Abbey-Roads2

Could it be?

From what I understand about Buddhism, men may enter monasteries for a period of time, only to leave, marry and raise a family, almost as if they are performing a tour of duty in military service.  No one in their culture seems to look down upon those who do not stay.  The monks who remain in the monastery, become priests and live as  celibates for life; obviously the ones who leave do not.  (As I said, I don’t know very much about Buddhist monastic life.) 

However, it seems to me, in Roman Catholicism, the unofficial  concept of a ‘temporary vocation’ may be similar to what Buddhists practice.  I for one, entered monastic life, only to return to the lay state, as have many others I know.  Each of us have a great reverence for monastic-contemplative life, and consider the months and years spent in the monastery the furthest thing from a waste of time, rather we view it as a period of tremendous grace, a time of formation for the rest of our lives.

I was reminded of these things today after receiving an email from my friend David with an attachment, an article from Commonweal written by a former Carthusian.  I found it very interesting, and perhaps you will too.  It can be found here. 

I am intrigued and edified how some people remain monks, and others do not.  For many years I felt guilty for leaving monastic life and yet I knew it wasn’t my call.  It also amazes me that someone may stay for two decades and then leave…   I once termed that as ‘abandoning one’s vocation’… however, I think it is an unfair judgment in most cases and I now doubt it can be considered in such a way.  Having said that, what never changes for me is my belief that those who do persevere until death are very blessed indeed.

Francesco Possenti, known in the Passionists as Gabriel de l’Addolorata.

Several years ago I was at an antique show and drawn to a cabinet containing odds and ends.  I spied a theca (reliquary) containing a large sliver of bone, marked “B. Gabriel e Virg Dolorosa“.  The papers accompanying  it were yellowed with age.  I grabbed the relic, and paid about $35 for it.  The dealer had no idea as to what it was, and told me it was found amongst some jewelry at an estate sale.  I keep it in a bronze gothic reliquary, and it stands next to me now as I write this.  St. Gabriel, pray for us now and at the hour of our death.  Amen. 

[Relics must never be bought or sold, although some people innocently purchased them to remove them from profanation.]

St. Gabriel’s feast day is February 27.