[ThomasMore]

Think about it....there is NO higher calling.

I believe that parents and good priests foster good vocations to the priesthood. But it is bad theology to say that the priesthood is a higher calling. This kind of thinking has lowered the sacred institution of marriage. There are some parishes I know that will pray for VOCATIONS to the priesthood, but refuse to call bans of marriage a VOCATION. Clericalism was born of this type of thinking. Sorry, but I don't buy it!

PS: I reverence the priesthood with all due respect and love. But I can't believe for one minute, knowing that vocations are gifts and individual callings from God, that He would short change any other vocation He called a person to.

[joathome]

Amen. Marriage is a profound source of growth and holiness. Who among us would deny that it is often much easier to be kind and patient with our neighbors and co-workers than with our spouses and children? When I worked I could tackle nine problems and six emergencies at work, and remain unruffled, yet I often have to remind myself to be calm and patient with my precious children.

I can't imagine any life of celibacy being more of a source of growth than the life of a spouse and parent. I don't really think the average parish priest has a "more" difficult life....difficult in a different way, but not tremendously difficult.

[Ann Archy]

I've NEVER heard a priest not call marriage a VOCATION. There are THREE Vocations....Clergy...Married....Single.....EVERYONE has a VOCATION! Are you a Catholic? Catholic educated? Perhaps you are marriedto a Catholic?