I have yet to begin a discernment, but because I am physically disabled, I wonder if it is a waste of time.
Does anyone know what the physical criteria are for the Priesthood/Monastic life?
Full Version: Disabilities and Vocations
Depends upon what your disability is.
You should talk to the PM member goldenchild17. You and he may be able to help each other out, because I believe he is looking into the preisthood with a disability as well.
God bless!
God bless!
Welcome to the Station, Jimbo!
I have no solid information on your question, but i think i once heard someone say this:
The most crucial thing for a priest is the use of his consecrated hands for Sacramental duties. A man who had lost a hand (not uncommon in our still industrialized age) would not be able to be ordained. But other disabilities would not necessarily exclude you from ordination.
I'm sure each diocese has different policies. In pre Vatican II days, a dispensation was required for a wide variety of health conditions. But most of those burdens have been lifted, as far as i know.
Definitely worth looking into, if you're feeling that divine tap on the shoulder.
Pax et Bonum,
D.Be
I have no solid information on your question, but i think i once heard someone say this:
The most crucial thing for a priest is the use of his consecrated hands for Sacramental duties. A man who had lost a hand (not uncommon in our still industrialized age) would not be able to be ordained. But other disabilities would not necessarily exclude you from ordination.
I'm sure each diocese has different policies. In pre Vatican II days, a dispensation was required for a wide variety of health conditions. But most of those burdens have been lifted, as far as i know.
Definitely worth looking into, if you're feeling that divine tap on the shoulder.
Pax et Bonum,
D.Be
I guess this is also to Goldenchild, too
I was just thinking, and we have a priest in St. Louis who is a quadriplegic and confined to a wheelchair. However, he can use his hands for the Consecration. He's a fairly young priest, too (probably ordained in the past 5 or 6 years). His name is Fr. Michael Esswein and he is at St. Clare of Assisi parish in Ellisville. You can probably google him to find out about him.
Jen
I was just thinking, and we have a priest in St. Louis who is a quadriplegic and confined to a wheelchair. However, he can use his hands for the Consecration. He's a fairly young priest, too (probably ordained in the past 5 or 6 years). His name is Fr. Michael Esswein and he is at St. Clare of Assisi parish in Ellisville. You can probably google him to find out about him.
Jen
Even the loose of one hand should not exclude a man from the priesthood.
I just remembered that I met a wonderful priest at a conference a few years back who was confined to a wheelchair and also had some other health problems and he was such an inspiration to lay ppl who also were handicapped.
He ended up being an advocate for those not represented and definitely was doing something unique w/ his priestly vocation that others could not do.
Definitely do not allow such obstacles to eliminate the calling u may or may not have to any vocation including the priesthood!
I do suggest you try to find some other priests and resources in your diocese who could help you out w/ this issue - finding someone w/ similar difficulties to discuss the matter w/ informally.
peace+
I just remembered that I met a wonderful priest at a conference a few years back who was confined to a wheelchair and also had some other health problems and he was such an inspiration to lay ppl who also were handicapped.
He ended up being an advocate for those not represented and definitely was doing something unique w/ his priestly vocation that others could not do.
Definitely do not allow such obstacles to eliminate the calling u may or may not have to any vocation including the priesthood!
I do suggest you try to find some other priests and resources in your diocese who could help you out w/ this issue - finding someone w/ similar difficulties to discuss the matter w/ informally.
peace+
Come to think of it, like you all, the only thing I have heard of that would prevent a man from entering the priesthood (physically, besides old age), is disabled hands.
God bless! We'll pray for you!
God bless! We'll pray for you!
Thanks guys!
My hands are fine, aside from the occasonal hang nail.
I'm hard of hearing, and my legs don't work so great. That's my concern, if it were up to me, I'd choose the monastic life, but since there's physical labor involved in many Monastaries, that is a concern.
My hands are fine, aside from the occasonal hang nail.
I'm hard of hearing, and my legs don't work so great. That's my concern, if it were up to me, I'd choose the monastic life, but since there's physical labor involved in many Monastaries, that is a concern.
Hey Jimbo. Yeah I'm kind of in the same situation you are. I'm looking into the priesthood and am trying to work out all the details because of my disability. I have full use of my hands(otherwise I wouldn't be typing here 
). But I'm not completely sure who will take me. I know one of the orders I'm looking into has a couple disabled priests. My diocesan vocations director has been very helpful though...
). But I'm not completely sure who will take me. I know one of the orders I'm looking into has a couple disabled priests. My diocesan vocations director has been very helpful though...
| QUOTE (jimbo @ Feb 11 2005, 03:20 AM) |
| I'd choose the monastic life, but since there's physical labor involved in many Monastaries, that is a concern. |
I would talk to the Moastaries themselves, there is probably some work there that needs do be done that doesn't require the use of your legs.
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