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“God or the Girl”–conclusion

If you haven’t seen the show or do not want to know the end results (and our opinions), stop reading here.

We watched the last two episodes last night. We were not generally surprised with the end results.

Joe, to his own admission, is an attention seeker. I think that’s how he ended up on the show. He never really showed signs of wanting to become a priest outside of his mom’s expectations of him to become a priest. Although the pilgrimage was probably a good learning experience, it didn’t seal his fate as a priest. I didn’t think it would, but we were hopeful. Adam was once told that a man who would make a good husband, would make a good priest and vice versa. It didn’t seem that Joe is emotionally mature enough to be either…yet. He has a lot of growing and soul searching to do still.

Dan…at one point Adam and I both shook our heads and said, “oh, Dan.” In episode 4 he was confronted by an envangelical fundamentalist who challenged his faith. It would have been SO AWESOME if Dan could have answered this guy’s attack of the Catholic Church. But alas, Dan could not. Then at long last, “the girl” was introduced into the picture. It was a relief, that he announced he was postponing his discernment. Although, at the 6 month re-visit, he was back with the girl. We pray that he listens to a little bit of Tim Staples, Jesse Romero, or Scott Hahn! With a little apolgetics under his belt, he’s going to be an even better youth minister!

Way to go Steve! When we saw that he was going to announce his decision to his parish, Adam said, “I don’t think the priest would let him get up there and say, ‘I’ve decided not to become a priest and eventually marry a person I haven’t met yet.’” That would be silly wouldn’t it! His was a great story of discernment. My personal opinion is that he had the best priests guiding him. Every priest I know from a county south of the US, has a special way of saying what you need to hear and having the perfect and most humble way of conveying their message. Fr. Jorge was no exception. God bless Steve in his vocation!

“God or the Girl”

After petitioning a few people to record the 5 part series on A&E, “God or the Girl,” we finally sat down to start watching it this week.  We still have two episodes left to watch.

 So far, I have quite liked it.  Adam has an issue with the fact that not once in the first three episodes has the term VOCATION been mentioned.  Most Catholics do not know what VOCATION means, so I’m not surprised that it is a term that has been avoided.  The only other thing that I find silly is the fact that the commentator continues to say that these young men only have “one week left” to decide.  In “reality” they don’t.  But other than that….

I like that they are portraying these devout Catholic young men and their real struggles.  It is not easy to discern the call of your vocation.  I still remember when Adam was discerning his vocation while we were dating.  We were not at all surprised when Mike chose his teaching job and his girlfriend.  It was awesome to hear them talking about living chastely before marriage.  It is not a loss for the priesthood as there is an equal need for holy husbands that will witness to the faith. 

I like Dan, the Fort Zion youth minister that literally was sent to carry his cross.  It’s so excellent that they showed the youth praying at the abortion clinic!  Rock on!  When his spiritual director told him to literally carry a cross 22 miles to a neighboring parish, Adam remarked, “what’s the point in that!?”  Penance dear…penance.  I simply said, “Remember, St. Catherine of Siena would ‘discipline’ herself with chains and St. Francis used a rock as his pillow.”

Steve is an interesting character as well.  Adam thinks he’ll go to seminary as Steve has made a huge sacrifice already giving up his job, money, and cushy lifestyle.  I’m interested to see the next episode when he’s in Guatemala.  I think it’ll seal the deal.  It takes great humility to admit yourself unworthy and afraid. 

Joe…Joe needs to resolve issues with his mom.  He’s on his pilgrimage to the Carmelite retreat house near Niagra falls.  I think it interesting that he has chosen to live as the poor and homeless.  We’ll see what becomes of the remaining three.