Apparently there are only four students for the priesthood for our diocese, whilst our parish has two students in the seminary, who used to come here to Mass. In fact both of these young men were instrumental in setting up the Old Rite in our parish, and there is apparently a third who lives a little further away but comes here most weeks to the Sunday Old Mass and often on Fridays too, he has applied to a certain religious order.
Say a prayer for our three young men.
I admit my parish is a bit strange, but before my time and during my time here it has produced priests. It might be that they might have found their way to their vocation without us but it is good we helped them on their way.
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I sense vocations are dropping again under F1 after the brief, Benedictine hiatus. One would think that the old cogers who run this thing would make the connection but evidently they do not. Namely, F1 is whom they think appeals to the young when in fact most youngsters find him incoherent even a little embarrassing.
I would not have associated the parish with the word 'strange' at all!
Some of us pew sitters may be regarded as such but not the parish. It is the normality which is so comforting. We know we will never be subjected to liturgical dancing, giant puppets or 'modernist' hymns.
Now I have just been reading about a Catholic church in Belgium which held a funeral 'service' for a dog. That is indeed 'strange' and I find it shocking too. Some of the congregation made the Sign of the Cross in front of the dog's basket the actual dog not being present. Words fail me.
I am very pleased that you have these young men from your parish interested enough to try out their vocations. Here in the Perth archdiocese of Western Australia we have two Seminaries and both have at least ten or twelve seminarians. The second Seminary is Redemptoris Mater which is run by the Neo-Cats. and they do not come from here. Mostly they come from South America or the Philippines, however, after Ordination they spend time here in the archdiocese for a year or two before they are sent off to different countries by the Neo-Catechumen organisation. The archdiocesan seminary was closed for several years but the last Archbishop re-opened it and during his tenure of Office he ordained something like 108 priests either for the archdiocese or for the Neo-Cats.. It certainly is thriving now.
@steve. I agree. You would think that the 'Old Rite and keep the Tradition equals vocations' penny would have dropped by now. Cardinal Burke put it so clearly describing the 'femenization' of the Church. The altar should never have been invaded by the 'gynaikonitis'. Altar service is the 'traditional proving ground for vocations', hence the importance of altar boys.
Pelerin: From a few miles north St Mary Magdalen does seem strange, a sign of contradiction and perhaps even prophetic.
Father, don't discount your influence also in this. You are an example to any young man considering the priesthood. I would say that many, if not most, seminarians have some priest in mind as a model to follow.
It doesn't have to be a 'celebrity' priest well known in public circles - just a man of faith who practices what he preaches.
Ad multos annos!
It seems to me that four things are necessary to build up a parish.
1) Good quality traditional liturgy. It does not have to be Tridentine form with Palestrina every Sunday (though these things help), but it does need to be as good as possible within the resources of a parish, and significant Latin content is beneficial.
2) Hands-on good works in response to a local challenge.
3) An ongoing education programme for parishioners, including interested non-Catholics.
4) Some social activities - at least coffee and biscuits after Sunday Mass.
Oh, wow. I will pray for your Diocese. Only 4 seminarians?
I am happy to hear that 3 of the four are associated with your parish. I know in my diocese, as recently as 2013, we had 38 seminarians and 68 parishes.
I can't imagine what yours is going through.
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