Pt. 1: Harrison Butker’s Commencement Speech’s Impact - My Catholic Perspective

[@magnolia31611]

Exactly! For me as a Catholic convert wife, mother, and homemaker who dreamed from the time I was a toddler that this was what I wanted from life, I found his speech so touching and encouraging. I’ve going through a very hard season for the past several months, and really really needed some spiritual encouragement, and Harrison Butkers speech was exactly that. My husband even made the comment last night that he sees my light coming back, and it’s because I was reminded about the value that I bring to my family by living out my vocation, and it helped connect me more deeply in my relationship with Jesus. You were spot on in everything you said.

[@alimariehere]

This is exactly what I discuss in part 2 ;)

[@BensWorkshop]

Can confirm. Definately not shy! May God bless you Ali-Marie.

[@WhatIsTheTruthToday]

Ali, I sent this video to my daughter who graduated St. Benedict's and I was there when Harrison Butker gave the speech. You are born to be a leader: My daughter wrote this: I have been noticing a lot of controversy about the commencement speech given by Harrison Butker, particularly the part about women, the “diabolical lies told to them” and the vocation of motherhood and homemaker. I only felt it was right that I, a woman who confidently graduated from Benedictine college and experienced the speech first hand, set the record straight. As a women who just got her degree, and consider myself not only independent, but hardworking, I will say i had NO feelings of discouragement when hearing Butker’s words. Nothing in his speech demotivated me from pursuing my career, and he said nothing to make me feel that way, but rather made me even more excited to one day start my vocation as a mother, with a man who loves me just as much as Harrison Butker loves his wife and all the hard work she has done as a mother. As of right now (because I’m not married), I will be starting my career, As Butker stated, “some of you will go on to lead successful careers in the world” BUT when I do finally settle down and begin to grow my own family, I will be more than happy to give up my career and commit myself to my children, becoming a loving and faithful mom and wife to my husband and children; as I believe in the traditional way of raising a family, where the women stays at home with the kids and the man works. I feel that many of you who spoke out are really missing the point that Butker was making. He said NOTHING about women with degrees being worthless or valueless, and that women are only made to be “babymakers” and “homemakers,” but rather encouraged women that when they do settle down and start a family, to truly embrace their new life as a wife and, when having kids, as a mother, just as his wife did by embracing “ONE OF the most important titles” homemaker. Let me repeat, he did in fact say “ONE OF THE” not THE ONLY ONE, meaning he does not just see women as “baby making machines” and “only good as homemakers.” And this is where the statement, “diabolical lies” is deemed true in the modern day feminist movement. Because women’s minds have been so persuaded by these modern feminist ideologies that when women listen to that speech, they get so defensive and automatically hear that this man told women they are not allowed to have a job at all, which is not AT ALL what was said. The idea that Butker was trying to pass onto us women, was not that degrees are worthless, and women are only seen as “babymakers” and “homemakers” but instead the idea that your life isn’t over when you become a mom, but you are actually starting the most fulfilling part of your life where now your kids become your motivation to be the best role model, and most amazing mom to them. Ask any mother, and they will tell you this is true. Motherhood is an ultimate achievement in itself, and no worldly career can replace the amount of joy being a mother brings to life. I don’t know about everybody else, but I see motherhood as one of the most selfless, toughest, and most rewarding and fulfilling careers a woman can have! As a mother, you can still achieve endless goals, but I do believe that your main goal should be raising your children. And this is why Harrison truly admires his wife and everything she has done for him and his kids! Remember ladies- a career will never love you back, but the one career that will love you back is the job of motherhood, which is really a career every woman should strive for one day.

[@alimariehere]

Thank you for sharing this!!! 💯🕊️❤️

[@jenniferperez1944]

I started to go to traditional Latin mass on Pentecost 🙏🏻✝️👑🌹💍🕊️✨

[@alimariehere]

I pray it is everything your soul needs! ❤️🕊️

[@Mary-u3x]

Thank you for your insight! ❤️

[@kaitlynemcnutt8802]

Absolutely you can apply your education to mothering....I was pursuing a degree in early childhood education to make more money at the daycare I worked at and then decided to homeschool and that knowledge has dramatically helped so much

[@alimariehere]

Thank you for sharing this! Yes! I know many in very similar situations as yourself! (Applying educational degrees to homeschool life.) ❤️

[@hanng1242]

The shocking part of all this is that Benedictine College is actually Catholic, not "Catholic" like so many more famous colleges or colleges run by Jesuits, or famous Jesuit colleges. Has the bishop been made aware of this? Why hasn't he stepped in and done something?! Everyone knows that Christian orthodoxy is not inclusive and should not be tolerated. Wasn't that sort of thing ended back in 1962? Catholics are supposed to be completely different now; the Spirit of Vatican II is about being ashamed of Christ, like at Georgetown, not rigidly clinging to dogma. If only Pope Francis weren't so conservative....

