Q: In the past I have struggled with being moderate in my drinking, and many times slipped into drunkenness that lead to other sins. However, I have been working on this and don’t struggle as much as I used to. There have been a couple of occasions, though, where when I didn’t eat enough beforehand, or because of feeling anxious, I have accidentally had too much to drink and became fairly intoxicated (in one case it was only one glass of wine but because I had not eaten and wasn’t being careful, it affected me a lot). I know under some circumstances this would not be a mortal sin since it was an accident. But since I have struggled with drinking in the past, and should know to be more careful, I am wondering if that makes it a mortal sin in my case. I am also wondering if, because I do struggle with drinking, a “firm purpose of amendment” in confession would be to give up drinking completely, or just continuing to be as careful as possible. – C.
Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC
A: It isn’t easy to say when drinking crosses the line into mortal sin. Every person needs to know his limits in the use of alcohol.
Perhaps the inquiry about mortal sin is the wrong question to ask. Let me explain.
If you have had problems with alcohol in the past, and these have led to other sins, then it might be good to squarely face the reality that drinking poses grave risks for you. Ideally your response should be one of caution, not flirting with disaster.
Think of it this way. Imagine you are driving on a twisting mountain road, with no guardrails and with a steep cliff on one side. Do you ask yourself, “How close can I drive to the edge without plunging into the valley below?” One hopes not. Rather, you are more prone to think, “This is a dangerous road. I need to slow down and hug the center line.”
In the case of drinking you might consider slowing down. At the very least, it would be good to give yourself strict parameters. Unless you give up drinking altogether (not a bad option), at least consider a no-alcohol-without-food rule. And perhaps limit yourself to one drink, period. If any of this seems extreme, just remember what is at stake.
In the meantime you want to maintain a solid prayer life and sacramental life, and consider looking for positive social activities that don’t involve alcohol (such as museum visits, Bible studies, volunteer work, etc.).
So, rather than trying to avoid grievous sins with alcohol, it might be better to look for activities that don’t require any alcohol.
Today’s secular world throws curve balls at us all the time. AskACatholicPriest is a Q&A feature that anyone can use. Just type in your question or send an email to AskAPriest@rcspiritual.wpenginepowered.com and you will get a personal response back from one of our priests at RCSpirituality. You can ask about anything – liturgy, prayer, moral questions, current events… Our goal is simply to provide a trustworthy forum for dependable Catholic guidance and information. So go ahead and ask your question…
Maca Exérez is studying a master’s degree in educational support at the Francisco de Vitoria University in her hometown of Madrid, Spain at 29 years old. After years of contact with Regnum Christi, she felt the call to become part of it. She joined the Almagro section after Holy Week Missions. The following interview explains how she sees being part of the Regnum Christi family as a gift:
Interviewer: Maca, when did you incorporate into Regnum Christi?
Maca: Easter Monday of this year!
How did you meet Regnum Christi?
I would not be able to put a date on it since Regnum Christi is a well-known movement here. But, there have been several moments in recent years that have let me know it well. For example: listening to the testimony of a Legionary, attending a silent retreat in which someone “forgot” a Regnum Christi Member Handbook, which I decided to start reading, a Consecrated Woman who opened the door to RC to me, inviting me to a team and proposing an apostolate when I desired to learn more about Regnum Christi…
And of all this, what made you want to be part of Regnum Christi?
I suppose, at the beginning, I was interested in how the movement was forming young people, because we are the future. However, once I got to know it more deeply, I loved the depth and variety and ease of being able to include an apostolate in your day-to-day life. To this day, knowing the movement from within, I would highlight its charism and the formation that it offer us. On top of that all there are incredible people, who for me are an example, are what make me want to be part of it.
So, what is Regnum Christi for you now?
For me, Regnum Christi is an investment in the future for me, my family, my future family, my environment, and the people that I know in my day to day life.
Do you have any special memories in relation to Regnum Christi?
I guess I could tell you the last one… Even though I have a lot!
I had been planning to join for several months, but since I am very social, no date would fit all the people who wanted to come to attend the incorporation ceremony.
However, on Easter Sunday, when it was 27° C [81° F], and we were putting suitcases onto a bus while trying to coordinate 35 16-year-old girls, after 4 amazing but exhausting days of missions in Cartagena, I was told to go running to talk to Fr. Francisco Ramos, LC. And I said to myself, “Yes, yes now I will go!” They insisted that it be at that moment.
