase.
Thank you Jesus
We could bring back Ember Days throughout the liturgical calendar, and switching to communion on the tongue.
ICKSP and FSSP are at capacity, I wonder why
Always I so enjoy and learn from the Word on fire 🔥 I attended early morning mass this morning. The Basilica was blanketed in a fresh snow fall, so beautiful.. I am so lucky to attend the National Shrine of Mary help of Christians at Holy hill Wisconsin. I pray for those to hear and answer the call..Peaceful warriors of Jesus Christ. I missed the calling many year ago. Father Bishop Barren I am happy to see you are now in Rochester. Though the winters there can be harsh. I am a patient of Mayo Clinic. A few surgeries there. Excellent care there. While in recovery I would watch the Mayo clinic TV channel. I can't remember her name. But a Sister from the clinic would interview different Mayo Clinic employees Doctors, Nurses. Very interesting and inspiring interviews. Sister would ask them what lead them into the medical field. In my humble opinion I believe it is a calling for these people...Maybe not unlike the calling for the Priest hood? Just my thoughts. God bless you Father and have a wonderful day tomorrow..
I don't think the main problem is that people wouldn't see the role of priest as an attractive career path. To me the major problem is the generally low, and falling, birth rate. The last statistics I found from 2022 showed that the average Catholic woman has 1.8 children in her lifetime, whereas she would have given birth to slightly over 6 children in the 1950's (the peak). If you're the only son, or even the only child, that your parents have, they might become very sad to know that no-one will carry on the family name or there won't be any grandchildren at all. I think this has moved many warm hearted young men who would make great priests not to pursue this avenue and instead to work on finding a spouse just to carry on the family legacy.
This is so true for me, I have often thought about the priesthood but the simple truth is that if I do that my family dies out as I am the only male child with our surname.
The scripture says, “The strength of the wicked is being cut off, and the power of the Godly is being increased.” Everything that’s trying to stop you, you need to see that power as being cut off. It may be hindering you now, but it’s only temporary. It’s not going to last. It has lost its source. Every day, it’s withering; every day, it’s getting weaker. On the outside, it may look the same, but on the inside, it’s drying up.
My experience with parishes who only say the Novus Ordo Missae has been consistently mediocre or worse. Men and boys instinctually are drawn to excellence and reject mediocrity. The Catholic Church has a 50+ year track record of the enforced mediocrity of the reforms of Vatican II (really difficult to be excellent when all the hard stuff is dumbed down or removed). Catholicism was hard because it had well-reasoned standards, now the standards are so easy as to be pointless (or do we not dare hope that all are saved). Perhaps that is why men and boys don't come to Mass. Perhaps that is why young men don't enter seminary. There's nothing obvious to strive for other than the vanilla mediocrity of a Catholicism whose standards are so low as to be virtually indistinguishable from some forms of Protestantism.
The real vocation problem we’re facing today is marriage, not the devout life.
I think both need help!
True, priests come from somewhere. Hard to build on ground with no foundation.
Both need help, but the Priesthood in the American Church is limping, relying on priests from Asia and Africa to keep things running smoothly. If those priests returned to their home countries tomorrow, the American Chruch would effectively be shut down.
@@FourEyedFrenchman hard to gain motivation to become a priest when half the families are broken homes with the adults missing masses for work to make ends meet. I understand your sentiment but in my opinion the priest shortage is a symptom of a much larger problem. The destruction of the family.
I often hear people saying that the decline of vocations has been because of something or another going on in the church, just no one can agree exactly on what it is. If that's the case, when we pray for God to inspire more men and women to religious vocation, we ought to be prepared for the Holy Spirit to change our lives first.
Indeed!
Encourage vocations by promoting young people to ask questions concerning the faith and mentor them in ministries of their interest. Have a retreat weekend to this goal.
Then have the mentors walk with them on this path. Have them go to spiritual direction once a month guide them in the process.
I think the answer to "more priests" is the same answer to more people in the pews. The solution was in the book of Jonathon and made specific in the Fatima apparitions. The answer to these problems may be for the Church to "come out of the cisterns" and lead the prayers requested at Fatima. It would be an easy experiment to do in a diocese. Lead the prayers and measure an effect.
After seeing priests in Africa in Twitter, we need to have men willing to answer God's call to be soldiers, not of vain glory, but of God's glory. Willing to conquer spirits for Him!
Which means going out and buying food for the poor and going out to their camps. Which means helping a parishioner with no sons to farm. You get the idea - get out there and work in the trenches! And be willing to sing praise while doing that work!
Please pray for me as I discern my vocation.
Ultimately its God who calls and we just respond.
