"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.
7 comments:
I just stumbled across your blog after reading about the "fashion show" in Lublin. I am very curious about what you wrote regarding altar boys often becoming priests. I've always considered the male altar service as a sort of vocations preparation for centuries, as many altar boys in the past received the tonsure in such a capacity. For me this is why I feel altar servers should always be boys.
Thanks for the interesting post. I have a blog called "De Profundis" if you'd be interested in linking to it. It would always be nice to have more readers...
http://deprofundisadte.blogspot.com
I think vocations are a little more complicated then playing dress up on the altar...
Fr. G, there is no doubt about that. Having discerned a vocation myself and now working as the Associate Vocation Director has taught me that, but every opportunity we have to ecourage young men to think about the priesthood is important.
I know that in my own vocation serving at the Altar was very important. It made me think very often of what it would be like to be a priest. It also provided plentiful opportunities to get to know the priest which is also very important in nurturing vocations.
Indeed, the opportunities to encourage the priesthood abound when dealing with altar boys. BUT it is also present when dealing with altar girls. After all, they will one day have children who they may or may not encourage to think about priesthood. If the altar girls see happy healthy priests then they will be more likely to encourage their boys to consider priesthood.
Wow would I love to see all the various habits available, costs, suppliers, patterns, etc. Thanks, Father.
I rejoice upon seeing at this worthwhile blog concerning the fruits of vocations. It is true indeed that the youth is the hope of our Mother Church, that is why we need to intensify the planting of the seeds of vocational fruits especially to acolytes. As for altar girls, they may not become a priest, but they can enter a relgious congregation because of the devotion brought about by the ministry of altar service. May their tribe increase!
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Viva los cleros de clerigo!
Viva las curas de nuestro parroquias!
Viva el capellan con ropa sagrada!
Viva los acolitos en sienes!
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