www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Why would you become a priest?

Dear Friends,

If you ever had thoughts about becoming a priest, I was wondering what your unique contribution to the life of the Church would be.

Why would you want to become a priest? Have you even dreamed about it?

What difference would you make as such?

Alex

Slava Jesu Kristu,

I have often wondered about becoming a monk. I think I would be happy in a non-ordained state praying for the world. What a joy...

DMitri

Alex,

I have seriously thought about it relatively recently...until I met my girlfriend who, as I've said before, I'm convinced is a gift from God. However, on more than one occasion, she has asked me, "Why are you with me and not in a seminary somewhere?". It seems that when I start expounding on certain articles of faith, all she can see me in is clerical vestments, standing at a pulpit, and going on and on and on. And I keep telling her that if something ever happened where we couldn't be together, I most assuredly would try to enter seminary.

Or I could just wait until our American Byzantine churches start ordaining married men.

As for what contribution I would make, I have always been told that I excel at being a terrific listener. I'm sure that's true becuase, being the baby of the family, no one ever listened to me when I tried to say something so I just learned to shut up and listen to everyone else, and then finally saying something at the end which made me look like a genius :p . At any rate, when thinking of the priesthood, I've always seen myself as one of those priests who always has time for Confession and really would never turn anyone away who came to me seeking sacramental absolution. In today's day and age, the act of just getting to the church itself to go to Confession is a great step and I would never want to be the one who turns someone away.

In Christ,
mikey.

Well I have thought about it. You know I really love our Liturgy and celebrations and I really love people even though they are hard to deal with. In reality you have to contribute your whole self, but talking about unique contributions than we are talking about the talents and gifts that God gave to each one of us. Some people say that I'm a good singer (baritone/bass) and pretty good choir conductor.I love to sing in church and I like to teach people to sing. Some people really feel happy and important when I tell them that they could join the choir,(even if they don't have a voice, I accept them, I'm just not able to turn people down) I guess that's why my choir will always be the same without much progress, but we're a family. If I ever become a priest I think I would have to control my Ukie Nationalist side as well. I know for sure that I would always try to persuade people to love and understand one another. I would also strongly promote dialog between the Holy Orthodox and Catholic Churches. There's really a lot of work to be done.
Lauro

Dear Orthodox Catholic,

This is an easy one for me. It is something I have preached since I came back to the Church and as it is now - before I left.

+ Above all else, do what is good, support what is good for the Church. This above ones own personal likes and dislikes. The good of the Church must come first.

++ Not to loose even one. And this is the one that would put me in my grave early, because I just know it would raise my blood preasure - the responsibilty is beyond my capability. But as it is, not one human being am I to loose - not soldier, rich, poor, educated, good looking, facial scared, no one am I to loose not even the cross dresser or drug addicted transsexual.

However, I have not had any intrest in being a Priest. Infact I respect the Priesthood to much to tarnish it with my presence And I mean that literaly not just trying to play the humble guy. But the clergy are my favorite Christians. I have a great affection for them. Who else could forgive the likes of me. Not a normal man certainly. Anyways I have for a long time been attracted to the monastics - and in many ways they are like the Green Berets of the Church. I don't however like all trends I see in monasticism.

But so those two at the top marked by the crosses, are the only solid contributions I have confidence I could ever bring to the Priesthood. Primarily because they are beliefs so close to my heart.

Justin

Sure, I've given it lots of though. That's about all I can do as a married man. I simply trust that if God wills it, He will open the door to making it happen. As for my contributions to the priesthood, only God truly knows. I can only say that since I was a child I felt a draw, a magnitism toward the altar. I felt that I would never be complete unless I was so very close to God in that intimate way while at the same time being so far away from him because of having the responsibilities of putting myself second or even last amongst the people I might be spiritually responsible for. Yet, even in thinking of that, I feel a sense of completeness. Perhaps this is why I went into the field of psychotherapy. I believe that true healing however, can only be accomplished through and with the Physician and Healer of souls. Secular psychology is limited in it's ability to use this. It is the price I pay today for dicerning that God was calling me first to be a married person; a husband and father. However, it is these qualities too that would enrich the ministry of priesthood. So, I imagine that what I have to offer is somehow embedded in the person I am, I have become and God willing will become.

In peace.

Being called to the priesthood is not some magical thing like a voice in the night. As a kid and an adolescent, I too felt the call but it was "realized" in the very real sense of NEEDING to help folks out. The primary focus must be "service" to God's people. Whenever you encounter a person, especially one who is having a rough time, your innnermost soul drives you to ask: "what can I do", "how can I help". And, unlike the social worker, your impetus is the command of God to "love God and love your neighbor". It's not social "do-good-ism", but rather a real empathy for the sufferings of others and the simultaneous realization that God demands that I do something to help them.