I went running and the priest asked me if I had spoken with Fr. Miguel Segura. I did not understand anything, Father Miguel had not come on the missions with us…
Fr. Francisco said, “Maca, Father Miguel thought ‘why don’t you join tomorrow?’”
I think I drowned. I looked at my cell phone and there I had calls and a voicemail from Father Miguel. I called him and he more or less told me: “Look, I thought that since you want María (a friend who lives in Córdoba) to go to your incorporation, and I am going to Madrid from Cordoba tomorrow… We can go together – María and I – and then you can join!”
I remained silent evaluating this. The truth is that it was very sudden, but perfect. I told him I would talk to my mother, and if she could come, we would go to it. Half an hour later, I was sending this message to my friends: “I am joining Regnum Christi tomorrow at 8:30pm, Fr. Miguel has given this time to me; I understand if you can’t come.”
Maca makes her commitment to Christ at her Regnum Christi Incorporation Mass
It was a beautiful Mass, with all the people who could attend, where I was thrilled with the commitment I was making. I was pleasantly surprised to receive messages from friends of mine, who do not belong to Regnum Christi, telling me that it had been one of the most beautiful Masses they had come to. Those who could not go were accompanying me from the heart.
Well, and after these experiences, what are you looking for in Regnum Christi?
A way to grow and form myself as a human being, that allows me to help and contribute to others.
Maca, tell us: what is the phrase that most inspires you?
¡Hagan lío! [A Spanish phrase that means “Make a mess!” or “Stir things up!” indicating the idea that you get involved and make things happen even if it isn’t perfectly planned.]
Do you participate in apostolate?
Yes! We are forming a team to give talks on affectivity and sexuality in parish youth groups. I think that, not only because of what we are going to help them, but also on a personal level, this is going to be great for us to apply it and understand many things that we simply assume.
On April 9, 2018, the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, a pontifical university in Rome directed by the Legionaries of Christ which educates priests and seminarians, religious, and lay people from all over the world, celebrated its patronal feast on the solemnity of the Annunciation. This begins its 25th year of existence.
Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Dean of the College of Cardinals and Secretary of State Emeritus of the Pope, came to join the celebration which began with a Eucharistic concelebration in the chapel of the International College of the Legionaries of Christ.
The University Feast
The decision to make University Day coincide with the solemnity of the Annunciation underlines the link between the university’s mission and the mystery of the Incarnation of the Word, the mystery of God’s overwhelming love for man.
Fr. Jesús Villagrasa, LC, Rector of the University, pointed out this link, “The University wants to train men and women who are able to bear witness to Jesus’ love; we want to form apostles of the Incarnate Word.”
He continued, “The name and the coat of arms of the university remind us of Pentecost; the Apostles, gathered around Mary, received the Holy Spirit to bring the fire of divine love to the last corner of the earth.”
Then Fr. Jesús explained the past, present and future of Regina Apostolorum, “With this celebration, we begin the jubilee of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of our University. In our heart we find, [1] looking to the past, a fervent thanksgiving to God and to all the people who have done everything with so much love to make this possible; [2] looking to the future, a firm hope in divine assistance because, as we celebrated yesterday, his mercy is great; [3] and looking at the present, seeing around the altar this community of brothers, we feel more a university, which wants to speak truth in charity: veritatem facientes in caritate. The first truth we want to recognize is our condition of sinners.”
Cardinal Angelo Sodano’s Message
Cardinal Angelo Sodano sent his greetings and best wishes: “I gladly join you in this circumstance, even more so since I had already participated in the first decade of foundation of your University in 2003, where I gave the inaugural lecture of the Academic Year 2003-2004.”
He continued, “In these 25 years of the university’s life a great path has been laid and we really have the duty to give thanks to God for its great development… So I have nothing left to invite you to but to continue on your journey, collaborating with all the ecclesiastical universities of Rome, at the service of the Holy Church. On this anniversary of your foundation, I would like to express my wish that I already addressed you in 2003, which is that your Pontifical Athenaeum will continue to grow and love ever more the Holy Church of Christ and its saving doctrine for the men of every time.”
Card. Sodono then spoke of the Church, “Often we speak, and rightly, of a Church that is always reforming, but we must also ensure that the Church is always loving, like the Mother who has generated us in the supernatural life and who always enlightens us with the words of Christ’s Gospel. She nourishes with her sacraments and guides us with her shepherds. Therefore, it is right that all the love of her children should go to this mother.”
