I'm not even a Catholic, but I'm 100% sure that Jesus was a celibate who lived in a fraternal community with his gang of disciples. I'm also 100% sure that they got annoyed with each other every once in a while, and it probably got awkward wandering around the countryside and sleeping in close quarters, but I'm also 100% sure that Jesus was the Son of God, and for the disciples, it was worth being uncomfortable and awkward just to be near and be taught by him.
I was about to leave a comment on his most recent post... as it is in these old videos that held a special meaning .. hes young, naive, ... innocent... where i think so many Christians find themselves regardless of age.... I i saw your comment.. and re-watched this video with #1 you can not get married.. I was reminded of Paul who says its better to marry then to spill your seed... AKA.. for those with a sexual appetite... and to be inline with God... Get married... at the same time Paul did not desire marriage.. he was not pulled in that way... for him, he felt the only relationship was with God.... Gods command..."be fruitful, and multiply"... there is not a single command from God that says a man should be single.. and Jesus and his relationship with the church.. is that marriage.. When it comes to the gay conversation, or transgender conversation one of the biggest arguments against is Genesis of How God created MAN and Woman.. and how thats why the man leaves his parents to be made one with a woman.. and yet some how, this is not the foundation of people who chose to be priest.. in Genesis it says, he saw Adam and saw that he was alone... and realized that man should not be alone, so God created a helper...aka... woman.. What was the plan... if Adam was some how going to continue to exist without a partner to reproduce? We he have simply kept creating from dust? why then require reproduction? Why if man was not meant to be alone.. and the company of woman was not the solution.. would God create Priest.. or Friars? Does God create some to be alone, in argument to his own law? To multiply? This is the argument against Gay... its Adam and Eve.. not Adam and Steve... yet is that being used against the pope? Or to get to your post... Jesus... I will say... its not fair comparison.. Jesus (AKA GOD) did exactly that, He multiplied!! Jesus was born of a Virgin???? God (Jesus) reproduced... outside of the physical...
@@caleb-ct5viGod can use the fear to save your from a extreme situation, cause fear is not always bad, it’s a mechanism God added to our brain to help we survive. But as it’s said in the Bible: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding, fear is only the beginning, if we truly want to know God, you cannot just fear him, but you must try to seek knowledge on him.
I was baptised Catholic.... I got confirmed in the Lutheran church... My mom is Catholic my dad was Lutheran.... I lived in a Capuchin monastery because I was involved in a Catholic ngo..... You my father and brother make so much sense..... I love your insights..... I was an atheist and now I'm falling in love with the church again because of your sensitive.... Intelligent and honest Catholic insights..... Don't stop your amazing work brother and father
You sir are a badass. I'm a 17 year old Catholic male who is struggling to abandon the pleasures of a Godless, secular life. I preach the gospel, catholic truth and *try* to walk in Christ's footsteps however in my heart I've been struggling to form a true relationship with God. True love is sacrifice and your lifestyle has proven to me your true love and devotion to God. Please pray for me and I will pray for you. I'm looking forward to watch you along your journey and God bless!!!
Jacob K Haha thank you Jacob. What you speak about is the struggle that each and every one of us faces. Do not fear! This life is one that cannot be perfected; we will always struggle. Really, the biggest difference between you and me is not that I have some special calling, that I am gifted in some way or that I am closer to God, it's that I have publicly professed myself a sinner that wants to do penance in community. I wear my habit to remind me that I'm a sinner, not to proclaim some perfection I have achieved. You will be in my prayers, and maybe one day my journey will be your journey!
Jacob K i would love to speak with you. . my child graduated jhs and is now dke he was asking me what its all about. . friars. i told him i Really did not know that he needs to speak with one You would be excellent. . . please get back to me Thank you and may our Father bless you and keep you safe :)
What a lovely young man! The Church is so lucky to have this young man and so is the Franciscan order. I say God bless him in his religious vocation. To clarify, just like cloistered nuns who stay in their monasteries and dedicate their lives to prayer, verses "active" sisters who run schools or hospitals, there are also "brothers or "friars" who go out to work verses cloistered monks, like Trappists, who stay in their monasteries and pray.
