Obviously, you have not been *called*. Perhaps your religious upbringing, education, or reading of the classics has not exposed you to people who have dedicated their lives to vows of asceticism, celibacy, poverty or moral perfection...The seeming fact that you are unwilling to read links that were posted, shows you lack some intellectual curiosity, and prefer to troll and ignore history. Good luck with that.
From the very beginning of the Church men and women have responded to this call, imitating Christ more closely and following him with greater liberty, through lives of committed poverty, chastity and obedience.
Saying ‘yes’ to the Father’s call and to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, they choose this way of life to devote themselves to Christ with an undivided heart. Like the Apostles, they leave everything to be with Christ, and to put themselves at the service of God and of their brothers and sisters.
Usually they live together in community, supporting each other in a shared way of life, in prayer, and in dedication to a particular service or ministry in the Church.
Religious life is a gift of God for the individuals who are called, and for the whole Church.
Cmon man. You and I disagree. Big deal. You haven’t convinced me. Sorry. I am willing, did read the links and it still baffles me. I am so so sorry if you are personally offened. I’m not sure why this article was posted if not to spur debate and converstation.
An argument does not always resolve with both parties in agreement.
One aspect of their life that hasn't been mentioned was their ongoing cartoon strip featuring the Monestery Hounds -- Ludvig and ??? They were a Doberman and a Pharoh Hound. Father Robert drew the cartoons featuring the rivalry between the 2 dogs. It was hilarious and used to be accessed from their web page. One of the dogs has died; I think it was Ludwig.