Q: I am 18 years old, still in high school. I have e-mailed before about how I want to convert to Catholicism, but my parents won’t allow it until I graduate. My conversion journey so far has been very difficult. My Baptist parents have many problems with the Church. I have started to feel ashamed of my Baptist upbringing and resentment toward my parents for making my search for truth so difficult and lonesome. I know they love me and have the best intentions. Please, how can I fight the temptation to resent them and my Protestant background? – J.
Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC
A: Thanks for your note. It’s not unusual that you are experiencing difficulties in your journey of conversion.
This is precisely the moment when the devil pulls out his bag of tricks and tries his best to distract and dissuade a soul from coming closer to Jesus.
As for your parents: This is a moment when Jesus is inviting you to love as he loves. Your parents are probably doing what they think is right: protecting the daughter they love from a Church they distrust.
Here you could recognize that, while they are objectively wrong, they might be subjectively right — in the sense that they are trying to follow their conscience. It is understandable that people who have lived in a Protestant setting all or most of their lives will have deeply formed views of the Catholic Church that aren’t easy to change.
So what to do? Perhaps a few suggestions might help.
First, remember that the real culprit here is the devil. He loves to stir up disunity in families, just as he stirred up disunity in the Church which led to the Reformation.
Second, intensify your prayers for your parents. More than a few converts have helped to bring loved ones into the Church by their example and prayers.
To keep the peace you might consider waiting until graduation to convert. You are certainly within your rights to enter the Church, and your deference to their desire could reassure them of your respect for them.
At a practical level, the best assurance you can give your parents about the legitimacy of your journey toward the Catholic Church is your own growth in charity. If they see you loving and persevering, that will make an impact on them. It might even get them to rethink their attitudes about Catholicism.
Third, keep your focus on Jesus and what he is asking of you. This is something you will need to do throughout your life. Today it’s your parents who are trying to distract you from the path you choose. Tomorrow it will be someone else. You want to keep your eye on the ball, so to speak. All the things and relationships of this world are passing. The love of Jesus endures.
In the meantime keep going deeper into Church teachings and cultivate a devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It will bring her joy to watch over a beloved daughter who wants to draw closer to her Son.
Today’s secular world throws curve balls at us all the time. AskACatholicPriest is a Q&A feature that anyone can use. Just type in your question or send an email to AskAPriest@rcspiritual.wpenginepowered.com and you will get a personal response back from one of our priests at RCSpirituality. You can ask about anything – liturgy, prayer, moral questions, current events… Our goal is simply to provide a trustworthy forum for dependable Catholic guidance and information. So go ahead and ask your question…
Q: One of my best friends has a cat that was adopted from one of her co-workers just slightly under two years ago. The cat was found as a kitten, abandoned in a dumpster along with the remainder of the litter left to die. She brought the kitten home and gave him a loving environment and named him JJ. JJ has been a part of our “family” ever since and is a joy to be around. He is extremely friendly for a cat, even to strangers. Now to the problem. Over the last 24 hours, JJ had been displaying signs and symptoms that were not of his usual self. He was lethargic, barely eating or drinking. We knew something was wrong. He was bloated on the sides with some sort of fluid, so we decided to call the emergency veterinarian hospital. The doctor notified us that JJ was suffering from an obstructed urethra. He was unable to release his bladder, hence the fluid buildup. The doctor advised us that the situation was dire, and JJ’s life was on the line. We were told that the only way to solve this problem was to use a general anesthetic and insert a catheter and remove the obstruction. The doctor noted that this was common in male indoor cats that are overweight. This would’ve been all fine; however, the doctor noted that in more than 50% of the cats that she sees with this, they will have a reoccurring issue with it. The doctor said she would write up an estimate for the procedure and the overnight care required if done. The bill was upward of $1,600. All in all, after everything was said and done, they said it would be close to $2,000. My friend and I sat in complete silence for a few minutes. My friend had no money, she was already in debt and didn’t make much money working two minimum-wage jobs. I thought to myself, “I can afford this. I have no debt and make good money.” The problem came when we realized it would likely be a recurring issue and would be faced yet again with another $2,000 charge. I called my mom for advice. My mom advised me to not pay for it, as it was a lot of money and “I have to work so hard for it.” To be honest, I didn’t care. I just wanted JB to be okay and alive, but I was swayed. We let JJ be put to sleep, due to something so frivolous as money. I feel quite sick with myself and have been asking myself, Did I do the right thing? Is God upset with me because I allowed my friend’s cat to die so short of his lifetime? – D.
Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC
A: The short answer is, you probably did the right thing. Perhaps a number from the Catechism is worth quoting here:
2418. It is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly. It is likewise unworthy to spend money on them that should as a priority go to the relief of human misery. One can love animals; one should not direct to them the affection due only to persons.
Notwithstanding the comfort that pets can bring, you might ask yourself whether it would have been justified spending $2,000 on a cat (and that’s probably just for starters, as you say) when there are millions of war refugees in the world and hundreds of millions in extreme poverty.
One statistic worth keeping in mind in the future: More than 760 million people (about 10% of the world’s population) live in extreme poverty, that is, they live on $1.90 or less per day.
That is the kind of thing we could all pray about when we decide how to spend money. Someday we will have to answer to Our Lord for how we used our resources.
None of this is meant to ignore the gift of animals. Our esteem for pets can be something good — God’s creatures can bring comfort and delight to our lives, after all. But we must be careful not to exaggerate the importance of our feelings of affection and appreciation for pets.
Today’s secular world throws curve balls at us all the time. AskACatholicPriest is a Q&A feature that anyone can use. Just type in your question or send an email to AskAPriest@rcspiritual.wpenginepowered.com and you will get a personal response back from one of our priests at RCSpirituality. You can ask about anything – liturgy, prayer, moral questions, current events… Our goal is simply to provide a trustworthy forum for dependable Catholic guidance and information. So go ahead and ask your question…
Claire Rivard, an ECYD member and a junior at Pinecrest Academy in Cumming, Georgia, won 3rd place for her entry in the USCCB Creating on the Margins National Art Competition.
Claire is a member of the St. John Paul II Chapter of the National Honor Society, incoming president of the Pinecrest National Art Honor Society, a varsity fencer who has competed in the US Junior Olympics, and an ECYD member who spent last summer serving as a missionary in the Houston area with ECYD Mission Corps.
She will graduate from Pinecrest Academy in 2019, and aspires to study Biochemistry in university, while also keeping her heart and future plans open to a possible vocation to the religious life.
The theme of the 2018 USCCB competition was “Share the Journey of Young Migrants and Refugees.” This competition engages students in learning about poverty in the U.S., its causes, and faith-inspired efforts to address it.
The Creating on the Margins competition is a tool to engage young people in the Gospel call of Luke 4:18 to bring good news to the poor, liberty to captives, sight to the blind, and freedom to the oppressed. Through their participation, students in grades 7-12 explore American problems of poverty or related issues such as migration, and the response of the Church.
The entries are evaluated on two components: the creativity of the work, and the essay answers submitted with the work to demonstrate proper understanding of how we are called to respond as disciples of Jesus when people are living in poverty in our communities.
The 2018 theme, “Share the Journey of Young Migrants and Refugees,” was selected to coincide with Pope Francis’ launch in September 2017 of a two year, world-wide campaign in support of migrants and refugees.
For Claire, love of God and love of the poor have always been connected. Her family has a long standing tradition of going out to meet and serve the homeless, and as an ECYD Mission Corps missionary last summer, her favorite apostolic work was going to the Catholic Charities immigrant center to care for the people who had just arrived in the border town of Brownsville Texas. She states that her faith pushes her from inside to go and serve the poor, and that making them smile in spite of their situations brings her deep joy.
Claire’s work was honored by Kat Doyle, Director of the Archdiocese of Atlanta’s Justice & Peace Ministries in the Office of Life, Dignity & Justice, on Tuesday, April 24th. Her art will be displayed in the office of the Archdiocese of Atlanta.
Claire credits her art teacher, Mrs. Alison Stone, as an example of an artist with a passion for evangelization and serving the Church who helps her to share her talents in the same way.
Title of work: The Effects of Faith and Community on the Lonely and Migrants
Artist Statement:
My tryptic mixed media artwork shows the process of young refugees being welcomed into the local Christian community. Through the power of God’s love, this process is transformative.
The imagery provides a view into how providing emotional love, food for one’s physical needs, and spiritual nourishment can transform a life and a family.
The first image illustrates the loneliness of a refugee family due to the isolation they experienced after the exodus from their homeland.
