Young Catholics Hear Call to Serve

Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune ^ | 9/18/10 | Katherine Kersten

[marshmallow]

With ancient truths, religious service provides comfort in a material age.

The Catholic Church's days are numbered. At least, that seems to be the view of opinionmakers, who see it as hopelessly out of step and pushing a moral code that few want to be saddled with these days. Add to that clergy sexual abuse. Isn't this an institution on its last legs?

Paradoxically, here in the Twin Cities, young Catholics are responding with a hearty "no." This fall, St. Paul Seminary -- which prepares men for the priesthood -- has its largest enrollment since 1981: 92 seminarians.

Many are entering after successful careers. This year's class -- average age, 29 -- includes men with degrees in civil and electrical engineering, TV production, geography, animal science and criminology.

Well, maybe some older men are showing interest, but younger guys just want to party, right? Down the street at St. John Vianney Seminary (SJV) on the University of St. Thomas campus, 140 young men -- ages 18 to 22 -- are considering the priesthood. SJV is the largest collegiate seminary in the nation. Seminarians there may blast rock music, but they start the day at 6:15 a.m. with an hour of silent prayer, attend Mass daily and on Sundays sing the ancient "Salve Regina" in Latin before an icon of the Virgin Mary.

This phenomenon of young people devoting themselves to religious life is not confined to the Twin Cities. Mary Anne Marks, a 2010 summa cum laude graduate of Harvard University, is entering the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Marks delivered a commencement address in Latin at Harvard's graduation in May. She will join an entering class of 22 young women looking forward to a life of teaching, prayer and evangelism.

[marshmallow]

What draws young people to devote their lives to the Catholic Church -- widely regarded as intolerably judgmental and on the wane?

It's always both sad and amusing to see the bewilderment of the talking heads.

[Salvation]

Pray for all seminarians and for the bewildered world. They can’t figure out why this is happening! ~~Smile~~

(Just wait a couple years as see a like picture happening in the seminaries of Great Britain!)

[SuziQ]

"What draws young people to devote their lives to the Catholic Church -- widely regarded as intolerably judgmental and on the wane?"

Widely regarded by whom, other than the MSM, and liberals in general?

[TASMANIANRED]

Come Holy Spirit and renew the face of the earth.

[Bigg Red]

They can’t figure out why this is happening! ~~Smile~~

**
Yes, it is smile-inducing. Prayers up for these seminarians and the novitiates.

[Salvation]

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