Catholics/higher states of life

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Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 8/9/2009


Question
Dear Fr. Timothy,

We have an ongoing argument, mostly in the good sense of the word, on campus regarding whether or not it is acceptable to refer to religious vocations as "higher" (or "better" c.f. 1 Cor 7). Several points were brought up on both sides, the one I am particularly interested in is, paraphrased:

A: The Church has used the term "higher" for many centuries because it is helpful in context.
B: Vocations cannot be ranked. Vatican II did away with that terminology.

Unfortunately, I won't have time in the near future to read Vatican II, but I am skeptical of the second claim. Do you know which passages of Vatican II might be helpful for understanding?

Thanks for your time,
-Meghan

Answer
Hi, Meghan, and thanks for the question...

Keep the arguments going, and talk about these matters in order to discover and grasp a greater meaning and experience of the realities associated with different states-in-life.  The Church has throughout the centuries made reference to Jesus' praise of Mary of Bethany for "choosing the better part" by remaining with Jesus at His feet, having conversation with Him.
I would not say precisely that "Vatican II did away with" some certain terminology; I woul dhave to point to a document such as "Lumen Gentium" of Vatican II that underscored the importance of the universal call to holiness of ALL the Baptized: Laity, Religious, and Clergy.
I suppose we could say that "you and I both" are pretty skeptical about what certain people might claim Vatican II to have said or done, especially in regards to the Sacred Liturgy.  Lumen Gentium is a lengthy document, but it follows a pretty logical flow in its set up.  I believe that you could easily find something about the "universal call to holiness" in a quick skim through its pages...

Fr. Timothy Johnson

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Fr. Timothy Johnson

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A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.

Experience

I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.

Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)

Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology; MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary; 2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality. BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy; BA - Liberal Arts; AA - General Studies.

Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15. Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office. I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church. Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.

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