I don’t feel called to the priesthood. But if I did, I would not go the diocesan route because:
1. I would want to celebrate both the Novus Ordo and the TLM, but I would longer have the right to do that
2. I could not mentally handle being assigned to a parish with a poor liturgy where I am forced to comply with liturgical abuse because my pastor and/congregation are unwilling to change their ways
After TC, I suspect that many called to the priesthood may end up going the ICKSP or FSSP
I'm discerning diocesan because that's where we need good priest the most. Evil people are good at subverting good institutions, but good people usually fail to take back what evil corrupted. I took this under the advice of a very traditional TLM priest.
@Sneed I don't know why you think that I think that way. I know I might never be able to celebrate the TLM, I know I will not be able to be as traditional as I want, and I know that I will have susans, boomers, and general modernists to contend with. My thinking is that I want to serve the people of God, and be a part of the reform of his church. I want to evangelize to the heretics and modernists. Not all are called to what I feel called to, and fine, but for me, diocesan life is my path to holiness, and the fulfillment of my spiritual gifts.
@Sneed when a new priest is appointed to a parish, all the parish councils are vacated for you. This gives the new priest the ability to appoint people he likes. Or even still, to leave them permanently vacant.
@@vasilias2230 spot on.
Normally, a newly ordained priest serves as a vicar for a year or so before being assigned to his own parish.
Great video
Catholic Leadership Institute recently surveyed the faithful in the Diocese of Cleveland and found something like 80% or 85% of priests remembered being invited to consider priesthood by another priest or family or friend. Astonishingly, the same survey found that only 15% of the faithful had ever ventured to ask someone to consider priesthood or religious life. Cleveland is doing okay with vocations, but if you could double or triple that 15% to 30% or 45% we could be well on the way to doubling our seminarians.
Don’t take this the wrong way but.
I wanted to be a priest in high school.
All I ever heard was
“You have to be a straight A student
Because Latin is hard.
And you have to be rich, because college is expensive.”
So I gave up.
In the eastern church it’s quite common for the son of a priest to join the clergy to the point where last names like Khory (priest) are common predominantly eastern rite countries
Male only altar servers is a place to start.
I put three candles for the little flower(Saint Therese ) in church today(in France), but not smoking i bear no matches, in an empty church, where people have given up hiding them somewhere, for too often found by kids... and every year several churches go up in no spiritual flames. So i left them, and maybe Therese will enlighten some boys instead. It will be difficult though because the Vatican has recently closed the only really productif seminary. Maybe they should have been more subtle. Maybe our bishops should also restaure real cathechism. How enlighten someone who has hardly any knowledge. There is si much work to do and often against the ideas of the clergy...
☃️🤣💗❄️🥲🍝☕🌮🍳🍞🍿🍇😍💘💌🍼✨🍟🍩🔥🌭💐👑😜🥰🥴🤗😘😋🥳🤭😝😉😇👼and i admire Every Priests since 2010 cause they recognize me surrender to Godself this time. And i LOVE they as grandparents SO if they're young
From the book " To Save a Thousand of Souls by fr Brett Brannen Our Primary Vocation is Holiness Happiness is doing the will of God. Interestingly, that could also be the definition of holiness. The primary and universal vocation of every person in the world is to be holy-to become like Jesus Christ. Christ-likeness is the only success recognized by God. Or, as 11 Interestingly, the people who take holiness seriously are also the people who experience the most happiness here in this life. Why? Because our holiness is preparing us for the supreme happiness of heaven, the true destiny for which we were made, not some glimmer of happiness which we might experience here. Holiness directly leads to fulfillment and human flourishing, and the entire concept of vocation encompasses both. The first vocation of every baptized person is to become a saint.
I find the best Priests have lived life before becoming a Priest. I don't think the sheltered homeschooling in nothing but strict Catholic homes is going to help too many people. Life is messy and the maturity of a Priest who has been exposed to the kind of people they are trying to reach is very important. Unfortunately the average Catholic family is not usually teaching their young boys and girls to discern vocations with God. That said a Priest HAS to be a Priest because it is truly His call from God. The church has reaped what has been sown when young men enter religious life who should not. I am grateful for all our good God loving God fearing Priests from all backgrounds
Catholic homeschooling creates exposure to religious vocations:)
I agree. Homeschooling in nothing but strict Catholic rules isn't going to help anyone, particularly in the long run. Yes, it is important to have families live Catholic lives and raise their kids in the faith. But I am fearful that this fundamentalist Catholic approach will have the same results that fundamentalist Christian raising of children has had in the US and Canada, that is many of the children leaving the faith as adults.
