Safia Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 (edited) Ladies & gents, I need some help with an etiquette-type question -- LOL. Long story made short: I'm a rising junior in college, discerning religious life. There is a new chaplain at my university. He's a 30-year old friar, really charitable and nice and accessible and brilliant and razzle dazzle. In a short time, we've become friends -- so much so that he's also my new spiritual director and Confessor. There are two brothers from said chaplain's community at my university parish for the summer, on a summer assignment during their formation. They're in their early 30s. As I'm female . . . and much younger . . . and not a religious . . . and a student at this university, one of the few who remained near campus for the summer . . . could there be anything possibly awkward or weird or wrong or <insert whatever word you want> about buying them dinner one night? I'm fascinated by their lives, etc., and would like to get to know them, but I'm hesitating because it feels a bit off. What if I brought a friend or two? Opinions needed asap! Thanks! Edited July 3, 2012 by Safia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatherineM Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Nothing at all. Priests are men first and I promise that they do in fact eat. You might not want to have them to your house for dinner unless there are other people there. Not to protect yourself, but to protect them. Priests and monks have to be careful about gossip these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luigi Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 It is perfectly acceptable to show your appreciation of and generosity to priests and religious. There is a long-standing tradition of inviting parish priests to the family dinner. Times have changed somewhat, but the tradition can certainly be adapted. Taking them to dinner should be perfectly acceptable. You're in public. If all involved behave as if they're in public - and I assume there's no question of that - then it would be generous of you to invite them. If you're going to invite them to your home, it might be more comfortable to have a few friends over, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byzantine Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 What everyone else said. And as for [quote name='CatherineM' timestamp='1341280593' post='2451741'] Priests are men first and I promise that they do in fact eat [/quote] OH YEAH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Safia Posted July 3, 2012 Author Share Posted July 3, 2012 Ok, wonderful! Invite sent out. x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlySunshine Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 My mom and I are trying to get up the courage to invite both our pastor and parochial vicar to dinner at our house one evening. My dad will be there, too. My mom said that her family used to invite our old pastor over for dinner all the time and I always wanted to know what it would be like. I've been to parties at other houses with priests, but never at our house. I think it would awesome to have them bless our house while they are here. Unfortunately, our parochial vicar is overseas until August, but my mom says that she wants to invite him over as soon as he returns. I really want our pastor here, too, especially considering everything he has done for my vocation discernment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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