LOOKING UP - Father Gerard C. Francik, director of vocations for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, is optimistic about priestly vocations. (CR Staff/Owen Sweeney III)
Posted on 01/08/2008 1:11:41 PM PST by NYer
BALTIMORE, Md. (The Catholic Review) - When Father Gerard Francik recently interviewed a 19-year-old man who was thinking about becoming a priest, the archdiocesan vocations director asked him to talk about his prayer life.
The former high school football player told Father Francik how he faithfully makes a holy hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament, attends Mass or Communion services, prays the rosary and observes the liturgy of the hours – every day.
“I was just blown away,” said Father Francik. “He was very dedicated to his faith.”
That young man is typical of the kind of people who are stepping forward to become priests these days, according to Father Francik. Many are still in their teens, and they show unbridled enthusiasm for living out their religious convictions, he said.
“This generation has a different view,” said Father Francik. “They’re much more service-oriented. They’re selfless, and they want to give their all.”
Numbers tell the story
The vocations director said there are more young men inquiring about becoming priests than in previous years.
“We have 16- and 17-year-olds just beating down the door,” said Father Francik. “It gives me encouragement to see so many young people on fire for their faith. It gives us hope for the future.”
There are currently 26 men studying to become priests for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. They come from all parts of the archdiocese, and they include several international seminarians from Central and South America and one from Nigeria.
Last year’s incoming seminarian class stood at 13 – the biggest class in nearly two decades, according to Father Francik. He expects that this year’s class will also hit double digits.
(Excerpt) Read more at catholic.org ...
Those qualities would send up a red flag in the Dioceses of Albany and Rochester. This is "not our prayer style", according to the Diocesan Office for Liturgy and Worship.
No kidding!
It could be because of the the new Archbishop as well.
Thanks for posting. It’s great to read good news for a change!
I keep seeing little sprouts of sound growth. It brings to mind the saying, "The smallest living thing is more powerful than the most powerful dying thing." It gives me hope. It's like "We're BACK. We're CATHOLIC. And this time WE'RE SERIOUS."
Is that the guy who was the top military chaplain previously? I can't recall his name; he celebrated Mass in Stamford last year and he was excellent.
Yes, the man has a backbone. It is no wonder young men would look up to him.
That would be Edwin O’Brien, now the Archbishop of Baltimore. He’s great. Met him at NAF Atsugi a few years ago.
**The former high school football player told Father Francik how he faithfully makes a holy hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament, attends Mass or Communion services, prays the rosary and observes the liturgy of the hours – every day.**
God bless this guy. He’s on his way!
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