The Future of Religious Life

With many religious communities struggling with dwindling numbers, some have begun to ask the question: Is there a future for religious life in the Church? I say yes.

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[livingonaprayer]

taking away the habit does not attract new vocations, just saying. I'm so glad you wear the habit, Brother.

[ThatNerdyCatholic]

Brother, I think you are definitely a part of the future of religious life. I think it is great that you are vlogging your experience as a brother and sharing your faith in such a wonderful way on YouTube. We need to always be looking to the past for inspiration and to follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before us while at the same time looking to the future and asking the Holy Spirit how he wants us to become the people that some day people will look back to and want to follow in our footsteps. We are all links in this chain called the Church that stretches from Jesus all the way to the Kingdom that He will some day establish where there will be no more tears and no more pain. Our job is to find our place in that chain and continue to ask God to help us be the witness He wants us to be to the world.

[jayvinsondahay]

This just helped and made me discern living in a religious vocation. Thanks Brother.

[MichaelBrooksmsb]

I am preparing to begin a new Foundation for Monasticism beginning day after June 2 of this year in New York State, a Community of Hermits in the Carmelite Spirituality. The purpose of the new Foundation is to give pilgrims a glimps into Monasticism of the Middle Ages, the Medieval Period. To do this, I will need to do continual research, and take the proverbial deLorean back in time. Mankind needs to learn how to slow down and smell the 🌹.

[ekaterini]

Thank you for broadcasting the call to the religious life. Keep pushing, keep figuring out how to send out that call. I happen to be Eastern Orthodox, but these sibling churches both need an increase in vocations. Thank you for blessing the world with your work. I will have my son watch these.

[calledtolove]

Some communities are dying, yes, that unfortunately true, but there are quite a few communities that are flourishing. Authentic communities centered on Christ and living a true prayer and community life are not dwindling in numbers.

[megan]

You seem to be the only young person and person in habit there

[Bakspace]

Hey Casey. I do agree that one key hallmark of us young people is the desire of intimacy and connectedness. This is therefore a challenge for young people entering religious, challenge that is worth to be undertaken rather than walking away from it.

[suzynolanart]

I had an art exhibit at their Moontree Studio Art Center. Wonderful place. Amazing sisters!

[Kschychooo]

As far as the dessert. There is a guy in my parish (actually an employee as well) that when there is some sort of food in the parish (either an event or volunteering time such as festival prep) he always stays that he starts with desserts to make sure he have enough room for it ;) And again great video. As always.

[ChristiDea]

You hit the nail on the head. People are desperately seeking community....authentic community. That is where the spiritual battle is being waged. There are multiple communities centered around sin that while sinful, are authentic. The church MUST offer a counter balance.

[clemsonbloke]

Very insightful. I'm 44 (Gen X'er) and single, never married. I know what you mean when you talk about the fear of being lonely all the time. This is a very good video, I enjoyed your thoughts on this and agree on much of it. By the way, you should day a "Day in the Life of a Friar" video and show what a normal day would be like. I believe many men just don't know what all goes on and what to expect if they decided to join a community. In fact, not knowing might prevent someone from joining the Friary for fear of the unknown.

[Phillaussie]

Very sad to see so many religious that would be indistinguishable from the random lady on the street. If it's vocations you want, then the example that needs to be set is one of fearlessly living out the truth, giving up your entire self to Our Lord. That is what attracts people to religious life. This fanaticism for Christ draws people into the mystery, makes them wonder 'what is so valuable to these people that they would give up so much?' The habit is an outward sign that religious life is a life, not a job.

[maribelandrade]

Father, I feel you. I truly do. And I'm hopeful there will be so many of us, that we will give our very life to this new form of religious life.

[MzPurpleHaze]

Thank you for sharing. Made me lol at your sadness of not being able to sleep an hour later and at the end, going back to the past (good one btw). I always enjoy your channel. Looking forward to your next post. Blessings.

[undolf]

The idea that those churches were at one point new is such a good perspective. I'm not sure if Modernist/post-modernist architecture is good for the Church (I don't really think it's good for any kind of beauty) but that the answer isn't necessarily to preserve the past. And you're right, that should apply to other things to.

[ItsEllis]

I think you really hit the nail on this video. Good insight. I think the future of religious life is what you said, but I’m sure there will be some called to do things traditionally, I want to try Monastery beer before it’s gone lol

[dantarot]

A great reflection. One more thought I'd like to add to the mix is the way the monastery and surrounding community interacted in 7th and 8th century Northumbria--before the Viking invasions. There was shared community in a far more active way than other places in Europe. I'm at a time in my life where I have the freedom to connect to community, but I don't really see anything available.

[powerliftingcentaur]

Thoughtful, interesting video. Thank you.

[josephcastillo]

Mmm I’m not a fan of modern art inside of beautiful churches, however I do agree with your sentiments. One thing I have noticed is there seems to be this renewed interest in “restoring the sacred” almost what was old has become new again and its fascinating and beautiful. At the young of 33 it’s certainly caught my interest.