[@alimariehere]

Yes! Doctrinally sound without hyper-emphasis on mercy! I do tend toward emphasizing mercy myself, but I also believe even when we are in a state of grace, we still desperately need the Lord’s mercy!

[@FiremanFrach]

Great presentation, Ali-Marie. I think the "Benedictine Nuns" need to look in the mirror before throwing stones. We all do. I also laugh at the secular and non-Catholics (in the media and in the social media) and "expert Catholics" that feel the need to chime in with their opinions. I'm no expert so I keep my opinions of his speech to myself. Sort of like with the words of the Pope. Rant over. By the way, I look forward to your opinion on the 60 minutes interview with Pope Francis.

[@alimariehere]

I will need to review that! I have seen a comment here and there about what he said, but I haven’t seen it in its entirety.

[@scotthurban8200]

They had a Democrat woman on Fox who said that career and raising a family were of equal status! I suppose that is a compromise for her as mosts feminists devalue children and family. Do not expect that the enemy of our souls will ever 'tolerate' the 'Truth'. Many people are useful tools of the devil, even though they do not know it. Jesus said to not be surprised that the whole world hates us, because they hated him first. My wife never wanted to be anything but a mother, wife, and homeworker and I am so honored that she did. It is a honorable vocation. It is true," The hand that rocks the cradle ...." I am proud that you you elevate your family above everything else ( with the exception of God and His Church).

[@alimariehere]

“…rules the world!” ❤️ I’m so grateful I was able to find and marry a man who supported me staying home as well. He knew about my desire for 6 kids and being a homemaker on our very first date 😂

[@kaileighrow3654]

Respectfully, I wonder if there may be some confusion here about feminism versus misandry. Speaking as a feminist myself, the point has never been to devalue children and family, but rather to assure that women become wives and mothers because they choose that role instead of because social pressures demand that they should. I realize that feminists commonly talk to or about women who feel in conflict between employment and homemaking, which may perpetuate this misconception, however, the vast majority of honest feminists should have no issue supporting homemaking as an equal choice to a career.

[@scotthurban8200]

@@kaileighrow3654 The Christian life is about sacrifice. It is not about doing what we want to do because we want to do it. It is about doing things because it is the right thing to do. Christ died for us in order for us to be reconciled with God. The agony in the garden shows that this is something he did not want to do, but He did it because it was the right thing to do. God tells us to," be fruitful and multiply.' because it is the right thing to do to perpectuate the human race and allow more humans to be raised as Christians to be with God in eternity which is a great good beyond following a career. I worked all my life to support my family and raise my children and it was a sacrifice and the right thing to do. A women's vocation and all our vocations is to serve God through sacrifice and not just persue our own selfish desires. Question? As a feminist, do you feel abortion ( what I consider murdering an unborn child) is okay for a woman ( or man) to do to pursue her/his career?

[@keithwiebe1787]

@@scotthurban8200 This gal talks about being fulfilled. Perhaps other women feel fulfilled in other ways. Not for you or her to decide. And it doesn't have to be a choice of which is more "fulfilling" or some such feelings. It's what it is at that particular time in their life. There's a season for everything isn't there? Quit trying to pigeon hole people into specific roles. Not for you to decide.

[@alimariehere]

I would say, similar to parenting we are seeing nowadays in opposition to authoritarianism, the pendulum has swung so far the other way that choosing to be a homemaker IS discouraged. Otherwise, this speech would have been praised as touting an equally useful role women can serve.

