What men need.
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Priests do not so much need spiritual mothers, as they all have the perfect Mother in Our Lady Mary, Mother of Christ, Queen of the Clergy. While a devotion consisting of spiritual motherhood for priests may be efficacious, what priests most need are strong, manly fathers and brothers; most especially they need solid, strong, supportive, manly Bishops. (And the prayers of the faithful of course.)
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Normally, one mother is more than enough for a guy - just ask St. Augustine. ;)
Terry, behind every successful man is a good woman. Behind every holy priest is a HOST of GREAT women!
ReplyDeleteBut yes, they need strong Fathers (Bishops) and brothers (other priests and layment) too.
Dead on target Terry! Unfortunately, all too many bishops try to be brothers, or worse managers, to their priests.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Terry..
ReplyDeleteSince we're in constant spiritual battle, and priests even more so, IMHO the priests need strong corporals and captains (Bishops) to rally behind - and a strong General (the Pope) too - they don't need some wimpy pacifist to bandage their skinned knees and coo in their ears. They need men to tell 'em to rub some dirt on the cut, suck it up and get back out there to fight the good fight.
ReplyDeleteIf you notice, St Paul's letters mention very little, if anything, about hugs and kisses. He said to put on the armor of God and carry a sword - not carry a 'Peace' banner and ask everyone to 'Just get along'.
Who'd you rather follow into battle? A priest like Fr Corapi or one modeled after Dr Phil?
Larry - you said it better than I did - thanks - that is exactly what I meant.
ReplyDeletewell ... this one made me weep inside
ReplyDelete"Who'd you rather follow into battle? A priest like Fr Corapi or one modeled after Dr Phil?"
ReplyDeleteLarry -- that sez it all. Thank you!
I would add that part of the job of fathers (and corporals and captains) is to discipline when necessary. Many bishops would like to avoid this unpleasant task, leaving it in the hands of the chancery bureaucracy. Even if one has a legitimate complaint, just see how far you won't get....
What Adoro said.
ReplyDeleteI just entered the seminary today. Please pray for my formation and that I will be allowed to be a manly priest, if you will, and not Fr. Psychobabble.
ReplyDeleteThank you and God bless you Terry,
Patrick
Patrick - I will pray for you with all of my heart. God bless you!
ReplyDeleteDitto what Terry said, Patrick!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Terry. Thank you, LarryD.
ReplyDeleteWell, I anticipate the seminary will be very interesting and enlightening in alot of ways. I will have some very solid teachers. No doubt. And thank God for it.
But then, there is the whole lunar bubble of academia that I sense is in existence, even within our seminaries.
Oh, how it wearies one. Sometimes, the inmates are running the ward.
I have the protection of our Lady and the prayers of many Faithful behind me and I hope, behind many good men who strive to follow God's Holy Church without compromise.
But, I say it again, it really is something. All of the 'diversity'...we are like a shattered vase on the floor sometimes. And it hurts.
Patrick