The second image depicts a young migrant who has encountered a loving member of the Catholic community. This child has been supported and nurtured with with faith, hope and love, as well as being ministered to in her physical needs.
The final image is of the grand opening of a Catholic community center where the refugees’ family, other migrant families and local families build a thriving community together.
Our faith calls us to do this work of social justice because as Catholics we believe that every person is created in the image and likeness of God. And in believing that, we are called to acknowledge the humanity, needs, and goodness in other people by serving them, being there for them, and loving them through actions and words. All people deserve to receive love that respects their dignity and allows them to thrive.
Q: Last night we were out with two couples, and one couple brought up that their butcher asked them if they were Christian. They said, “Yes,” and he said, “Me, too – I was a Catholic Christian and now I’m just Christian.” The butcher went on to say that he didn’t need all those restrictions, rules, etc. – that we just need to be good people, that’s all Jesus wants of us. Both couples agreed wholeheartedly with that (three are Protestant and one is an ex-Catholic who goes to services with his wife). And then we moved on to other conversation. It’s been bothering me ever since, that neither my husband nor I defended our Catholic faith and Jesus. We have no courage! I went to confession about it, and my priest said that I have to love Jesus enough to want to talk about him – that it’s a great joy to have/know Jesus. I agree completely, but I don’t know how! What could/should I have said? I wish there were courses on this or videos or something. I wanted to say something but did not know what. I have the same trouble with my brother and sister who are now big megachurch fans. They say God loves everybody and all faiths are on their own journey to God. What would you suggest I say/do? – E.
Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC
A: Your priest gave a great answer. We are enthusiastic about people we love. We talk about them. We think about them. It’s much the same with Jesus.
A short addendum to that answer would be to try to permeate your life in the Catholic faith as much as possible. Loving Christ and wanting to share your experience of him with others is the sign of a Catholic who has caught fire with the faith.
This involves different levels. The most important is your prayer life and sacramental life.
It would help, too, to give yourself the goal of learning more about your faith. Give yourself the goal of, say, reading the New Testament in full between now and the end of the year. Or reading a book of Catholic apologetics (defense of the faith) at least every three months. One suggestion: The Essential Catholic Survival Guide is a handy work.
There are lots of fine contemporary Catholic apologists and scholars such as Peter Kreeft, Karl Keating, Patrick Madrid, Jeff Cavins, Bishop Robert Barron, and Trent Horn. And they only represent the tip of the iceberg.
Look into what Catholic publishers such as Ignatius Press, Ascension Press, OSV, and Sophia (to name a few) are offering. There are hundreds of fine books that will help you delve deeper into the faith.
You might look into helping out at your parish, too. You might organize adoration for vocations and get a Bible study going.
Evangelization, like charity, begins at home. What do you and your husband talk about in the normal course of a day? Do you touch on the faith? About events going on in the universal Church or your own diocese? Do you discuss Catholic books or periodicals that you read?
If you can weave those things into daily conversation, it will be easier to speak about them with others.
If ever you run into this situation again, don’t get discouraged. Learn from your mistakes. If someone raises an objection to the Church, and you don’t have an answer, do some research. Catholic Answers is a great resource. You and your spouse can talk through ways to deal with some questions that arise.
In other words, you want to jump in the deep end of the pool when it comes to your faith. Read about it. Talk about it. Display signs of your faith proudly.
And remember – big point! – to pray for folks who either are hostile to the Church or who have left it.
Today’s secular world throws curve balls at us all the time. AskACatholicPriest is a Q&A feature that anyone can use. Just type in your question or send an email to AskAPriest@rcspiritual.wpenginepowered.com and you will get a personal response back from one of our priests at RCSpirituality. You can ask about anything – liturgy, prayer, moral questions, current events… Our goal is simply to provide a trustworthy forum for dependable Catholic guidance and information. So go ahead and ask your question…
Last summer YOU! Magazine – Thirst for the real stuff interviewed Fr Adam Zettel, LC, about WhyNotPriest in German. Here is the English translation of the interview provided by Fr Adam. The interview was published prior to his ordination to the priesthood, which happened on December 16th, 2017.
Can you tell us something about yourself, your origin, your family and briefly explain to us your campaign WhyNotPriest?
