Do priests make a vow of poverty?
Do priests make a vow of poverty?
Question: As Catholics, we all understand a priest’s promise of poverty. Nevertheless, how does the Church interpret it, and what are the restrictions? For instance, many priests reside in community settings, but do they receive a salary? Who covers their travel expenses? Is there a cap on the number of gifts they may accept? Are they permitted to possess a collection of possessions like books, films, and so forth?
— Kevin, Northridge, California
Answer: First and foremost, it is important to draw a distinction. Diocesan priests do not take a vow of poverty, while priests belonging to religious orders do. Regarding diocesan priests, they are certainly urged to lead a simple lifestyle and not prioritize the accumulation of wealth. Most diocesan priests earn a modest annual salary ranging from $35,000 to $40,000. Additionally, many of their significant expenses are covered by the parish or diocese. This includes housing, food, medical and dental insurance, and a portion of a retirement fund. Typically, priests are responsible for purchasing their own clothing, vehicle, and personal items that are not directly related to their ministry.
Regarding religious priests, they indeed commit to a vow of poverty. However, this does not imply that they exist in a state of hardship. Instead, it signifies that they possess nothing personally. Any earnings they obtain from teaching, parish work, or similar activities are allocated to the community rather than to themselves. From their religious community, they are provided with essential needs such as housing, meals, clothing, medical coverage, and more. If they have access to a vehicle, it is owned by the community, not by them. All necessary expenses must receive authorization and be funded by the religious community. Even their personal toothbrush, while used individually, is owned by and provided through the community.
In previous times, religious individuals who worked in our schools and parishes in various capacities received minimal compensation; however, this situation cannot persist any longer. Parishes and other Catholic organizations are now required to provide a fair wage to ensure that religious communities have the necessary resources for their members. Consequently, specific pay scales are established by the bishops’ conference and dioceses to represent this need. Particularly in the present day, health insurance is highly expensive for priests and sisters, especially in religious communities and dioceses with a significant population of elderly priests and sisters.
It is an extraordinary fact that the real expense of a priest for the majority of parishes approaches $100,000. This is primarily attributed to the significant cost of health insurance. Priests, in particular, do not represent a well population. Stress and various other elements lead to overall poor health. Additionally, the necessity to support retired priests, many of whom spend time in nursing homes, increases the medical expenses significantly. God bless the devoted who are benevolent and compassionate towards their priests and religious!
The Rosary
Question: Did the Rosary originate directly from God (or Mary) through some form of divine revelation, or was it created by man (or woman)?
— Jack Wolock, via email
Answer: There exists a tale that St. Dominic was given the Rosary directly from Mary in a vision and that he was responsible for creating and spreading it. However, the earliest records of his life do not reference the Rosary, and the Dominican chronicles do not associate it with him. Nonetheless, the Rosary appears to have gained prominence during the 13th century in which he lived. The practice of praying with beads is indeed a relatively ancient tradition that predates and extends far beyond Christendom. The Rosary, as we recognize it today, began to shape itself during the Middle Ages. Some link this activity to the aspiration of the laity to emulate the monks who sang or recited the psalms within the Divine Office. Given that the laity generally could not read, the 150 psalms were symbolized for them by the sequence of 150 Hail Marys and Our Fathers carried out in the recitation of three sets of five mysteries, each containing 10 Hail Marys and one Our Father.
The Rosary is a form of “Gospel on a string” as it reflects on the principal moments of Our Lord’s life while prayers are recited. Similarly, the Hail Mary is a compilation of phrases about Mary spoken by the Angel Gabriel and St. Elizabeth. Essentially, we find ourselves in Mary’s school, where she instructs us and guides us further into the mystery of her Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ. In light of the condition of our world, the practice of reciting the Rosary is crucial.
Msgr. Charles Pope is the pastor of Holy Comforter-St. Cyprian in Washington, D.C., and writes for the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. at blog.adw.org. Send questions to msgrpope@osv.com.
