Modernist Fluff on Dating

I came across some modernist fluff advice on CatholicMatch (of all places) on the question of whether a woman should offer to pay on a first date. Since this has always been one of my pet peeves, I couldn't resist spending some time on a Sunday afternoon replying to it. And maybe it's a little vain, but I'm proud of what I wrote, so here's a link to it :)

The Date Debate: Should The Man Pay For Dinner

How does this relate to St. Francis? For one, St. Clare would never offer to split the check :) While I doubt Francis and Clare ever courted (even though the book I'm about to read will make the case something existed between them; see my previous post), I don't think one can find a better gentleman that one who literally dreams of chivalry. And chivalry expects certain things: little things like paying for dates and holding doors expresses a quiet confidence in a man that -- assuming it is virtuous -- is rooted in friendship with Christ.

Mary is described by Tradition as our Castle and Tower, signifying her role as the sanctuary to be protected at all costs and humanity's desire to reach upward to God. These apply to her specific vocation as the Mother of God, but the metaphors apply to all women generally as humanity's natural connection to God. Ironically, modern society's femininity causes us to neglect true feminism, so it's no wonder we've lost touch with the divine. Consider most Hollywood portrayals of marriage. If one of the two spouses is devoutly religious, it's usually the wife (as was the case in a poorly-written yet interesting movie I saw yesterday, The Caller, which I might write more about soon). Women tend to have an instinct for spirituality. I feel like diving deeper into that mystery leads to some reasons for male priesthood, as it is more challenging for men to believe in the first place. Maybe it's true: we really aren't as "qualified."

So where does that leave this thought (as I sense this is the point to bring it together or wander into rambling... not that there's anything wrong with a good ramble once in a while)? I think it comes around to how the two primary vocations in Catholicism -- celibacy and marriage -- form a marriage in Catholic society that challenges and strengthens the other. The world and most other Christian sects are missing this beautiful experience. St. Francis and St. Clare are a unique pair of saints who together have much wisdom for both men and women in relationships to learn from celibates how to live chastely with an eye toward marriage.