Yes Lorraine... He's a lovely, lovely young man... And to choose God over the world was a brave thing to do in today's times... When I look at him, I keep thinking (and praying) for my son to turn out like him
namnhan2003 Paul’s says twice in the Bible it’s better to not marry. But you never hear pastors or youth pastors preach this sadly. We live in a self centered world
Anagha wow! That’s crazy cause that’s what God has been recently showing me. I love that you mentioned that. God is so cool. He’s been showing me through the Bible His characteristic of anger and justice. He is truly great and Almighty! It’s cool how He made sure to have the “unpardonable sin” clearly shown in Bible too. There’s a type of justice in that. When people think they can cheat the system of God and rededicate after, God one ups them. Not saying people can’t rededicate. Sorry if I’m rambling. Thanks again for the comment.
You are one cool dude. Thank you for sharing your faith with the world and the good works you do. May God bless you with a long and happy service filled life.
same, I had to write about friar lawrence then googled "friar" and got here. Honestly tho why do we even study this pointless stuff... only 1% of the class is ever going to go on and study this stuff once they get older, and those who do study this later in life add no value to society.
I am so very inspired by this video and the attitude and sense of humor shown. I am not a Catholic although all through my life since my teenage years I have felt a pull towards the Catholic Church. I cannot explain why, other than to say that it just 'feels right' when I see Catholicism and especially monastic life on TV and in documentaries online. I've had a turbulent relationship with God, often hating Him for several things that have been a part of my life - my mother suffering the pain of arthritis in her spine, and my best friend having cerebral palsy and suffering pain so intense he used to pull his own hair out and tear and bite his hands and face - are just two examples of suffering that I struggle to deal with. Arguing with God has been an everyday thing for me all of my adult life and yet even in the darkest times I would always wish that I could find faith, find some way to trust God. Well, in recent months I have found faith. I have bought myself another copy of the Bible - a catholic version - to read alongside the New International Version I've owned for several years, and reading it has brought me a better understanding of Jesus Christ and a new certainty that God does really love us all. In the past two weeks I have bought myself a crucifix - to replace the one my grandmother bought for me when I was in my late teens despite neither I nor her being Catholic, and today I have received a rosary and have watched a great video on here showing the Joyful Mysteries. I know wearing a crucifix and having a rosary doesn't prove anything but for me it is an important step in making peace with and strengthening my faith in God and Jesus Christ. It is my intention to convert to Catholicism. I am praying every day, hoping to be forgiven by God for all the hate and anger that I have felt for so many years, and to be honest, I already feel happier despite life at the moment being extremely hard and troubled. I've also never felt that I was in the right place in life, never felt that I was doing what I should be doing. I know this is not an uncommon feeling, but several times over the years I have felt that a monastic life is what I really need and where I should be. As I turned 47 years old three weeks ago I think it's most likely too late for me to follow up on that, but watching this video and several others about modern monastic life just makes me smile and feel at peace and makes me more certain that this is what I should have done with my life twenty years ago. Thank you to anyone who has read this all the way through - I do tend to write too much once I get started lol - and thank you all for all you do in God's name and for the people you help.
Hi +William Agar, I'm glad that this video helped you in that way. God can work in mysterious ways, and I think that, no matter how we treat God, God will always seek after us. I hope that you find that peace you're looking for and that you may find a warm welcome as you explore the Catholic Church. God bless you.
There is no amount of pain or confusion that God cannot get through. We put up these walls around us but He is more powerful than anything. Turn to His Mother and she will show you Him.
then God is calling you to convert to catholic.. just like saul.. Knowing that Saul had persecuted and jailed many Saints in Jerusalem, Ananias was afraid, but the Lord assured him that Saul had changed. Ananias found Saul and gave him the blessing. “He received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. “And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.” (Acts 9:18, 20.) Because Saul prayed to know the Lord’s will and was obedient after being blinded, his sight was restored and he learned and accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was known from then on as Paul, and he dedicated his life to teaching and testifying of the Savior and His gospel.
Fr Casey, thanks for making your videos educational and so much fun all the time. Watching this video made 5 yrs ago still make me chuckle. I praise God for you ! 😄😇
Hello Brother, I recently became homeless, and I now live at St.Anthony's, in the Bronx, New York. I love the rules and I go to mass every morning. I read the bible in the morning, and in the night. If I ere younger, I would go to the order. All the best Shaun Campbell
+MICHAEL DAVIS The Catholic Church does not contradict the bible, in fact, how could it since it put the books of the bible together in the first place. Also, Jesus only established one church and that is the Catholic Church. Your protestant denomination is just one of thousands with many differing beliefs among them. Why do you suggest he "try" your denomination? Is it because if it doesn't fit in with his personal viewpoint on things he can simply church hop until he finds one that does? That is the problem with protestantism. Jesus challenged his listeners to change their ways. He didn't say let me change my teaching to fit in with your personal feelings about things.