My name is Father Adam Zettel, I’m a deacon now, to be ordained a priest this December, and I help with an amazing apostolate campaign called WhyNotPriest? This year the campaign took me and some of my brother seminarians to the youth festival in Salzburg for Pentecost, where we played music, were joined by hundreds of young people and played soccer tennis on the city streets, spreading everywhere the message of how joyful you can be in the vocation to the priesthood.
What was the reason for you to become a priest?
When I was in high school I played the drums in a band – we used to go to a lot of events for Catholic youth and play at concerts, adorations, and Mass. I loved travelling, packing up all our guitars, drums, and speakers in a big van and going to another city to perform. I also had a girlfriend, and as I was finishing school and preparing to go to university. I wasn’t thinking at all of being a priest. I knew though, that God was the most important thing in my life, and that doing his will was what really mattered to me. I just thought for sure he wanted me to get married some day… except when someone spoke about the priesthood, which for a long time made me feel a strange tugging in my heart.
One night I was at a healing Mass in my parish. The priest sat down after communion, and with the microphone, told everyone present that he felt the Holy Spirit telling him that someone there was called to be a priest. “If you say yes” he said “you will be happy for the rest of your life”. I felt the same thing as I had felt before, an irresistible pull, but I wanted to resist it so much. I decided that I would think about it, but keep it a secret and not say anything to my girlfriend, who was also there at the Mass. After Mass she approached me and asked if I thought I was the one Father had mentioned. There was no way I could say no. After this event I gave in and let go, and began pursuing the vocation to the priesthood. It was very hard, but what that priest said was true, I have been very happy and fulfilled saying yes to God.
What fascinates you most about being a priest?
It’s fascinating that as a priest I can change people’s lives in a profound and existential way, that what people are hungering for more than anything else is exactly what a priest can give them. People need to know the mercy of God and they can find it in the words of a priest, in his preaching, in confession, in spiritual direction, and most of all in the Eucharist. It fascinates me that God would want to use a person who’s just normal, who’s even weak and imperfect, to do something so great, bringing his power and grace into the world. And it is really amazing that he does that!
What was your biggest obstacle on the way to priesthood?
Like many young men, I knew from long before entering the seminary that the one thing holding me back from being a priest was having to give up the possibility of being married and forming a family. Everything else about the priesthood seemed to be exactly what I wanted: being able to preach the Good news as part of my profession, guiding and counselling people in need, spending more time in prayer, living in a community of brothers with the same values and good desires… there was just that one big sacrifice that at times seemed too hard to give up.
But as I came closer to Christ, I began to understand better what the calling to a life of celibacy meant: not that I had to stop loving or love people less, but just the opposite, I would be able to love people more, and to love more people! I would even be able to be a father to infinitely more people by being a priest. At one point I found a lot of help in the Gospel that describes Mary breaking a jar of precious, costly perfume to anoint Jesus. I felt the desire to show how much I loved him by giving him that which is most precious to me, and something which is of great value.
What does faith mean to you? How would you describe faith to someone who is not believing in God himself?
Faith is actually something pretty normal, when you think about it. We use it all the time. When the doctor tells me I have this or that disease, and tells me to take a certain medicine, I believe him, because I know he has studied it. Maybe he has never even used that medicine, but he himself believes it will work because of a study done by someone else. Faith in God and in Jesus Christ works kind of like that. We weren’t there when Jesus did his miracles or rose from the dead, but some people were, his disciples, and they have told people about it who have told others, and passed it on to us, to me. Of course, I have to believe, and trust the people who have told me, but if I do, the same thing can happen as someone who takes medicine, he experiences for himself that it works.
Maybe some people get discouraged if they try believing but don’t “feel better” right away. With this medicine, you have to trust for a long time before seeing the effects. Or maybe some people give up when they see Christians who say they believe but aren’t really happy or live incoherent lives. That’s why I think the best argument for taking the leap of faith is the example of holy, happy Christians. I have met many: men and women who are extremely happy, fulfilled, and satisfied. And if you believe me I would say the same about my life. I threw myself in with an act of faith, I tried it, and it proved to be true.
Why should I become a priest? Would that not be something that will take away my freedom?
The priesthood is an amazing adventure! I would say to any guy who begins to feel pulled towards the priesthood, that he should let himself be pulled, and take the courageous step to start discerning. The priesthood is a huge honor, a grace that no man is worthy of, but that God gives out of his special love towards the one he calls. It doesn’t take away your freedom. It makes you so much more free. It makes you free to love everyone, the whole world, to love many, many souls in a way much greater than you could ever love on your own. By calling you to be a priest, God gives you an infinitely greater capacity to do good in the world.
