This sounds like such a beautiful story until one stops to wonder how it was that Leonard supported himself, a wife and ten kids with no job? While the article says he got some money from various people, most likely the bulk of what little income they had was through government subsidies (welfare, food stamps, etc) that you and I pay for. While Leonard was going to daily mass, you and I were going to work. Even the Apostle Paul was gainfully employed making tents.
I have to echo Harley’s concern here. It’s very imprudent to quit your job with 11 kids. It’s an abdication of responsibility. It’s morally questionable. I’m sure St Thomas Aquinas would agree.
What is “providence” in this case? It’s government assistance and help from other working families who go to work everyday. Most daily masses are in the morning or evening. You can be a daily communicant while holding down a job. You can be a Sunday Cantor while holding down a job.
I know a bit about Fr. Samuel and his IVE order. While it makes a nice story, there are a few of us with personal experiences with him that can tell you his lack of prudence extends beyond his own family to the advice he gives others. He’s a nice guy yes, but keep young people away from him for this reason.
Think I’m being harsh? Well, would you quit your job with 10 kids (and one on the way)? OK then, you see there is some basis for the statement outside of our experiences.
Even his “formation” was imprudent. I mean, plenty of places ordain older, widowed candidates. There are probably reasons nobody else would take the guy. The IVE always take in these “last-chance” feel-good stories, but there are usually reasons they couldn’t get accepted elsewhere (whereas the IVE takes *anybody*.) He spent very little time actually studying at their seminary in Marlyand. They mostly had him just hang out at their parishes. He’s really not prepared for many of the things he has taken on.
The IVE group has major problems. They are basically a poor-mans version of the Legion of Christ. They put on a good front, but as someone who has joined and left, I can tell you that image is not very deep.
They run Our Lady of Peace in Santa Clara, which is a great parish, but it’s Monsignor Sweeney before them that made it great (before their benefactor Bishop McGrath forced him to resign early.) They just took over what he built. Their other parishes are just your average parish with bad masses and cheezy hymns - go check them out if you don’t believe me.