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Let me show you where the problem with Vatican II is. In the days before the Council, seminarians were trained in seminaries that were very much akin to monasteries. In fact, monastic rules were in place, spiritual readings required, spiritual devotions encouraged, cassocks were worn, and Great Silence observed for interior reflection. There was a great emphasis on Patristic studies, on classical moral theology, on ascetical practices, on frequent Confession and daily reception of Holy Communion. There was a great deal of daily prayer and morning meditations as well. Seminarians were encouraged to say the rosary, examine their consciences and make daily visits to the Blessed Sacrament.

After Vatican II, seminaries were embedded in the cities and many were attached to major universities. The monastic discipline had all but vanished. Seminarians had telephones, televisions, and cars. They dressed casually in jeans and could come and go as they wished, eat out in restaurants, go to the movies, and spend weekends any way they wished. There was very little prescribed spiritual activity other than Mass attendance which was casual--and minus any traditional rubrics, we attended sitting down, minus kneelers. More time and trouble was taken to make sure we had our telephones installed than to provide any sort of meaningful spiritual direction. I myself had to go off campus to meet with a priest who had been recommended privately. I did it on my own because no one gave a damn. We had Mass in what appeared to be a converted gymnasium. We literally sat in gym-like stands. The Blessed Sacrament was kept in a room in the basement and to get to it you used a service elevator. No rosary. No meditation. No spiritual anything. This was a major seminary, run by a major diocese. When the cardinal visited we had to wear coats and ties. For Jesus at Mass we wore our jeans. There were some studies to feed the mind--but liberally oriented. But nothing to engage the soul. On weekends people disappeared and did their own thing and the halls were as empty as a motel. There were secret cliques--gays who did their thing. People went to parties, some guys even had dates with girls, some guys cruised the gay bars. It was not a context conducive to producing soldiers for Christ.

That is what Vatican II did.

That is what Vatican II did.

Just HOW did Vatican II do this? To blame the Council for this is insane! You say you were in seminary in 1980(?). If the conditions are what you say they are, and I have no doubts, then the wreckovation had already taken place during the seventies. Those who did the wreckovating and those who allowed the wreckovating were ordained before the Council. (for the most part). Don't go blaming the Council for this happening. And don't be so naive about the seminaries prior to the council. I spent the summer of '62 at the Marist Seminary in MA. There were NO monastic rules in place. That utopia did not exist. At least there it didn't.