+jbond5150 The thing is that God knows your thoughts, so if you plan on a deathbed confession while continuing to live an unGodly life, you are fooling yourself.
Hi Fr! This was the very first video of yours I watched years ago. I was discerning and still somewhat discerning and I'm nearing 50. Not in religious life but God called me to care for my elderly mother. Anyways, look where your channel is now. Keep it up! God bless!
Bro. I LOVED your video. I'm a Protestant and since my divorce (which was not of my choosing) I have rededicated my life to God and have remained abstinent. It was a decision I made early on to grow closer to God which I really struggled with the first few months but got easier. I always thought it would be this huge big deal. But it's just not, and like you said it frees you to have a closer walk with God and to be able to serve other people. My daughter chose to live with me, and now she's grown and on her own. Now that she's out and on her own I've been looking for better ways to serve the Kingdom like short term mission trips etc. Though I'm not Catholic I have to say the friar life looks really attractive to me from here. Service in Christ with brothers in community sounds awesome. Of course undoubtedly there would be challenges. I serve my local church with a few different men's groups (for example we have a garage where we provide the labor to those who need it provided they supply the parts, etc.) Those guys all have families etc I can only imagine how much more we could accomplish if they didn't have those commitments. I don't know of a Protestant organization like your Franciscan Brothers. I either need to start one or come join yours. Tell me, do you accept previously married Protestants? What's the process look like? Do you have any brothers like me that went through a similar process you could do a story on? Tell me more. Blessings and Peace Alan
Hi Alan, Thanks for sharing your story. I appreciate it. We have accepted former Protestants and there are a few brothers who were once married and had kids. Since being Catholic a a central tenant to our Order, you would have to be received into the Church first, and we would probably ask you wait at least 2-3 years before entering (you can't be a good shepherd until you know what it's like to be a sheep.)
Breaking In The Habit I'm already a good sheep! Lol Just apparently the wrong kind in the wrong corral. :( Lol I just want to serve And I will, and have been. Thank you for your quick reply. I know if it's Gods will he will make a way in His time whatever That is. Love you bro Keep doing what you're doing.
One of my favorite priests was the methodist minister that was right next door to my catholic church. His children were grown & his wife passed away. He was friends with our priest & eventually decided to become catholic. A little bit later he was ordained as a priest. (Not sure how long) it probably went faster for him since he had his own church for many years. My point is he was such a blessing to our church & was wonderful with our youth groups.
May Jesus, Mary, and Joseph bless you and your ministry abundantly, Brother Casey. I wish you every peace and good in this life and the next. I am at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkeley as a lay graduate student, but I am thinking of joining the Third Order of the Franciscans - like Saint Thomas More, Saint Joan of Arc, Blessed Contardo Ferrini, Dante, and Michelangelo - to name an illustrious few. I'm open to the priesthood, but as with everyone in one way or another, my brother is my vocation. You see, my little brother suffers from nonverbal autism, and I feel called to care for him when my parents eventually pass. I'm not ruling out, but it's hard to be a priest with a dependent - at least in the Latin rite! In fact, my family prays to your patron Solanus Casey often for his sake. I will invoke Solanus for you in your continued formation and growth in holiness. You are like a young Father Leo Clifford, OFM, of blessed memory on EWTN, and I look forward to watching the rest of your videos and posting some on Twitter. In the meantime, please pray to Blessed Diego Oddi: catholicsaints.info/blessed-diego-oddi/. I relate because he was quite a talker, too, which you don't always see in the saints! Please keep up the good work, fight the good fight, and finish the race.
I just found your channel, and it has been so helpful to me. I love that you don’t try to claim that doubt and questioning isn’t part of being faithful. I’ve found so much growth and affirmation of my faith by having doubt and looking for answers. I chose St. Thomas the Apostle as my patron.
Hi brother! I am from Argentina, I'd like to know more about the Order and your life and charism. great video! Thanks for sharing the consecrated happines!