[@Peter-GG]

Praying for you -- sorry to hear you've had a rough couple weeks. :( I read the full transcript of his speech and yes, most of the objections from the mainstream media etc. reflect intolerance of traditional views and/or misunderstanding (whether innocent or willful) of his points around the vocation to marriage and motherhood. (Interestingly, he made equally important and countercultural points about fatherhood, but that's gotten almost no attention. I'm trying to figure out why that is.) Admittedly, I'm more critical about some aspects of the speech. I think he was somewhat uncharitable toward our bishops; he seemed to advocate the TLM not only alongside but as objectively superior to the ordinary form; he represented Catholic teaching on life, sexuality, etc. very well, but seemed to put his own liturgical preferences and thoughts on COVID policies etc. on the same level, without mentioning anything about, e.g., our equally Catholic calling to care for the poor and our earth (maybe because there's less of a dispute there with the secular world?) In sum: I'd defend the speech against pretty much all the attacks we've heard from the secular culture and the left, but if someone was looking for a well-balanced expression of Catholicism in the contemporary American context, I'd point them instead to resources put out by the USCCB or by apostolates like Bishop Barron's (whom, happily, he does quote!), which also has many lay contributors.

[@alimariehere]

The TLM *may be* objectively superior *in his experience*. The speech, of course, will include personal opinions and experiences because that’s what was presented. I, myself, interject personal thoughts and lived experiences into much of what I share. I don’t think he in ANY WAY is revered as infallible by any of us, is he? And if not, then why can’t he share his thoughts and simply be objectively wrong without *outrage* against what he is saying? Because that’s how I’m seeing many Catholics respond… Not with charity, or using those points as *discussion points,* but rather speaking out AGAINST him which in turn just adds more fuel to the already blazing fire. Obviously some TLM attendees feel strongly about it being the highest form of mass. But no matter how hard they press that opinion, the Eucharist will always remain in valid form in the Novus Ordo application.

[@Peter-GG]

@@alimariehere Yeah, I'd say it's downright never appropriate to allow feelings of outrage to drive one's responses. Even with things like horrific crimes that we _should_ be outraged about, there's a reason we prosecute them in a detached and methodical way and don't give free rein to lynch mobs (though obviously social media couldn't be more different!) And yes, I think it's really good to intersperse one's personal experiences and thoughts, as you do yourself. In his speech, though, I didn't get the sense that Butker drew any line between actual Catholic doctrine and his own particular takes on things -- he spoke of them as equally self-evident and melded them quite seamlessly within a single call to battle. And I always am wary of the cultural-political tail wagging the theological-ecclesial dog, so to speak (whether in a progressive or conservative direction).

[@keithwiebe1787]

I wouldn't defend that speech unless you're a rightwing Biden hating Covid loving narcissistic necompoop. There. I said it. Trying to blame it on mainstream media. Perhaps you should listen to learn a thing or two.

[@Jean-nr5ch]

Ali, I agree the media should have not gone after him. But his speech shows the general way of how the catholic laity makes an absolute idol of both marriage and the family. I did not appreciate for one as a single woman how people were raving about his speech.

[@sanjivjhangiani3243]

It's not a question of making marriage and the family an idol. He said that for most of you, [your vocation] will be marriage. You would have to admit that your equally worthwhile single life is less usual.

[@alimariehere]

I think it’s a noble desire to long for marriage and children… It takes a particular level of sacrifice that not much else can quite compare. I do agree that some may pursue or revere it intensely, or seek having more children to “keep up appearances” even when they’re already overwhelmed to a point that they’ve veered off the track of developing the fruit of the Spirit… As it is, I still believe we are to find our unity in Christ. I do think that if it bothered people, it’s likely something that they struggle with making peace with! It takes a certain level of confidence and security to take what someone is saying is opposite our experience and still remain at peace 🕊️ I pray the Lord’s peace and fulfillment may embed itself in all of our hearts 🫂

[@ronDCM]

The sad part is many Catholics are only Catholic by name and they have not taken the time to actually study the very rich tradition and teachings of the church. So they are easily swayed by woke ideologies. For me, Mr. Butker's speech was a breath of fresh air. It gave me hope for the future, to see a young man and his wife- espousing traditional Catholic values.

[@FiremanFrach]

CINOs are the worst.

[@crnavarrete4815]

It's sad that a child's first steps will be taken in a daycare witnessed by strangers

[@alimariehere]

I don’t recall if I said it in this video or in part 2 which should be live on Thursday, but yes… The connection that is established when you firsthand witness your child connect the dots on something they’ve been struggling with, or to just be present and grounded alongside them… There’s nothing that can replace it! Having it be consistently with their primary caregiver is a gift that can never be replicated.

