Author Topic: single men (Read 4255 times)

Nadir · « **Reply #5 on:** March 27, 2014, 12:45:39 AM »

It would not be an ideal situation for a child to be raised by a single man, any more than by a single woman. It would very much depend on the man and the circuмstances. I know of a single missionary woman doctor who adopted two children, siblings one of whom was disabled.

But the way OP has expressed it

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does not feel called to the married state but want the joys of parenthood by himself for himself and for care in old age..

I would say definitely not.

Nobody has a right to parenthood especially for the stated reasons.

There are great saints who made their life work the care of abandoned children, for the Love of God, not for selfish reasons.

soulguard · « **Reply #6 on:** March 27, 2014, 06:02:03 AM »

Saint John of God could not join a religious order because he was seen as mad, so he spent himself looking after the fatherless and widows and eventually died of exhaustion.

St John of God pray for us

Nadir · « **Reply #7 on:** March 27, 2014, 06:10:45 AM »

Thanks for the reminder Soulguard.
Here's a little something:

from a letter written by Saint John of God

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If we look forward to receiving God's mercy, we can never fail to do good so long as we have the strength. For if we share with the poor, out of love for God, whatever he has given to us, we shall receive according to his promise a hundredfold in eternal happiness. What a fine profit, what a blessed reward! With outstretched arms he begs us to turn toward him, to weep for our sins, and to become the servants of love, first for ourselves, then for our neighbors. Just as water extinguishes a fire, so love wipes away sin.

So many poor people come here that I very often wonder how we can care for them all, but Jesus Christ provides all things and nourishes everyone. Many of them come to the house of God, because the city of Granada is large and very cold, especially now in winter. More than a hundred and ten are now living here, sick and healthy, servants and pilgrims. Since this house is open to everyone, it receives the sick of every type and condition: the crippled, the disabled, lepers, mutes, the insane, paralytics, those suffering from scurvy and those bearing the afflictions of old age, many children, and above all countless pilgrims and travelers, who come here, and for whom we furnish the fire, water, and salt, as well as the utensils to cook their food. And for all of this no payment is requested, yet Christ provides.

I work here on borrowed money, a prisoner for the sake of Jesus Christ. And often my debts are so pressing that I dare not go out of the house for fear of being seized by my creditors. Whenever I see so many poor brothers and neighbors of mine suffering beyond their strength and overwhelmed with so many physical or mental ills which I cannot alleviate, then I become exceedingly sorrowful; but I trust in Christ, who knows my heart. And so I say, "Woe to the man who trusts in men rather than in Christ."

soulguard · « **Reply #8 on:** March 27, 2014, 06:16:21 AM »

Thanks Nadir.

As someone who is supposed to be insane I find great affinity in St John of God who bore the same hatred from men.

Tiffany · « **Reply #9 on:** March 27, 2014, 07:44:38 AM »

You can be a spiritual father without adopting.