This is a slippery slope. Catholic homeschooling can be good but the family needs to take care to instill joy and good natured fun into the education so that the person can be warm hearted.
When I go to the traditional Latin mass, there are always lots of altar boys. When I go to the mainstream Novus ordo, there are zero to just a few. When I speak to priests in the traditional orders, they tell me their vocations are strong. When I look at the numbers in the mainstream Novus ordo, their numbers are sad. Maybe we should be learning from the TLM and more traditional orders. They seem to be doing something right.
I have been discerning for some time already. There is this strong sense I'm being called to religious life. However, many things come in between. Currently, my dad might be deported to Mexico. Some year's ago he got held back from immigration. Luckily they let him go with the permission to work,and being watched. His last court is coming and the lawyer won’t give him much chance. Is a very difficult situation and expensive. I was having the strength to take courage and start looking more seriously where GOD might be calling me. Next month I was going to some come and sees but now idk 😔
Many things come in my mind. How would my mom and brother that is still a minor make it? What would we do? What would I do??
@@katmorales9447 I believe your vocation is to your mom and siblings until such immigration issues are resolved. I had to care for my terminally ill mother until she died before I could take the next step.
Perhaps there might be candidates to be found in either recently separated, or those currently separating from the Military. Most of them have money to pay for the required college through the GI Bill.
true
@@russellmiles2861 I never implied that the military prepares anyone for being ordained. I just stated that there may be Veterans who may be interested in looking into priest hood.
@@russellmiles2861 For the most part, initial enlisted contracts into the military are four to six years. Assuming the service time starts after high school graduation the applicant should be able to transition out of the military around their 24th Birthday. The applicant may qualify for a very generous GI Bill, enlistment bonus, and student loan repayment. Along the course of the applicants service, they will receive discipline. They will also learn about team work, cooperation, and leadership. These appear to be similar to the skills that you describe.
So can you become a priest at any age? I feel like I've missed my calling.
try the Eudist or Diocesan
I would LOVE to guide my grandson Bryson toward the priesthood. His father left him at 6 months, so he might gravitate to his REAL father like no priest before. Please pray for us. 🙏🏻 He's 8 now, going on 18. 😊
Will do.
Let him study nursing, physical therapy, radiologic technology, respiratory therapy, pharmacy, laboratory science, occupational therapy, nutrition, dentistry, optometry, medicine and teach him the life of St. Camillus De Lellis,
And was My childhood time with real Kids all we LOVE to help dance and LOVE all make they happy little
Bishop, I had a Counselor tell me to follow the path. I regret that I did not listen.
Please Bring back reverence. Bring back fasting. Bring back beauty. Bring back the sacrificial aspect of the priesthood. Bring back preaching in the true Apostolic tradition.
allow people from other countries and nationalities to join, make it not only about theology but also open it up for science careers, arts careers and other professionals. the church should reclaim its place at the centerpiece of science and patron of arts. it has always been more than just praying
Many religious orders already do this. I am thinking primarily of the Jesuits and Dominicans. Ten years ago helping out in our parish Rectory I came across the alumni magazine for a Jesuit School in Louisiana and a similar publication for our local (Oakland, CA) priory/Dominican school and read the amazing bios of the young men in study/formation who had amazing backgrounds or careers in physic, chemical engineers, petroleum engineers, genetics who have entered. One of my favorite priests had a background in musical theater, and on the "happy priest" recommendation of Bishop Barron, my friend participates in summer stock theater productions. Also, I think we lay people have to not look upon religious vocations or the ordained clergy as "anybody but my child" kind of life.
Augustinians has always been men of science and history, Camillians the medical arts and life sciences
The church has way too many requirements for the priesthood. I’m not talking about celibacy, etc. I am talking about the schooling. Like 10 years of college??? I had and still have a vocation but was told that I was not academically inclined. Since then, I am a published author.