What advice would you give to a young man who is considering a vocation to priesthood and is struggling with it?
Be courageous! Don’t be afraid of the sacrifices you’ll have to make. If God gives you the grace of having this vocation, he will also make you very happy doing it. Some might be tempted to think their talents would be wasted on the priesthood. Not at all! God wants and needs young men with talents and with something great to offer to the world. The Church needs you, and souls need you! So be a real man and take the challenge!
Can you give us some advice on how to discern our vocation?
There are two things that are really important: Spiritual Direction and Prayer. First you need the advice of a good, holy priest who can guide you in listening to God and understanding where he is directing you. You need to be open to him and tell him everything that might help him understand you completely. Yes, you need to be totally sincere with yourself and with him, admit that (if it’s what God wants) you’re not going to try to get out of it. Just openly seek to know what he really wants.
The second thing is prayer. Spend some time every day with Christ in the Eucharist. If you are called to be a priest, you’re called to have a special relationship with the Eucharist, so there is the best place to hear the call and develop that relationship. Read the Bible. The words will speak to you and give you light about what God wants. And whatever you feel and experience in prayer, speak about it with your spiritual director.
How would you describe God? Who is God for you?
God is all love and goodness. And all love and goodness comes from him. For me, to think about him, I have to remember that I’m a creature, and that my life and existence are good because he has just chosen to make me and share his goodness with me, for no reason at all, other than love. He also wanted to redeem me, and show me love, in the person of Jesus. I keep that in mind and try to remember that everything I have is from him and I owe him everything. My life is full of the certainty that to touch him is to have everything I need, and that to do that all I need is enter inside my own heart in prayer, in faith.
What makes the Catholic church special? What is significant?
The Catholic Church is a family, a big group of friends who are united in a way that no other human group is united. It’s like a big party, but where everyone has a special connection of love between them and every other person in the room. I think that description is actually pretty accurate, because in the Church we’re already connected with those who are in heaven. It’s like being in a group chat with millions of members, but instead of being connected by phones or devices, our hearts are united. That is why the Eucharist and the other sacraments are so beautiful: they are moments of connection with the whole family.
What was the coolest thing you ever did since you started to follow your vocation?
There are lots of cool things I did in my years as a seminarian. I played the drums in a music video for WhyNotPriest, and have been blessed to be able to travel to Germany and Austria on missions. I’ve performed music for Pope Francis too. But I think the thing that is really the coolest is being able to share my faith with others. When you take the time to listen to someone who is struggling a lot, and give some words of advice, and see the change in their life over time… that is really cool. Or when I’ve had the opportunity to distribute communion to hundreds of people in Saint Peter’s square, nourishing their souls with the healing Bread from heaven. I think as a priest, in a few months, these experiences will only be multiplied and be much more real, when I can forgive sins in confession and consecrate the Eucharist at Mass.
What are your hobbies/interests?
Well I think it’s obvious one of my biggest hobbies is music and singing! I play drums, guitar, and a little bit of the hammered dulcimer. I love writing songs and have also done some compositions for our seminary band and for the liturgy. Last year I was blessed to compose and sing the psalm for the ordinations Mass for my brothers who were being ordained priests. I also like to run for exercise, play some soccer and love hiking in the mountains.
Who is your favourite saint?
St Thérèse of Lisieux. I have already booked my first Mass at a church dedicated to her in Rome. She has been an inspiration to me for years with her example of childlike simplicity and her teaching on unconditional trust in God. I’ve asked her to pray for very special intentions several times, and a few times have received direct answers to my prayers. I think that she more than anyone else has discovered what it means to receive the kingdom of God like a little child.
What do you think about the Quote: ain’t no party like a catholic party, cause a catholic party don’t stop!
The real party is the one that never stops, the one that we can only begin to experience here on earth, in an amazing way, but which will be complete and perfect only when we get to heaven. And we should be living our lives constantly desiring to get there, and to be more and more a part of that party, even here on this earth! The amazing thing is that it’s a party which is completely different from the parties of the world, which very often takes place in silence, and is not visible at all. Our mission with WhyNotPriest? is one that involves a lot of “partying”, which people see and love to be a part of. But our hope is that people will get into the deeper party, that our testimony be an invitation and a door to go beyond the singing and the noise, and into that awesome party which we share with God, who wants us to celebrate with him forever!
