www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Interesting Show: God or the Girl

Interesting Show: God or the Girl

A&E Television is running an interesting series about 4 young men who are discerning the call to the Roman Catholic priesthood. The whole premise of the program is flawed (since one can have both God and the girl in marriage in the RCC and there is no �decide by� date for those contemplating the priesthood), but the Christian witness of these four young men is refreshing. Plus, although the premise is flawed the series is very well done and presents Catholicism in a very positive light.

I would not have known about this show except that one of the participants is the son of a friend of mine (who has been to my local Byzantine parish and has previously attended the Uniontown Pilgrimage). When he told me about his son being in a �reality show on A&E called 'God or the Girl'� I cringed. I feared the worst. The show is a bit slow moving at times but the �up close and personal� aspect of the vocation discernment process seems very real, and matches closely with the process some of my friends went through (both those who are now priests and those who got married).

The first four episodes will be rebroadcast Friday night beginning at 8:00 PM ET, again at midnight and again on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 PM ET. The final episode is scheduled for 10:00 PM Sunday night.

I�d be interested in your impression of the show. The website is www.GodortheGirl.com [godorthegirl.com] .

I've seen episodes 3 and 4 and they were really very good. I'm looking forward to Friday so I can see the episodes that I missed and to Sunday to see the final decisions of these young men.

It has been refreshing to see this handled with such respect by a major cable tv channel.

I only heard about this show this weekend--good thing A&E was playing them practically non-stop on Monday and Tuesday! I really got excited when I saw that one of the guys on the show (who decided against going to seminary) was from Scranton. Go NEPA! I was pleasantly surprised to see that this series was very respectful and not really like other reality TV shows.

However, coming from an Orthodox perspective, I did feel a bit of sadness that these men are not given the option in their tradition of having God AND the girl (ordination and marriage).

Dave

I caught one episode and felt saddened about the "deadline" to make THE decision. I was also disturbed by the priest who felt disappointed with the young man who decided not to enter the Seminary. Sure he would be but he should have kept that thought to himself. The young man was already feeling guilty -- he knew he was disappointing his mentor and spiritual advisor -- he didn't need to be told. I did feel this show is exploitive, much like the one about a year ago about the Amish young people going on rumspringa (the deicsion-making period to remain with their culture or join the outside world. I didn't particular find the show supportive of the Catholic faith, but rather highlighting it's restrictiveness. But, then again, I only watched one episode.

Dearest Administrator,

Yes, I saw that on A&E - quite powerful.

When I saw the fellow carrying that cross for miles I was reminded of you!

A happy Paschal Week to you, sir!

Alex (who has just got back from Holy Thursday Divine Liturgy . . .)

I watched the first four episodes, and I was impressed. (And I'm looking forward to the final episode!) I was impressed that a show about four men discerning a call to the Catholic priesthood would even appear on TV (outside of EWTN). I was impressed that it was respectful and probative of the discernment process (more than the title "God or the Girl" would imply). I was impressed with the young men themselves; they each did a lot of growing and maturing, and they were charitable enough to share that very intimate process with the rest of the world. And, I am most impressed that something this wholesome and grace-filled is appearing at a time when more anti-Christian, anti-Catholic *filth* (the Da Vinci Code movie) is coming out. God bless A&E and all the people involved for bringing this show to TV. May it be a vehicle for encouraging more men to discover and answer the call to Christ's priesthood.

-- John

Wow ! I just watched the final episode. There were surprises, but it seemed like each of the men made the right decision for themselves and that they are happy with their decisions. I would be interested to learn what happens to the one who decided to go to the seminary. He seems happy with his call and capable and enthusiastic. Again, I was happily amazed to see such a show on TV.

-- John

I propose a show about a married Seminarians at Sts. Cyril and Methodius, the Sheptytsky Institute, St. Vladimir's, Holy Cross, or St. Tikhon's and call it "God And the Girl!"

Oh you are being optimistic

Considering the difficulties and stresses that face seminarian families, this program might be more like regular reality TV shows.

Dave

Dear Friends,

Christ is Risen!

I saw the final episode and how only one in four of the guys opted for the priesthood.

And I thought that was sad, because it seemed to me that the other fellows would have made great priests were it not for the mandatory celibacy rule in the RC Church.

The question really goes back to whether a call to the priesthood is, at the same time, a call to celibacy.

The Eastern Churches NEVER held this - a call to celibacy usually means a call to monastic life and not to active parish work.

It is sad that otherwise excellent, virile and spiritual men will not go into the priesthood because they want/need to get married.

As an EC Christian, I just don't see mandatory celibacy as a sacrifice necessary to the Priesthood. Perhaps the Latin Church can get over this in time and see how the example of married priests with families can truly benefit the Church.

Alex

More the reason for us to aggressively "market" what we have. No more "back of the bus" for Greek Catholics!

What bothered me is nobody thought to tell these young men to consider the diaconate?

I was thinking the very same thing. Especially when Joe's father was talking about how it would have been nice to have one of his sons join the clergy. I guess he forgot about the diaconate.

Of course I also kept thinking, "Go East Young Man!" when he said he felt he was called to the priesthood but not to celibacy.

I didn't see the series, nor do I plan to.

Is there a segment where the men go on "outreach" with Covenant House staff in New Jersey?

In Christ,
Andrew