What is the order of priest that Pope John Paul II is?

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I have a younger brother who is a catholic priest aand was wondering what order Pope John Paul II was with? I tried to read excerpts of his biography but was unsure of what order he chose. Whether it was diocisan,etc. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Thereze

-- Thereze Sichko (tsichko@aol.com), March 29, 2000

Answers

[Posted by J. F. Gecik, Thursday morning, March 30, 2000]

Hello, Thereze.
Thanks for asking this question.

Almost all priests are from one of two main categories -- diocesan or religious. (Diocesan priests are occasionally called "secular" priests.) The pope was a diocesan priest, not a religious.


A religious priest is usually a member of a group known as an order or congregation. I believe that orders are distinguished from congregations by the kinds of vows they take. Orders and congregations usually have saintly founders (e.g., Francis, Ignatius, Basil, Augustine) who have given their community a special emphasis, gift, or mission (called a "charism"). Almost all religious priests take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Though they must be obedient to their local bishop, their vow is mainly made to a "religious superior," usually known as an abbot, prior, guardian, or servant. Some take a fourth vow, related to their charism. Some take solemn vows for life, others simple vows, year by year. Except for a few who are hermits, religious priests usually live in community, sharing a large house or building that is usually called an abbey, monastery, priory, or friary. Except for a very limited number of simple items that are used only by each religious (e.g., toothbrush, garments), all the property is shared in common. Nothing is really "owned" by anyone. Thus, most religious can no longer keep earnings, but turn income over for the community to share. Religious priests and brothers usually attend Mass and sing public prayer (the Liturgy of the Hours) together, often in a chapel where few of the laity are present. They do not usually become involved in administering the Sacraments to the laity. A religious priest's name is suffixed by initials (such as O.P. for "Order of Preachers" [the official name of the Dominican order] or "C.M." for "Congregation of the Mission" [Vincentians]) Some religious priests help out at parishes, mainly in dioceses where there are shortages of priests, while others teach in high schools or colleges.

A diocesan priest directly serves his bishop, who usually assigns him to a parish. When ordained he makes limited promises, but not vows, to his bishop. He usually prays the Liturgy of the Hours alone. He celebrates Mass publicly and is heavily involved in administering the Sacraments (Penance, Baptism, Marriage, Anointing, Holy Eucharist) to the laity. He is permitted to own property, accept a salary, and live alone (or with other priests) in a rectory. His name is not suffixed by initials (except perhaps those of an academic degree).

John

-- J. F. Gecik (jgecik@desc.dla.mil), March 30, 2000.

John, Are their still Priests that live as hermits now, or is that a thing of the past?

I enjoyed reading your answer, as I learned some interesting information about Priests from it. If their are hermits, don't we need them now, due to the need for Priests?

Thanks,

David S

-- David S (asdzxc8176@aol.com), November 01, 2001.


Jmj

Hello, David S.

Yes, there are a very limited number of hermits (priests, sisters, brothers) in the world today. I'll tell you about the male hermits with which I am familiar

(1) Some members of the Society of Our Lady of the Trinity [S.O.L.T.] (including Fr. John Corapi, about whom Ed and I rave from time to time). Please take a look at this page of theirs, and read (near the bottom) what our pope has written about contemplatives, including hermits.

(2) The Carthusian Order. Most of their foundations are overseas (founded in France). They have one in Vermont, on an almost inacessible mountainside.

(3) The Camaldolese Hermits. Again, they are mostly overseas (founded in Italy). There is a very small hermitage complex in Ohio (near Steubenville).

(4) Sometimes Cistercian/Trappist abbots allow individual priests to move out of their contemplative monasteries and into individual hermitages.

St. James, pray for us.
God bless you.
John

-- (jfgecik@hotmail.com), November 01, 2001.


Thanks, John. I enjoyed reading that! I can not get over hermits, they are something else with their faith

David S

-- David S (asdzxc8176@aol.com), November 01, 2001.


David,

are you discerning the priesthood, by chance?? Your questions seem pretty focused :). I know of some great Benedictines and a beautiful Archdiocese i could contact you with!!! Go Kansas!

God bless you!

Thank you, John for your wisdom and gift of explanation! JMJ Matty of KCKS

-- Matty Molnar (kclifeteen@aol.com), March 11, 2002.



Hi, Matty.

No, I am not discerning the priesthood. I probably ask to many questions, because I try and " picture " something in my mind. I also take advantage of John's " wisdom and gift of explanation " because he is very generous with his time.

Welcome to forum! God bless you.

David S

-- David S (asdzxc8176@aol.com), March 12, 2002.


God bless you too, Matty! David S is a great married man!
JFG

-- (jfgecik@hotmail.com), March 12, 2002.

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