Q: I’m so worried and concerned about my family. I have an agnostic father, very good Islamic friends, and other friends who are atheists. I really love these people, but they are not the type to listen to me talk about Jesus. They are quite confident in their own beliefs. My Islamic friends are brought up in that lifestyle and don’t believe in Jesus the way I do. My atheist friends don’t believe in anything in the Bible. And even though I respect that, I worry. I understand that the only way to God is through faith of Jesus Christ as the Son of God. But can you say there might be a chance that the people I love are judged as individuals by God? Is there any hope for those who have different beliefs? – S.
Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC
A: The short answer is yes, people of other faiths and even of no explicit faith could attain salvation.
Permit me to quote from a Church document, Lumen Gentium, which came out of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965):
“But the plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator. In the first place among these there are the Muslims, who, professing to hold the faith of Abraham, along with us adore the one and merciful God, who on the last day will judge mankind. Nor is God far distant from those who in shadows and images seek the unknown God, for it is He who gives to all men life and breath and all things, and as Savior wills that all men be saved. Those also can attain to salvation who through no fault of their own do not know the Gospel of Christ or His Church, yet sincerely seek God and moved by grace strive by their deeds to do His will as it is known to them through the dictates of conscience. Nor does Divine Providence deny the helps necessary for salvation to those who, without blame on their part, have not yet arrived at an explicit knowledge of God and with His grace strive to live a good life” (No. 16).
The idea of salvation for atheists would need to be qualified, however, since people can reach a certainty of the existence of God based on reason. But in theory they too still have a chance, as Lumen Gentium says.
One observation might be good to keep in mind. If you find that you can’t speak about Jesus around these folks, you might want to be sure you aren’t endangering your own spiritual life.
One of the things that helps us in our Catholic faith is being able to share it and live it with others. In your relationships with these people, you need to keep learning how to do that in a loving, creative, constructive way.
If you find that you need to bracket off your religious beliefs from your interaction with your friends and family, that isn’t healthy.
Ideally, our faith should encompass all aspects of our lives — what we speak about, what we read, etc.
One suggestion would be to look for ways to network with believers with whom you can speak of the faith. Perhaps this is something to take to prayer. And keep praying for those people you love so much.
Today’s secular world throws curve balls at us all the time. AskACatholicPriest is a Q&A feature that anyone can use. Just type in your question or send an email to AskAPriest@rcspiritual.wpenginepowered.com and you will get a personal response back from one of our priests at RCSpirituality. You can ask about anything – liturgy, prayer, moral questions, current events… Our goal is simply to provide a trustworthy forum for dependable Catholic guidance and information. So go ahead and ask your question…
Alex Kucera has lived in Atlanta, GA, for the last 46 years. He is one of 9 children, married to his wife Karmen, and has 3 girls, one grandson, and a granddaughter on the way. Alex joined Regnum Christi in 2007. Out of the gate, he joined the Helping Hands Medical Missions apostolate and is still participating today with the Ghana Friendship Mission.
In 2009, Alex was asked to be the Atlanta RC Renewal Coordinator for the Atlanta Locality to help the RC members with the RC renewal process. Alex became a Group Leader in 2012 for four of the Atlanta Men’s Section Teams and continues today. Running in parallel, in 2013, Alex became a Team Leader and shepherded a large team of good men.
Alex was honored to be the Atlanta Mission Coordinator between 2010 to 2022 (12 years), coordinating 5-8 Holy Week Mission teams across Georgia. He also created and coordinated missions at a parish in Athens, GA, for 9 years. Alex continues to coordinate Holy Week Missions, Advent Missions, and Monthly missions at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Cumming, GA.
From 2016 to 2022, Alex also served as the Men’s Section Assistant in Atlanta. He loved working with the Men’s Section Director, the Legionaries, Consecrated, and Women’s Section leadership teams.
Alex is exceptionally grateful to the Legionaries, Consecrated, and many RC members who he’s journeyed shoulder to shoulder, growing his relationship with Christ and others along the way. He knows that there is only one way, that’s Christ’s Way, with others!
On April 9, 2018, the 
What fascinates you most about being a priest?
What does faith mean to you? How would you describe faith to someone who is not believing in God himself?
Can you give us some advice on how to discern our vocation?
Who is your favourite saint?