A question for the readership.
Can anyone think of a man who, having sought the priesthood, was denied that path for some reason, but was later beatified or canonized?
What I’m searching for is a saint who could be the patron of men whose vocations were thwarted by bishops or their “formators” in seminary, forced out to find work and another path in life, “regular” work, etc. There’s no question that that path can be a path to holiness. However, it could be a good thing to identity a saint with that same experience in his earthly background: thwarted as a priest he goes on to live a life of heroic virtue or martyrdom in a secular job, perhaps married, etc.
UPDATE: Please respond in this blog’s combox? Thanks.
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The father of St. Therese de Lisieux – Louis Martin? I believe I read in her biography that he wanted to be a priest and went to seminary but did not continue.
Would St Joseph of Cupertino be applicable?
Louis Martin, the father of St. Therese of Liseaux.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Martin_and_Marie-Azélie_Guérin
Although, the denial of the priesthood was not a cancellation or thwarting by a bishop, but, rather, a part of God’s providential plan.
The Chicken
This story is close:
“Bl. Paul Thoj Xyooj (1941-1960, pronounced Tao Shiong) was a Hmong convert, a former seminarian, and a tremendously successful missionary to a Hmong village in Laos when the religious in charge of the mission became suspicious of this teenaged boy who was making so many converts. Certain that he must be watering down the faith or engaging in untoward behavior, they pulled him from the mission field, forbidding him even from contacting the young woman he had hoped to propose to. Back at home, he felt lost; he had been betrayed by leaders of the Church he had given his life to and wasn’t sure that he could continue to work as a catechist. Perhaps he would get a job as a police officer, the better to support the family he hoped to start if he could ever find another woman he wanted to marry. In the midst of this frustration, betrayal, and uncertainty came an invitation from Bl. Mario Borzaga to join him on another mission. Xyooj went and was killed by communist insurgents when he refused to abandon Fr. Borzaga.”
https://aleteia.org/2020/07/18/saints-to-turn-to-when-life-is-out-of-control-because-their-lives-were-too/
I would like to suggest Venerable Leo Dupont.
While not thwarted due to malice (he had injuries to his hand), he nonetheless needed to abandon his desire for the priesthood and went on to live an exemplary lay life. He is “The Holy Man of Tours” & “The Apostle of The Holy Face”.
His story is remarkable and quite inspiring.
There is a whole book of “secular” saints from Tan books.
The Chicken
Specifically someone who went on in secular life?
…
I may be mashing stories together in my head, but surely there are a couple of cases of aspiring priests in religious orders who were held back or denied for one reason or another, who embraced what they were relegated to and found a path to sainthood there.
St. Thomas More was recalled from Oxford by his father to be “called to the bar” as a lawyer. There is something to suggest he was considering a religious vocation as upon returning to London, he did not live at home but took up residence with the Carthusian.
https://www.amazon.com/Seeking-More-Catholic-Lawyers-Writings/dp/1505105595/ref=nodl_?dplnkId=2811956f-88ff-4f0a-a375-bd77be21a83d
St. Benedict Joseph Labre was rejected by several communities before carving out his own path as a pilgrim
I’m not sure if Brother André Bessette ever pursued the priesthood, but I know he was initially rejected by the Congregation of the Holy Cross and only allowed in after some outside intervention, carrying out his vocation as the doorman.
Solanus Casey! So far only Blessed. But on the way!
If no other saint is more appropriate or better fits the criteria, consider St. Joseph Barsabbas a.k.a., St. Justus. He was one of the two disciples of Jesus who was proposed to replace Judas as an Apostle. Since he did not withdraw his name from consideration, he sought to become an Apostle. We know from the Acts of the Apostles that Matthias was chosen instead. St. Joseph Barsabbas was thus rejected for the position he sought. Although, according to tradition, St. Joseph Barsabbas later became a priest and bishop, he might nonetheless be appropriate because those who seek the priesthood and are rejected might, someday, be given the opportunity later in life.
Everyone: Remember that whole thing at the top about
DID NOT BECOME A PRIEST…?
So, great stories they may be but if, “later he became a priest” is in there… NOPE.
