Why are Catholic Priests required to be celibate? Is this simply an 'archaic law', as some critics claim... or is it something much deeper? In this extremely open and detailed account by a Catholic Priest on what it is like to live a celibate life, Fr. Michael de Stoop breaks open the myths behind the mystery of celibacy - and reveals the beauty and honour of having the gift of a celibate vocation.

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Ten years after a historic papal response to clerical sex abuse, the Vatican urged priests to strive for greater holiness in their own lives so that they might effectively minister to others and reverse the tide of atheism.

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It was day to remember for 9 deacons who were ordained on this World Day of Prayer for Religious Vocations by Pope Benedict XVI in St Peter’s Basilica. Eight of the deacons were from the diocese of Rome, one a former pilot, another a chemistry graduate. Also ordained on Sunday was a deacon from Vietnam who had previously been a lawyer.

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On Sunday, the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Pope Benedict XVI asked families, communities and local parishes to help young men in discerning their vocation to the priesthood.

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Theme: Vocations, the Gift of the Love of God

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Leading up to the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of the Clergy, held on the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (this year, June 15), the Congregation for Clergy has written a letter to priests.

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Over the past few months, in the silence of an ancient Abbey, a community of 35 nuns have been praying and working towards Congress. They are Ireland’s only community of enclosed Cistercian women religious from St Mary’s Abbey, Glencairn and they have been given the task of producing the 250 thousand Eucharistic breads for consecration at the Masses that will be the focal point the 50th International Eucharistic Congress, taking place in Dublin, Ireland, from 10-17 June, 2012.

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A recent study of men and women who professed perpetual vows in 2011 shows that new members of religious orders are younger and more educated than those in the past.

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If you think a young man may have a vocation to the priesthood, tell him so.

Christian families should be a happy and loving environment in which young people can discern calls to the priesthood or religious life, Pope Benedict XVI says in his message for the World Day of Prayers for Vocations. The 49th World Day of Prayer for Vocations will be celebrated on April 29 with the theme, “Vocations, the Gift of the Love of God.”

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