The primary problem for me in deciding whether or not to ask for ordination is the structure of the Church as "institution" where one is constantly called upon to play the "Mother May I" game. One may intuit what needs to be done to help a Christian soul, and one may be ready, willing and able to lay down one's life for one's neighbor, but it appears that one has first to get permission from the mucky-mucks to do so. While I appreciate the need for "order" in the Church, I'm not quite sure that the charism and graces given to a priest need to be subordinated to a structure that holds the decision-making authority when it is more "structure" oriented than people oriented. I.e., the priest knows what needs to be done perforce of his constant dealings with the individual Christian souls, but the priest's hands are tied because the structure of the ecclesial system demands that somehting else be done.

This is crazy-making.

Blessings!

I am not sure how much the western concept of vocation is any part of genuine Byzantine teaching and spirituality.

The stress here seems to be ont he individul and self-perception of vocation. What about the Byzantine idea that it very often the laos - the people of God who discern the qualities and attributes that make a man suitable for an ordained ministry - that the community may recognise the vocation. God may make this known through someone else - a confessor, an elder or the congregation.

At the ordination to the priesthood it is the congregation which assents to the ordination with the word AXIOS - worthy, not the ordinand. Admittedly, none of us could ever say this, because the only one worthy of priesthood is Christ. However, it places priesthood firmly within the context of the worshipping community. If there is no need for a priest, then one isn't ordained.

With love in Christ,
Mark monk and sinner.

Fr. Mark hits on something very important. In the “Olden Days” whenever the community saw an individual who seemed to have all the qualifications to be a priest or monastic the community would make every attempt to direct his steps accordingly. I think that this is something we need to get back to. We frequently ask our people to pray for vocations. We should also ask them to start identifying appropriate candidates and encouraging these men to consider the priestly or monastic life.

Yes, but then what. If someone or some people have approached another about Holy Orders, what other kinds of encouragement should they pursue? How was this done in the "old days"?

Dmitri

Please don't get scandalized and I am not trying to stir controversy but I have often thought of becoming a priest. I was first attacted to the priesthood as a young child. I loved the vestiments, the singing, the incense. I was thrilled that a priest was a representative on Christ on earth. When a priest heard confessions, it was Jesus speaking through him. The priest welcomed new infants into the community of the church. Comforted those in pain and suffering. A Priest was there when someone need a shoulder to cry on. A priest helped a person see Christ in their suffering. Yes it was a lonely life at times. Without a family the priest would be alone and not have anyone to comfort the priest. If the Lord gave the priest a long life, who would comfort the priest in old age, be a companion, look after the priest. It would be a sad and lonely life. But I was still drawn felt I was called. I could show people the love of our Lord.

But it is not meant to be. Why? You see I am a female.

Some would say why not become a Nun. Well, in grammar school, were not allowed to be altar boys but we were allowed to clean up the altar boy dressing room. I could go on. But there were other examples that made this option unappealling.

So I now try to be the best I can be. Try to be a loyal follower of our Lord Jesus Christ and by by actions draw people to Jesus.

I am not trying to stir controversy but just say there are women who are drawn to the priesthood.
I am not saying I would have been a good priest or even a priest. All I am saying I did fantasize about it.

Lucky for me they don't allow female priest, I can't sing.

I am going to become a priest, a Byzantine Catholic, in the Roman Catholic Capuchin Fransicans, in Greece or Italy. When i graduate HS. (By Gods' Will)

From: Daniel
In The Holy+Theotokos

Dan!

Stay in Italy, please!!!! Work with the Italo-Albanians.

Brian

Dear Friends,

I think we see ourselves in what everyone has posted here.

What Fr. Mark and the Administrator have said about being encouraged by the community is something I continue to experience - and continue to say, "Forget about it!"

When people need more than this to leave me alone, I try to sing something liturgical . . .

Alex

It has been said that many of our Byzantine Catholic - Ruthenian - Churches do not yet have the full cycle of service, i.e., Matins/Orthos or Vespers BECAUSE THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH PRIESTS!
Yes, we need more priests and we need holy priests and apparently a number of you are married. So I would like to encourage everyone of you (except the women) to seriously pray about and think about serving as a priest and to also do something specific -- talk to someone at a seminary and find out: WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO/STUDY TO BE ORDAINED A PRIEST IN YOUR SPECIFIC CHURCH? HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

Please consider this a personal invitation to seriously consider that Our Lord wants you to be a priest. Single or married -- think about it and try to do something between now and this Sunday.

I will pray for all of you.

And also -- both men and women, please do consider monastic life. Our Holy Father has asked the Eastern Catholic Churches to restore/re-establish/resurrect traditional monastic life. Note: Monastics are under their bishop. Pray, read, talk to your/our bishops and/or the bishop's representatives. Please do so. We need you.

Our Churches need holy priests, holy monks, holy nuns.

I will pray for all of you. May God touch your hearts in a special way this weekend!

:p
P.S. The answer to your question is: I am a monastic beginner. Thank you for asking! :p