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Author Topic: Religious Vocation - An Unnecessary Mystery  (Read 558 times)

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Offline miserere

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Religious Vocation - An Unnecessary Mystery
« on: February 03, 2007, 08:02:29 AM »
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    • Greetings in Christ.

    I was curious if anyone on the board here has read the following book and what they thought of it?  What is written in the book kind of suprised me based on discussions I have had concerning religious vocations with various Catholic priests.  Though it is true that in my reading the writtings of the Eastern saints, they all have said that marriage was given by God by means of exception (economia), and not rule.

    Peace be with you.

    Christopher

    Religious Vocation - An Unnecessary Mystery
    By: Fr. Richard Butler OP

     
    Religious Vocation - An Unnecessary Mystery. The question of discerning a vocation is agonized over by many generous young Catholics today. A solid Thomist, who wrote this book in 1961, Father Butler shows that this type of question shows a totally wrong approach to a religious vocation - an approach that began with misguided theology in the 20th century, which then trickled down to the popular level, confusing both aspirants and spiritual directors. Though Fr. Butler deals primarily with vocations to the religious life, he also gives the classic guidelines on priestly vocations. The author states, based on the tradition of the Church, that religious vocation is not uncommon, rare or extraordinary and that it does not require an introspective search for some special voice or attraction. This book provides welcome, intelligent guidance both for spiritual directors and for those considering the religious life or that of the priesthood!
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    Offline Carolus Magnus

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    Religious Vocation - An Unnecessary Mystery
    « Reply #1 on: February 03, 2007, 09:41:20 AM »
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    • I have read it and found it an excellent guide to deciding whether you have a vocation as a religious or not, it is surprising because of the false idea's pushed today that you virtually have to have God actually appear in front of you and tell you to become a Priest in order for it to be your vocation.

    This is the cure for all the wishy washy expectations that we will experience a profond internal realisation, an epiphany if you like, if we are truly called to a religious vocation, this book shows us that this expectation is false and is only one of the ways in which we may realise what our vocation is.  A decision to pursue a vocation through the use of your reason is an equally acceptable reason.

    The book seems far more truthful and realistic in my opinion and should be widely circulated among the faithful.
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    adstiterunt reges terrae et principes convenerunt in unum adversus Dominum et adversus Christum eius diapsalma disrumpamus vincula eorum et proiciamus a nobis iugum ipsorum

    Offline cathman7

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    Religious Vocation - An Unnecessary Mystery
    « Reply #2 on: February 04, 2007, 06:34:44 PM »
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    • I would also like to recommend this book. I have read it once and it definitely gave me a clearer idea of the religious vocation. I believe too many young people agonize over a religious vocation (if they even think of one!!) because they have false notions in their head and are sadly too entrenched in the world to see the significance of the Three Evangelical Counsels.

    The call to the religious life is right there in the Gospels with the following words from Our Lord:

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    "If thou wilt be perfect , go sell what thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." (Matt. 19:21)


    While this can be applied to everyone in the world it specifically refers to a life that is set apart for the glory and worship of God. Parents would do well to foster vocations in their families not by pushing it on their children but by having a high esteem for the religious life (and for the priesthood) and most importantly by being a shining example of Christian virtue.
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