Posted on 09/25/2013 10:54:54 AM PDT by NYer
Ping!
allow me to be cynical and say its job. I can’t help but think some are thinking that way.
Sick comments pretty much show the state of some people’s minds.
I think the Church now knows that many infiltrators were placed in the seminaries in order to implode the Catholic Church.
I have observed that the most innocent and honest men are often the most easily fooled because they cannot imagine the duplicity and cupidity that exist in others.
Funny. I thought it was the JPII generation. At least they are crediting PBXVI with something too. As for Pope Francis, I think it is too soon to credit him with influencing young men to enter the seminary. But, give him time.
Of course, the main reason is the world is getting tired of secularism and selfishness. Suddenly Jesus Christ is catching on with the younger generation. All glory be to God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Two decades, did you say?
1998: U.S. Priests and seminarians survey: more vocations in orthodox dioceses
2003: Is There a Priest Shortage?
2004: Crisis in Vocations? What Crisis
2006: Vocations Are Up at English-Speaking Seminaries
2007: No shortage of priests in Atlanta, more than 50 seminarians
2007: Top U.S. Catholic seminary sees spike in enrollment
2010: Good News About Vocations Part 1 of 6
2010: The Coming Explosion in Vocations: Seminaries & Convents Filling Up Fast!
2011: Need some good news? Lots of vocations!
2011: Catholic Seminary Enrollment Up, But Numbers Seen as Only Part of Story
2012: Number of Priests Worldwide Continues Steady Increase
One more thing. I am a bit surprised that the phenomenon of more seminarians has not also been seen in Protestant Seminaries. Since I really think it is mostly the Holy Spirit at work in renewing Christianity here. Does anyone have an idea about this?
Do you think the expansion of candidates to include women, and now also the gay community is turning off the straight men?
Catholic parishes which are returning to the concept of altar boys instead mixed boys and girls, are seeing a lot more boys interested in becoming altar boys. Just a fact to share with everyone.
Statistics done by the USCCB have always stated that there was about 3 % of unmarried Catholic men from the Age 25-35, who have seriously given thought to the priesthood.
That actually adds up to a large number. The biggest problem has always been a combination of inept recruitment efforts, family and social pressure, and prejudicial bias against orthodox teaching. The prejudice is largely (not totally) gone in most seminaries. The larger problems are inept recruitment, and family and social pressures against going to the seminary.
Thank you very much for the article. Well Done.
I wish to add, however, as someone becoming increasingly sceptical of the new Pope, that his few months in the Chair of St. Peter has had little, nothing, or less-than-nothing to do with the growth.
It has most certainly preceded his accession. I have given him the benefit of the doubt, but he continues to demonstrate to me the reason for the lightning strikes on the Vatican and the earthquake at Castel Gandolfo after Pope Benedict XVI resigned.
I will continue to remind my brothers of this because it was and is a clear and present warning, not to be ignored with happy talk. We may have a real problem on our hands, and I mention this to goad myself and others to more prayer and sacrifices for this Pope and the Church.
I hope and pray that this increase in candidates is true and that good men now feel "safe" in becoming a priest. How sad that many good men may have left the seminary, or not even gone into a seminary, because of the gay take-over. We can only hope that they will continue to be vigilant about who is accepted and that there will then continue to be an increase in the number of men wanting to be priests.
http://www.amazon.com/Goodbye-Good-Men-Seminaries-Generations/dp/0967637112
I was one of them. In the early '80's, I knew something was wrong. But was too young to know the depths of depravity ....
Now, my priesthood is centered around my wife and family, rather than the Church as my bride and family (In persona Christi). If God calls me later in life after my marriage, if He wills it, I will serve Him.
This years tally of 3,694
“................””
This is a very tiny number compared to the number of Roman Christians in the US. There are multiples of that number of non-Roman seminary students enrolled...
I know a really good guy who may be heading in this direction. I say a prayer for him every now and then, and for the Biblical course of The Church.
Why do you use the word “orthodox” and not the word “conservative” instead? Thank-you.
Catholic parishes which are returning to the concept of altar boys instead mixed boys and girls, are seeing a lot more boys interested in becoming altar boys....Makes sense! And, in time, being more interested in becoming "priests" as well. Also parishes that have Eucharistic Adoration, I believe, show an uptick in vocations. We have a parish nearby with a DAILY Traditional Latin Mass (in addition to Novus Ordo), and Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, and they have four seminarians. Pretty cool...
Panic among FR Harold Camping followers! Now that they were winning so decisevely (in their own minds, but no matter.)
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