[@keithwiebe1787]

You talk about fulfillment. Talk about a privileged society. It's all about you? How are you to decide who gets an abortion and who doesn't? And you want it to be the law of the land. Not even saving the life of Mother or in cases of incest rape. Something is terribly wrong with this picture.

[@scotthurban8200]

In America you have the right to murder your unborn child if you want. I have two friends that were born out of rape. Why create another victim by murdering the unborn child for the sins of the father?

[@amyschlegel1180]

God gave us a commandment Thou shalt not kill. That pretty much settles the question for all of us! Abortion is murder and it is Never allowed!

[@keithwiebe1787]

@@amyschlegel1180 Does that include sending troops to other countries?

[@keithwiebe1787]

@@amyschlegel1180 Except the only time it was mentioned in the Bible is when the woman had to take a concoction to prove her innocence if her fetus lived. What about the life of the Mother, What about a 12 year old from a rape incest? What about that. I take it your a pacifist than? Oh, there's exceptions? Nice to know.

[@keithwiebe1787]

The speech was absolutely terrible. Not the place to slam everyone including people protecting us from Covid to inclusion, etc. It IS NOT FINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@amyschlegel1180]

It’s pretty obvious that you didn’t bother to listen to the speech! It was amazing!!

[@keithwiebe1787]

@@amyschlegel1180 I listened multiple times. It's pretty obvious you have no concerns for people who can't conceive, Covid health measures, Etc.

[@amyschlegel1180]

@@keithwiebe1787 Quite the contrary! But none of that justifies committing serious sin!

[@zahzahzee]

Marriage is also only a state in life. Traditionally, only the priesthood is considered a vocation.

[@scotthurban8200]

As a revert, we were taught that marriage is both a sacrament and a vocation

[@zahzahzee]

@@scotthurban8200 Then you were taught incorrectly. It is not a vocation.

[@amyschlegel1180]

@@zahzahzee No, you are the one who was taught incorrectly. Marriage, the single life, the religious life, and the priesthood are.ALL vocations!

[@zahzahzee]

@@amyschlegel1180 No. Only the priesthood. The words are used interchangeably now but that doesn't make it correct.

[@amyschlegel1180]

@@zahzahzee Nope! You quite obviously have no clue as to what the word vocation even means!! Every human being has a vocation. A vocation is a state in life chosen for each person by God which is the best and fastest way for them to attain salvation. For the vast majority of us, it is the vocation of marriage. Some persons have a vocation to the priesthood, the religious life or the single state. A vocation is not a career. That is something different altogether. Not my opinion, just fact, very clearly defined by the Catholic Church!

[@patartimotiustambunan1946]

don't forget guys Eve created for Adam and not vice versa --> this Catholic Teaching.

[@lvlc5]

❤❤❤

[@batboy49]

You know what all of this has done to me....I will have to get me a KC Chiefs jersey with a 7 on it. DESPITE the fact that I am NOT a Chiefs fan.

[@keithwiebe1787]

Because you like to stir hate in the world. Nothing more.

[@keithwiebe1787]

Maybe you should pray that all his superstitious beliefs will keep God on his side so he can even kick the ball next season. That's what I think this is all about.

[@erniesandoval9669]

​@@keithwiebe1787superstitious beliefs what are you talking about he belongs to the true faith left by Jesus Christ himself, the other man made false religions are superstitious beliefs like they believe in the fake rapture.

[@keithwiebe1787]

OH, just stop. Let people decide when to have a baby. Good grief.

[@alimariehere]

Reproductive freedom begins with the right to say no to sex. That’s where the decision is.

[@keithwiebe1787]

@@alimariehere So you had a period in your life where you denied sex because you didn't want to get pregnant? Or did you just didn't care and tried to breed like animals?

[@alimariehere]

I’m so confused by your question. Of course my husband and I have practiced periods of abstinence to avoid pregnancy.

[@keithwiebe1787]

@@alimariehere years? Isn't that blasphemy and playing God?

[@alimariehere]

Where are you getting years? You seem to be trolling this video. But no. Choosing to not have sex is not playing God. It’s utilizing our free will by being proper stewards of our family as God has called us through cultivating and practicing self control. But I expect you’re not Catholic and therefore would not have a proper understanding of what that means. You seem to not even know what blasphemy is which is attributing works of God to the Devil, so I’m not sure how that comes into this conversation at all. I hope you find whatever it is you need to walk the path back to God because it seems your heart is determined to remain hurt.