Religious Vocation: An Unnecessary Mystery

by Richard Butler

The question of discerning a vocation is agonized over by many generous young Catholics today. A solid Thomist, who wrote this book in 1961, Father Butler shows that this type of question shows a totally wrong approach to a religious vocation - an approach that began with misguided theology in the 20th century, which then trickled down to the popular level, confusing both aspirants and spiritual directors. Though Fr. Butler deals primarily with vocations to the religious life, he also gives the classic guidelines on priestly vocations. The author states, based on the tradition of the Church, that religious vocation is not uncommon, rare or extraordinary and that it does not require an introspective search for some special voice or attraction. This book provides welcome, intelligent guidance both for spiritual directors and for those considering the religious life or that of the priesthood!

Genres: Nonfiction, Catholic, Religion, Spirituality

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1962

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

One of six children, Fr. Richard Butler was bom in Salem, Massachusetts in 1918. He attended prep schools before going on to undergraduate studies at Notre Dame University and the Catholic University of America. Upon entering the Dominican Order in 1942, the author studied philosophy and theology at the Domincan House of Studies in River Forest, Illinois. He was ordained in 1949. That year, Father Butler began two years of study at the Angelicum in Rome, where he received his doctorate in philosophy in 1952.
Fr. Butler's most active years were spent in teaching and campus ministry, particularly through various Newman Centers; from 1962-1964 he served as National Chaplain of the Newman Apostolate. In 1974-1975, during a "sabbatical," he taught at the University of Dallas' Rome campus. Fr. Butler received numerous awards over the years, including the Notre Dame Man of the Year award.
In 1965 Fr. Butler had been appointed consultor to the Vatican's Secretariat for Unbelievers. In 1976, in response to a growing need, Fr. Butler undertook to oversee the revision and republication of the Dominican Order's Challenge of Christ high school religion series.
Vocational work was always of great interest to Father, and he wrote material for his order on this subject, as well as making a special study of vocational theology. A regular speaker on college campuses, as well as a contributor to several magazines, including Commonweal and The Critic, Father Butler also authored The Mind of Santayana (Regnery, 1955) and The Life and World of George Santayana (Regnery, 1960). In these books he explored the thought of this baptized "confused skeptic" whom he had known as a personal friend. Santayana had spent his life standing "at the church door"—an agnostic situation which Fr. Butler felt was shared by many 20th-century men. In Fr. Butler's last book, Witness to Change: A Cultural Memoir, he recounted and offered a critical analysis of developments that he had seen in the Church and in society during the years from 1925 to 1975.
Fr. Butler went to his reward in 1988 after suffering a cardiac arrest while visiting his family in Massachusetts. His grave is located in the Dominican plot at All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, Illinois.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8...

Reviews

[Becca Maginn · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you can, and you are willing, then you ought.

This was the book's premise; an interesting and thought-provoking take on a much spoken about topic. If Butler is correct, then a majority of directors and faithful laity have been abducted by the modern notion of feelings and desires being the primary motivators in vocational choice. If Butler is incorrect, then such a book could lead to many selecting the 'wrong' vocation due to an inclination one seeking holiness will naturally have towards a complete gift to He who the soul seeks. As the reader, through prayer and counsel, the choice is rather pivotal, as the camp to which they fall is a question of eternal significance.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

The argument of this book is rather simple, and focuses on St Thomas, that is, Christ invites us all to religious life, it’s not some special “calling” in which the Blessed Virgin comes down and hands you a scroll in latin that tells you to be a priest, certain people feel drawn towards it, some have the personality for it naturally, but all are called to it. Obviously the author discusses things that would be a hinderance or even reason to not allow it, such as if a man was an active homosexual with no chastity, or had debt or family obligations. He discusses other issues and other details and deeper detail, but this book was a breath of fresh air, especially since V2, in which even trad priests talk about the “mystical calling” that often leaves one discerning for eternity!

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Thomistic look at vocations, especially to the religious life. Explains why the common conception of waiting for "a calling" is false.

[ShepherdsDelight · Rating 5 out of 5]

87/100 (= 5.1/6) ≈ 5 Stars

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Excellent read. Great thoughts on the Will of God and It's role in a vocation.

[Luke Mohan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A necessary reminder for our times. This book rejects the call to a religious vocation as “special” or “rare,” and instead emphasize that everyone is called to Christian perfection. The Lord counsels us to take on the counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience because they are the EASIEST way to achieve this goal. Fr. Butler also rejects attraction theory, which holds that a subjective calling is the most important factor in determining entrance into religious life.

[Paul Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly must-read for any consodering the religious vocation, or simply wishing to understand it better. This book dispel the "unnecessary mystery" that a religious vocation is something requiring a misty internal call to the individual, rather than being a general call to all the faithful with right disposition. Fr. Butler brings clarity to an often mysticized topic.

[T. S. Russell]

"Religious vocation is a divine invitation, extended to all by Jesus Christ, to the practice of the evangelical counsels in the religious state, to a capable subject, under the impetus of grace, responds through generous devotion." - page 152

[Argene Clasara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended to all who are discerning to enter religious life. It treats the nature of religious life in the eyes of Saint Thomas Aquinas.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting concepts regarding vocation.

[Camden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short treatise to the unnecessary mystery of being invited or challenged to the religious life. Everyone should read this as they discern their state in life and what God wills for them.

[Gabi Paffumi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spiritual directors, religious superiors and everyone “discerning” should read this book! It really changed my view on vocations and provided clarity and relief in my own discernment.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very succinct, and practical advice.

[Becca Brady]

I understand where he's coming from, but in the words of one of my novitiate companions, this book is "terrifying." Why? Read it in find out- I'll come visit you in the convent or seminary.