A third way
For myself and many young men discerning a call to the parish priesthood there have been basically two distinct paths: the diocesan priesthood or a religious order. Following the diocesan path usually takes the route of parish work, at first as a parochial vicar, but within a few years as pastor of your very own parish. Unless you manage to make good impression on your bishop you face the life of a hermit on a pillar, alone in a very real sense.
On the other hand, if you take the religious path there are many branchings to different orders, and from there many branchings to specific ministries. Only in a few orders is there any measure of certainty in coming to parish life. The majority of these however, are particularly traditionalist communities.
I start this blog with some personal urgency, as my 25th birthday approaches, bringing with it the first of cut-off dates for entering a religious order. (Call it a third-life crisis.) However, I also believe that my proposal here can reach toward lending stability for priests and the people they serve in an age of priest shortages, parish closings, and the seven-year switch.
Is it possible? Is it possible to “beat the system”, to serve a parish in community with fellow priests? Yes, in the aforementioned traditionalist orders and perhaps Lincoln, but for those of us who feel called to stand in the gap (Ezekiel 22:30) in the average parish where it grows ever wider?
I propose that a religious order could be formed in practically any US diocese with the sole purpose of serving in parishes, guided by the evangelical counsels in rebuilding parish life. Such an order would have the bishop as its titular head, with certain rights and obligations enjoined upon the order in the constitutions.
For me, at least, the hypothetical exploration of this idea has come to a point where I must branch out into practical arrangements to draw together such a community.
Tags: priesthood, tertium quid, vocations
You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.
February 2, 2008 at 7:00 am
What you describe sounds quite similar to the Oratory (St. Philip Neri). You’ve likely come across them before – they have some impressive churches in the UK.
February 2, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Actually, I’ve only really come across the name, usually associated with the UK, not much help to me in the US. Google give several within a few hours of me, thanks for the tip!
February 15, 2008 at 6:04 pm
I have had the privilege of being both a diocesean priest and a religious priest. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. It is great to be a part of community and it is great to be a parish priests. I believe there are several religious congregations that do have this as its ministry.