Friday, April 11, 2008

On Religious Habits and Altar Boys

"More than 20 male and female religious orders participated in an inaugural "fashion show" of religious habits at the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin.

The event’s organizer, university chaplain Father Andrzej Batorski, SJ, described the show-- which attracted the Jesuit, Capuchin, and Divine Word Fathers as well as Poor Clare nuns-- as a “little provocation” meant to draw young people closer to consecrated life.

During the event, organizers explained symbolic aspects of religious apparel."

In other related news, a recent report "noted a connection between diocesan priestly vocations and past service as altar boys. In the Katowice archdiocese, 90% of seminarians indicated that they had previously served as altar boys." Just another reason why it is so important that priests spend time mentoring and giving good solid spiritual guidance to the young men in their parish who serve as altar boys. It's also another reason why we should have the altar boys wear cassock and surplice. I know from experience that because it is virtually the same thing Father wears it invites them to think about what it would be like if they too were a priest.