Fr Brett Brannen #
Seek and You will Find… and Flourish The discernment of your correct God-predetermined vocation is the most important decision that you will make in your entire life. It may seem easier or less frightening to make your own plans or to decide your own vocation. But the truth is that the most peaceful place in the world for you is in the perfect will of God. To get there involves a diligent search. Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-12). No one can force you to search for your vocation. It must be your free decision to search, to discover, and to respond. If you choose to search, I promise you that you will find your particular vocation, though it may not be easy. If you choose not to search, you are not likely to find it. I believe one of the problems in the Church today is that many people are in the wrong vocation. Many people have grown up unaware that they have a vocation, much less that they should be asking God to reveal it to them. And there are many unhappy, unfulfilled, dissatisfied people. As a general rule, people flourish in their correct vocation! Flourishing does not just mean they are happy. It means they are steadily growing in holiness, they are fulfilled, and they are becoming the person God wants them to be. Fr. Brian Bashista, vocation director of the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia, underscores that vocation is less about personal choice and more about discovery. A vocation is not so much a choice as it is an invitation and response. A person offers himself or herself to the other. Vocations are always ‘other-directed.’ They are about love. Love is not so much chosen; it is discovered and then responded to. Even in marriage, a man does not really choose his wife or vice versa. He extends an invitation to her to enter into this vocation and she responds. Every vocation takes two yeses. As you seek to say yes to God and to discover the vocation in which God wants you to flourish, I recommend this prayer to you. Say it every day, more than once. Dear God, I want to want what you want. Even if I don’t want it right now; Even if I am afraid right now, I want to want it. Help me to want to be what you want me to be. Amen.
Gonna need another pope Benedict for this. Pope Francis’s vocation numbers are like Les Miles’s championships. He was working with his predecessor’s capital. Once that was spent, we saw his capital.
Where i share My life with much kids
It is not the only reason, of course, but it cannot be discounted:
I have heard nothing but unrelenting nastiness and criticism from the Pope toward priests for 9 years. Even if perhaps he has been radically misunderstood, and he is meaning to encourage the brethren, quite a few priests and perhaps bishops too have embraced what they think is his outlook and have been utter terrors to their peers or brothers in ministry.
It's definitely taken a big toll on my morale, and I am unsure whether I would have had the emotional stamina to make it through seminary were I a young man now, vulnerable to the whims and potential caprice of formators.
I do think taking the hunger of the young for authentic tradition and clear articulation of unchanging and unchangeable truth in perfect continuity seriously is important as well, indeed indispensable and not a thing to be feared (young folks want the full glory of the Faith here and now, not a fantasy of some golden era 100 years ago as some fear or claim), but even that is not a magic bullet per se. Rather, we need to foster, embrace, and form the men God gives us as themselves, rather than forcing them into an arbitrary mold of what we wish they were for ideological or other reasons apart from the Gospel.
I guess your idea of unchanging and unchangeable truths can only be expressed in propositions. Propositions, however, aren't living realities that are subject to change. A faith that is solely based on assenting to immutable truths is nothing but sterile faith. The Pope you're referring to doesn't necessarily engage in abstract theological musings but he is primarily a pastor whose vocation is to shepherd his sheep and he does that by addressing them, not with high-sounding words, but with simple words.
Sure i only dance or sing cause inside of me the Saint Holy Spirit is pulling me or kicking me to do it for LOVE cause can't be me if not all LOVE that Saint Holy Spirit gives me to share to all cause we was called ever first for Godself if He doesn't call us we can't go to follow him for do nothing. SO thanks You God and Bishop Barrón cause if Godself doesn't call us everyone we can't be or do where or what He wanted for help all
We need to start with properly catechizing the kids and return our reverence....altar rails anyone?
Wasn't it? St. Polycarp became a priest at 70 and martyred at 80?
Why just double?
Lots of discouragement in these comments. So, bishop here are the reasons people aren’t coming at the rate that is needed. The comments here illustrate how people respond to vocation. I was also discouraged in my vocation by the laity and by corrupt women religious who wanted to be priests. I wanted to serve the Church and participate with prayerful support of the bishop and priests and the laity they serve. I was told that this was wrong and that the only way to serve was to join the feminist agenda. I couldn’t do it. I prayed very deeply with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament I did what was asked of me while walking with the communion of Saints. I ran into the LCWR well.....they have the politicians...... There is so much I could tell you bishop. I walk with St. Anthony of Padua.... hammer of heretics.
SO Every vocation singers or actors or others much is a call from God too entertainment too. Cause i'm not professional in nothing. But Godself ever found me a way
We could allow married men to become priests. That would increase vocations. After all.. Peter.. our first Pope was married.
I have lots of health and psychological.. problems. But I'm really good at thinking outside the box and repurposing things. Is there anything I could do to help the church? I don't feel very useful.
Contact your local parish and see if there is a ministry or other way you can provide assistance. There are always things, large and small, that need doing. God bless you!
The Telegram is a fake account and a scam.
pray the Rosary to increase vocations for the Diocesans and the Dominican family, the Corona of Our Lady of Consolation for the Augustinian family, Chaplet of Divine Mercy for the Jesuit, SVD, CSC, Resurrectionists, Redemptorists, Salvatorians, Stigmatines, Rogationists, Fathers of Mercy, MSC fathers, Mercedarian Family, Friday fasting for the Passionists and Minims, Crosiers, Dehonians, Legionaries of Christ, chaplet of the Holy Spirit for the Holy Spirit fathers, Spiritans, Oratorians, Pallotines, Trisagion for the Trinitarians, Trinity Missions, SOLT, Hospitallers, Blessed Sacrament Adoration for the Blessed Sacrament Family,
Priests grow on trees--family trees.
