Manly Arts 101: Fatherhood

While not every man is called to be a father, it is the most common vocation that men are called to. I will touch more on each vocation over time, but I came across this great article and had to share:

http://yimcatholic.blogspot.com/2010/06/to-be-catholic-father.html

It is a bit long, but worth a look.

Who do I want to be?

When I die, I want people to look at my life and say - that was a good guy.

• I want my wife to think I was a good husband. 
• I want her to think I sacrificed and laid down my life for her.
• I want her to know that I think she is beautiful.
• I want her to know that I love her.
• I want her to know that she was my best friend.
• I want my girls to think I was a good father.
• I want them to know that I love them so much.
• I want them to know how proud they make me.
• I want them to know that I would do anything for them.
• I want them to know that they make me melt.
• I want them to know that they make me a better person.
• I want people to say:
• He was always willing to help.
• He really cared about others.
• He wanted to make a better world for his children.
• He loves God.
• He was a good man.
• I don't want them to say "He's in Heaven" just to comfort people. I want them to say it because they truly believe I am there. Every time I go to a funeral, they only say nice things and talk about how the person is in Heaven and what a good person this was. Even some people who were crooks and adulterers. People who claimed to be Christian, but lived a different lifestyle. I don't want to be that guy. I want to be the kind like St. Padre Pio, St. Maximillian Kolbe, St. Francis of Assissi, St. Joseph, Blessed John Paul II and all those saints that once they departed from this life, people had no doubt that once they were in a better place. For me, hell is not an option. It is truly Heaven or bust...

Stan Manly, a man among men

As a guy in the world, you hear a lot of talk about being a man. The only problem is trying to figure out exactly what is manly and sticking to it.

• Is manly sitting on the couch with a cold one watching the game and scratching yourself?
• Does it involve eating raw meat?
• Does it mean getting in drunken brawls or refusing to fall down?
• Can a man have feeling? 
• Can he say "I love you"?

Well, stay tuned, pilgrims, and we'll look at what makes a man.