Happy Are You Poor

[Tussiemussies]

I just found out about this today, by Father Dubay. Poor in the title means frugal. It is written from a Catholic perspective, but I thought some of you might be interested. It is available on Amazon or though Ignacious Press....

[lessisbest]

Is this a reference to the Beatitudes in Matthew 5? Because as a former Catholic, there is NOTHING "poor" or frugal about the Catholic Church because it's basically a mega business. I'm waiting for the Pope to have a giant liquidation sale and getting rid of anything and everything that is of value owned by the Church, and giving it to help the poor. Then I'll believe they are serious about taking the vow of poverty. Our parish priest owned his own plane, played golf, drank expensive wines, enjoyed the "good" life. The Bishop lived in one of the most expensive homes in town. Poverty had little influence.

[freshstart]

I agree. First pope I ever cared about, seems like he could enact sweeping change, his thoughts on secular topics are great but get your own house in order first. I have met 2-3 priests who actually lived a life of poverty. I worked for a Catholic chain, so had many opportunities to care for our company's higher ups when they became ill. Life of poverty was laughable and the majority of these "higher ups" were nuns. I respected how hard these nuns worked to get these degrees and thought it was good they were used instead of outsiders but if you whole heartedly take a vow of poverty, do it, no matter how high up the food chain you get. Speculation was that they had to "keep up" with secular folks. The seculars could not understand a vow of poverty? Or our company would be taken less seriously if they did? We were part of a huge Catholic chain up the Eastern coast and then became part of a company with 89k employees. Vow of poverty? No one cared then or ever.

The Pope, Bishops on down do not seem to take issue with any of this. When I got our weekly giving envelopes, I have $2 for me $1 per kid and told the priest, that is what I as a single mom can easily give and I'm tired of being asked to ceaselessly give for things we don't need (massively gorgeous new church building fund) and not giving to those whom need us. I get they rely on donations, well, these would be ours, take them or leave them, he took them.

[catherine]

Thanks, Chris. Your post attracted my attention because I've always been fascinated by the Christian take on poverty. I'm interested in Catholic social justice, such as that practiced by Dorothy Day, for instance.

And coincidentally, I happen to be in Rome on business and right at this moment I can practically see the Vatican from my window. I have one day of leisure and I've always wanted to go to the Vatican. Pope Francis is in town and I'm hoping to see him give the Angelus in St. Peter's Square.

Even though I'm not Catholic anymore, I was raised Catholic, and wanted to be a nun at one point. There's a lot I don't agree with when it comes to the Roman Catholic Church, but I sometimes feel like I'm also an apologist for it, because for all its wrongs and misguided dogma, there are a LOT of people who have done great things as Catholics: Dorothy Day is one, and also Oscar Romero is another modern Catholic activist. Also in modern times, two of my favorite spiritual writers are Anthony deMello and Richard Rohr--both of whom transcend the boundaries of religious dogma.

Pope Francis has a huge job ahead of him if he's to actually dismantle the Church's business-as-usual to his liking, but he definitely has pointed out some serious truths about money and the Church--and capitalism's inherent flaws as well.

I might take a look at this book by Father Dubay--it looks really good! Maybe I'll find a copy in a Vatican bookstore! (Hopefully in English)

[Tussiemussies]

Neat Catherine that when you read this post you were in Rome where you could see the Vatican!

I too was raised Catholic and have looked into many religions and don't agree with a lot -- most of them, but I do take tidbits from here and there from religions and do fall back on my Catholic roots a lot, from the points I agree with.

I have been studying something called Concept-Therapy for about twenty-five years and the basis is new thought but it goes more in depth.

I always loved watching Father Dubay on EWTN and was glad when I saw this book I have been very compelled to read it.

Guess you have been working very hard, haven't seen you on SL in as bit!

Christine

[Xmac]

Saw a cool line today:

"Some people are so poor all they have is money."

[Tussiemussies]

LOL -- Xmac

Hi again Catherine

Last night I started reading this book and found it be very redundant. I hoping the next few chapters will be better. I thi k one poster also said they had a hard time reading it too.....

[catherine]

I'm back from Rome, and I did see the Pope do the Angelus. It was really fun, even though he was this little spot up in the window (they did have big-screen images of him in the Square, however). I also got to see some of the museum, although I was very pressed for time. But I saw the Sistine Chapel, which was really unbelievable. However, even the hallways getting to the Chapel were unbelievable! Just lined with antiquities, murals, tapestries, sculptures, etc. etc. Incredible.

I haven't gotten the Father Dubay book yet, but maybe I'll wait for your thumbs-up/thumbs-down. However, I did get a copy of Laudato Si'--the Papal encyclical on the environment, as you know.


ETA: Just a comment: I HATE the name of the book. Seems very grammatically awkward.

[LDAHL]

I'm a Catholic, and consider the Church to be one of history's great institutions. There are imperfections in plenty, but I long ago gave up on demanding perfection in this plane of existence.