Very true, Families !!!!! and empowerment of women, is killing families , and i see this consuming Evil not stopping soon , its happening world wide !!!!! , here in Africa too...….very bad. are my the only one seeing this ? can boys from illicit union , single parent homes, i mean are 90% world wide ….really be candidates for priesthood ? no i don't think so..
@@samuelagwotu5074 Of course they can. Jesus's death and resurrection show that our God can make much good from great evil.
Cameron O’hearn beat you to this pitch…😂
The discouragement of the Marian role really wounded religious life and spiritual motherhood for women.
😇😇😇
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏
Most of these suggestions in the comments are stupid.
yeah lol
The most important thing necessary to encourage vocations is allowing marriage for priests and nuns. There is no way they can understand the pressures of family life, especially when it goes awry, if they are not living it themselves. Present nuns may also benefit from marriage, but it doesn’t have to be mandated, just allowed.
What about allowing married men to the priesthood? I'm married, but I'd be there with bells on if I could.
Unfortunately, I'm 46 years old and I don't think the Church will have anything to do with me. I can't imagine that I would be allowed in any vocation.
Too much evil and deception, even within the church body to confidently pick a path
If anyone is perfect as to be without sin then there is no need for church and the sacraments. Stop looking at other peoples faults and sins and look inward so you’ll realize that taming the passions is a tall order and pretty dang hard. K.
I'm going to disagree partially with the good Bishops analysis and approach. I get approached all the time with the priest pitch, and it feels like its just because I'm one of the few non-married guys in the pews. If you get more guys in the pews, then more priests will follow. Focus on making men of character who follow the Church on marriage rules too. We have an isolation approach to the issue priest issue that isn't working. The focus on how his father impacted his decision hits the nail on the head.
If you want to add vocations.
-Repeal Vatican 2.
-Hold an Inquisition to purge corrupted hierarchy.
- Promote pious men rather than ambitious men seeking that which the devil tempted Christ.
Would you submit to the inquisition first?
Allow ALL priests to be married... not just the Eastern Rite, or Anglican pastors who convert to the Catholic faith.
We don’t want to get married.
@@mattmackinnan8557 If Catholic means universal.. and the Eastern Catholic rite has married priests, and anglican pastors who are married convert into Roman Catholic priests... then you cannot speak for everyone because there are already married priests in the Catholic church. How can the Catholic church claim to be "universal" if it isn't? There is no reason not to allow the option as it is a human custom.
@@hillarymary The Catholicity of The Church doesn’t not mean it’s traditions and disciplines have to be uniform.
@@mattmackinnan8557 Who cares if you want to get married or not. Maybe it would be pleasing to God if there were more married priests. There are a lot of instances in the bible where people do things they didn't want to do.
@@mattmackinnan8557 Tomorrow's readings talk about Zechariah... a married priest who went on to have a son (John the baptist).. and it was a miracle because of their old age.
Romans 3:24 (KJV) Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Being justified freely by his __________?
It is quite simple, allow priests ,nuns, and brothers to be married.
“there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven”
Disagree. Celibacy should stay
@@skylergroen "This is why you fail."
@Sneed I am absolutely for retaining clerical celibacy as the norm in the West. However, the Eastern Churches figure out the proper balance, as do the few (legitimately) non-celibate Roman priests. I don't think this is the argument to rest the practice on.
@sneed3529 Well considering the dire lack of priests that sure is a shock, lol. Somehow all the other faiths have "the time". This is why the church is dying.
@@dakotaescher1 dumb comment. Show me where in the eastern rite that priestly vocations have gone up. Also look at the orthodox. The problem is not celibacy, but unchastity. Notice how religious vocations went down after the sexual revolution.
Bishop it's time to revisit celibacy. Really. Thank you.
“there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven”
Celibacy should stay!
celibacy is a strength.. this world is all about weaknesses and instant, self-gratifications... That doesn't sound like Jesus to me at all...
I will stick with celibacy for My God, Savior and Creator - 🌹📿🙏✝🙋♀
No, it's not
No
Hi Matthew. I know a married Priest. He was a married, ordained Anglican minister who converted and, through arrangements made by Benedict XVI, he was able to convert and be a Priest. While he loves his wife (that's obvious) he has told me point blank that he sees the wisdom of a celibate priesthood. He staunchly supports this Catholic rule.