You mentioned the Carmelites - yay! I love this video and all your videos. I’m in the first year of formation for the Lay Carmelites. I’m praying to be received into the order in a few months - the pandemic has put a pause on our meetings. I’m excitedly looking forward to the reception.
I attended a service in Detroit of perpetual vows of a new Capuchin brother yesterday.. I knew the brother before he became a brother, and it was perfect for him These men truly live the rules... It was really wonderful to see.. At our table at the reception after the service, the question of pockets came up... Thank you for answering it here. :-)
Oh God!!!...This is awesome and so inspriring to me!, very simple, very clear, very funny, very honest, just as God is...Thanks a lot for sharing this with all of us...
I'm reminded of what one cardinal said about dealing with people, especially difficult ones who are hard to reason with or at least see it their way. He said, "Whenever that situation should arise where I'm having to argue with that person I disagree with, I always turn to my guardian angel and ask him to talk with the guardian angel of the person I'm dealing with!" LOL
this kind of life we chose is a circumsition of the heart. it is when we start giving our lives for others that makes it beautiful and meaningful and this OUR mission no matter what state of life we are in. we are called to be "a brother to all."
I'm Buddhist and have always found monastic life fascinating and felt a certain attraction to it. Though I may disagree with your beliefs I have great respect for the choice you've made.
What an inspiring video!!! It is a phenomenon in my town when some young religoius (friar and monk) post in their social media a meme about a young monk or a young friar who asking for a sorry from their ex-girlfriend or ex-boyfriend for their choice in serving God. Your video did more than that meme. It is funnny, reasonable, and give a deep meaning. Best regards from young friar of Indonesia. Pax et bonum :) :)
Incredible! I never thought I would find such a great video! You are a true voice for the God I know-smart, funny, humble, and generous. Thank you for taking the chance to post a video on youtube to reach people. How blessed we are to have you among us. Please continue this mission to reach people.
I wore the habit for 6 years. Left, became a prison chaplain and then a teacher. Got married, have 3 kids and am now a high-school chaplain. No regrets, but I am always pleased to see that my Franciscan brothers are flourishing. I do miss community and wish it was something lay people could experience,
You are so cool. People think that a religious life is boring. Its actually very knowledgeable and adventurous. Just like Christ. Jesus was a celebrity in his day. A crowd of Five thousand in Capernuam once followed him around. Keep up your faith worldliness is Boring God is Awesome.
Thank u for being such an inspiration brother. May the Good God help you in all that you wish to accomplish in your spiritual life :) Lots of prayers and good wishes.
My uncle was a Franciscan of the Oakland Province and one of his assignments was to.raise guns for the rebuilding/maintenance of Mission.Santa Barbara ordained in.1943 you have a special gift of communicating and so.enjoyed your video in.10.qestions
The sound of the wind on the mic in question 10 made me thought it was the triggered sound effect for a second. I got introduced to this channel recently and I'm just binge-watching all the videos!
I went to three different private catholic schools in my life. I spent my elementary years in a school run by Jesuits, my horrible highschool years in a school run by Dominicans and then went to a Paulinian university. Now, I'm listening to a Franciscan talk about faith while I crochet. My education makes my relationship with my faith interesting.
Br. Casey I was thought your holy now, and by being so your beyond state of marriage because your doing the lord's work here on earth. Thanks be to god.
Hi baby Friar... you are such a good role model for aspiring young friars... i love your positivity.. keep the love of God alive and spread love! God bless you Friar!
I love how you put it as you're choosing between 2 good things. Just as it is not wrong to be in full ministry and not partake in so many normal things but it is also not wrong to not be in full time ministry to live your life but still in that life seek God and do as we have all been instructed.
Hidden pockets. . . Can I borrow a habit sometime? Try not to get irritated when you're asked your age and your answer is in the "20s" or "30s". All too soon someone will ask if you're eligible for the "senior discount". Love your videos.
Father Cole Please Pray 4 Me I tried a Franciscan Brother My Bi Polar after 2 and 3/4 years stopped e Live out Franciscan Way of Life as much as can daily thanx 4 Your Prayers.
All religions can be magical and have beautiful secrets...you never know what might be revealed... but secret pockets... Hilarious! I enjoy these videos so much. I can see how so many people would think you're not a regular person (what you're not married?! Get a wife!) but you really are a regular person like any of us. You've just made a choice to take the road less traveled. It's refreshing!