St Benedict Joseph Labre. He was unable to persevere in several monasteries, and had to leave, not always by his own choice. He may not have gone on to have a successful secular career, but he is an exceptional and beautiful saint
St. René Goupil
St. Rene NEVER became a priest, but only became a “lay brother” during his final weeks when they were under persecution.
“René Goupil was born in Anjou, France in 1606 and wanted to become a priest. He entered the novitiate (the first step in preparation to enter a religious order/group) of a Catholic religious order named the Society of Jesus, or more commonly referred to as the “Jesuits.” After he entered the novitiate, René became deaf, and at the time, this prevented him from continuing his formation to the priesthood, and he left the Jesuits.”
I have some living candidates who lead lives of exemplary social advocacy. Here’s to their heroic persistance in virtue:
Former seminarian Michael Moore (“The highest courage is to dare to be yourself in the face of adversity. Choosing right over wrong, ethic over convenience, and truth over popularity: these are choices that measure your life. Travel the path of integrity without looking back, for there is never a wrong time to do the right thing.” I’ve met Michael many times. I come away inspired by his kindness and sense of justice. I know you think that you don’t like the Bowling for Columbine guy but he’s a tremendously good guy nonetheless. May you have the blessing of his company one day. Now, of the rest of my little lit, I’m far less serious about, obviously…);
Former seminarian Dan Aykroyd (Deep understanding of the supernatural as, of its platonic essence, slimy. Who you gonna call?);
Former postulant Anjelica Huston (didn’t actually become a nun until Wes Anderson’s Darjeeling Limited, though, quod vide.)
Former seminarian Carson Daly. (He’s been very open about the generalized anxiety and PTSD that going to Catholic seminary caused him. I’ve been far less open about the similar horrors it caused me. I would bet he’s done more good than me.)
Former Cardinal Archbishop Uncle Teddy. (Has anyone ever done more to encourage the vocation of seminary leavers? He deliberately inspired more people than any other I can name to pursue a life of goodness and purpose apart from the leading international Italian organized crime and sex trafficking ring.)
Former seminarian Martin Scorcese. (A little bit he is.)
[You may have well added Josef Stalin.]
a nearby parish has first class relics of a XX century martyr from Papua New Guinea: Bl. Peter To Rot. This hero – younger than any of my grandparents – ended up as a married man, father, and lay catechist. he was brutally executed by the Japanese empire under the Showa emperor for his defense of monogamous marriage. However it was his father, rather than a churchman, who denied him pursuit of the priesthood. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=7611
[You may have well added Josef Stalin.]
But Joseph Stalin was an evil, bloodthirsty egomaniac! Maybe he could be the patron saint of Formation Directors?
[Tu enim dixisti.]
This is a question for Meg Hunter-Kilmer. Answering questions that run, “I need an saint with these obscure biographical characteristics,” is a large part of her life’s work.
George Offerman.
He was arrested with Norman Weslin at Notre Dame USA before BA’s speech
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiz4tfjSuPc
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/may/17/barack-obama-notre-dame-abortion
Prolife Defender
Sadly he died. The date of his deaand his website has been removed from the interweb as has his website.
Blogger http://prolifedefender.blogspot.com
About Me. George Offerman: I was in Catholic Seminary for 4 years, and left in the mid 80’s. I have been involved in health care …
I would suggest St. Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor. +1024
Tradition says that he wanted to be a Benedictine Monk, and even made plans to enter the Monastery at Verdun. However, the Abbot knew that if he left the throne there would be chaos and civil war. The Abbot accepted his vow of obedience, and then, under obedience, ordered Henry to retain the throne and use it to further God’s Kingdom. He is the Patron of Benedictine oblates.
(His wife is also a canonized saint; and it was in his honor and at St. Henry’s request that Pope Benedict VIII added the Creed to the Mass at Rome — traditionally it was not said there, as a sign that Rome never fell into heresy.)
Perhaps St Stanislaus Kostka. He wasn’t exactly thwarted by a bishop but became an SJ novice only after resisting his family, running away from home and 400 mile journey, on foot (!) to persuade St. Peter Canisius to accept him to the novitiate. Canisius was so impressed that he recommended him to the then-general St Francis Borgia. Stanislaus, by his own admission initially a mediocre student at best, was finally accepted as a novice but died mere months later, barely 18 years old.