I was in seminary to become a Franciscan TOR - I was told it was my path to become a bishop. 15 years later I have a husband and I'm a registered nurse. Sometimes I am sad that I didn't not complete that goal as I feel that I could have created significant changes in the world. Now as a nurse , i guess I do the same thing but via a different path.
brother I love the work you are doing.helping the poor and needy people who have been in the world..i will love to be a brother because I love helping people around me and studying make me happy...pls help go about it
You are AWESOME Fr Casey. By being a husband of a woman, you are only loved by her, but by becoming a Priest, you are loved by so many people, children, teenagers, youth, adults, everyone. Isn't it amazing?? And we have a joke here in Indonesia, that more girls or women want to become your wife.....LOL.
Hi! This is the first video of yours that I watch, and I already admire your words and explanations. It is great to see a brave and young man like you! God bless your life and your mission. You said something that really touched me: God didn't give you a direct answer when you thought about becoming a friar, even though you would like that, and I've been waiting for a similar answer from God... I am about to graduate from college, and I'm thinking about assuming a religious life, but I have no idea (at all) if that's my true calling! I keep waiting for God to talk to me through my friends at church or something, because I don't know what to do. Oddly, the thing that scares me the most about becoming a nun is the clothing. Stupid, I know! But I really admire their lives of sacrifice, poverty and intense prayer. But when I look at their clothes, I just feel terrified! But I am on God's hands and I know I will do what He wants me to, eventually. Thank you again for your videos! If you could pray for me, I would be very thankful. Here, in Brazil, I will pray for you!
+Camila Moroli My beloved confessor from Brazil :-) has suggested the priesthood to me, but I'm not sure I will follow that path since my little brother suffers from nonverbal autism. Thus, as I described for Brother Casey above, I'm still on the fence myself, but regardless of what God eventually has in mind, I found this article very uplifting as well (she is the same age as Br. Casey!), and I think you would, too: aleteia.org/2015/10/27/at-age-26-she-left-everything-to-enter-the-convent/. May Jesus, Mary, and Joseph be with you always, and may your discernment bear great fruit!
+Michael Walker God bless you. Have you considered becoming a diocesan priest? Poverty is relative and some bishops would likely be willing to provide lots of family support to gain a good priest. The American economy is not set up to favor either religious or families. But there is nothing non-Christian about pastors earning enough to support their moral obligations. Pastors lead large groups of people. If they were military officers or CEOs of similar sized groups they would get paid six figure incomes. The money is, or should be there. Of course as Christians we should hate excess money. But taking care of your brother is not excess.
+Jeff Rosenbury Merry Christmas, Jeff! Thank you for your helpful suggestions. I think the diocesan priesthood was what my confessor was suggesting in my case, but he, too, acknowledged that simultaneous support of my brother would be up to the bishop's discretion. Thus, it is encouraging to hear that diocesan funds wouldn't preclude the possibility. Again, I don't feel particularly called, but love isn't just a feeling, so I am still open to the possibility. Come what may, I know God will provide. As the Franciscans say, "Nudus nudum Christum sequi": "Naked I go to the naked Christ."
My God is great and greatly to be praised. I hope to one day own apostolic convent, by the grace of God. Minister Marshella Marshall Thompson Minister Phil Thompson
Breaking In The Habit definitely! I actually went to John Paul High School. I’m a big fan of the Franciscan Friars of the renewal! Please keep me in your prayers!
Bravo, well done - awesome video series - I would have to agree with you on the questions of obedience as being difficult and perhaps most difficult - we're humans, and well, yeah that - and certainly right about the embracing the life/call/vocation out of love, not fear or some obligation. Sigh, I'm too old - pax et bonum
I am the RCIA Coordinator of a multi-parish collaborative. One of the most difficult issues that I encounter is one that comes from divorced and re-married persons wanting to enter the Catholic Church. It is the topic of annulment and the bigger issue, the belief (and fear) of some of them is that if they have the annulment, their children from previous marriage are then considered "illegitimate" or "bastards". Over the years, several candidates have chosen not to enter the Church to protect their children of this "disgrace". I know that this is a very old throw-back, but how can I convince them that this is not true? Could you use this topic in one of your Catholicism in Focus? (I haven't been able to find one specific on this.) Your beautiful down to earth, human touch, non-pulpit, evangelism is so important in reaching the hearts and minds of today's cultures. Thank you.