BigJon16 Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 And I feel fine!! [url="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/rise-in-us-seminary-numbers-brings-big-smile-to-popes-face/"]http://www.catholicn...-to-popes-face/[/url] [quote] Vatican City, May 6, 2012 / 04:06 pm ([url="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com"]CNA/EWTN News[/url]).- Bishop James D. Conley of Denver said the news of rising seminarian numbers across the United States has delighted Pope Benedict XVI. “He was very happy to receive that information,†Bishop Conley told CNA on May 4 after meeting the Pope at the Vatican. “He said he had heard that vocations were going up in the United States and he said this is very positive news and, in fact, he had a big smile on his face when he heard the news.†Bishop Conley was one of ten bishops from Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Wyoming who had an audience with Pope Benedict as part of their five-day “ad limina†pilgrimage to Rome which concludes tomorrow. He explained to the Pope that there is now a year-on-year increase in the numbers of young men opting for the priesthood across many US dioceses. “I told him that in the Archdiocese of Denver both of our seminaries, St John Vianney Theological Seminary and Redeptoris Mater Neo-catechumenal seminary, are full,†the bishop added. “In fact we have more applicants than we have space so for the first time in many years we have to create a waiting list which is a good problem to have.†The most recent statistics show a similar story across the United States. Last year the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University estimated that the 2011 seminary intake was up 4 percent on the previous year and had reached its highest figure in 20 years. Meanwhile, Rome’s North American College is full to its 250 capacity for the first time in decades. Upon hearing that Bishop Conley was from Denver, Pope Benedict warmly recalled World Youth Day 1993 which was hosted by the Colorado city. At present the Archdiocese of Denver is vacant following the departure of Archbishop Charles J. Chaput to Philadelphia in September 2011. Bishop Conley said he does not know when a successor will be appointed but he is certain that they will “carry on the great work of Archbishop Chaput in his 14 years and Cardinal Stafford before him,†describing their legacy as “a great flourishing of the faith†where “a lot of new movements, a lot of new evangelization†took place. He believed that elsewhere could learn from “the Denver experience†as the universal Church approaches the “Year of Faith†later this year. In particularl, he thought people should take note of Archbishop Chaput’s ability to “teach the truth in all its clarity, even when challenging people against what the trends are in society, but yet doing it with love and compassion.†This approach, said Bishop Conley, is particularly successful with young people who have a “genuine openness to truth.†[/quote] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tab'le De'Bah-Rye Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 alleluia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strictlyinkblot Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 I was just about to post this. You got there before me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dominicansoul Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 There is another type of vocations crisis---that of not having enough space for all the vocations coming in!!! This has been the problem for the DSMME who are now sending their vocations to a monastery in Indiana for formation until the new Motherhouse is completed in TEXAS.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlySunshine Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 We just received word yesterday that our parish has a 3rd seminarian! He will be starting in the fall! I am THRILLED to hear that we have over 20 men studying for the priesthood in our diocese! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhuturePriest Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 Apparently this surge has decided to skip my Diocese. We have a grand total of three Seminarians and around nineteen Priests, most of them being middle-aged to elderly. But, that's what you get when you try to liberalize everything, I suppose. The new Bishop is kicking liberalism in the face, though, so hopefully he'll straighten everything out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clare~Therese Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 Hooray!!! This may be of interest to Phatmassers too: [url="http://stlouisreview.com/article/2012-04-25/pope-us-catholics"]http://stlouisreview.com/article/2012-04-25/pope-us-catholics[/url] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dominicansoul Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 we need all the religious we can get to battle the demons during the "3 days of darkness" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhuturePriest Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 [quote name='dominicansoul' timestamp='1336426597' post='2428238'] we need all the religious we can get to battle the demons during the "3 days of darkness" [/quote] Ah, the three days of darkness... Am I insane for not being opposed at it occurring at all? The three days are scary, but have you read what happens [i]after [/i]the three days of darkness? Talk about the best setup ever! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maximilianus Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 Outstanding. Two things; 1. it's no time time to take our packs off, keep up the prayers and encouragement. 2. Up the awareness for military chaplains, which are highly needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhuturePriest Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 [quote name='Maximilianus' timestamp='1336427299' post='2428241'] Outstanding. Two things; 1. it's no time time to take our packs off, keep up the prayers and encouragement. 2. Up the awareness for military chaplains, which are highly needed. [/quote] Seminarians need three things: Encouragement, prayers, and money. Lots and lots of money. A hundred thousand here or there can't hurt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmilyAnn Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 (edited) amesome! My diocese has about 10 students for the priesthood I believe. Edited May 7, 2012 by EmilyAnn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaPetiteSoeur Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 Yay! Our dioceses in my state are overflowing with vocations--I guess that's what happens when you live in one of the most Catholic states in the country! The Jesuits down here have 15 novices, and our diocese alone has 15 seminarians in formation. Many girls are discerning religious life, and some have entered the DSMME! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vee Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 [quote name='Maximilianus' timestamp='1336427299' post='2428241'] Outstanding. Two things; 1. it's no time time to take our packs off, [/quote] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archaeology cat Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 My dioces has quite a few seminarians, praise God. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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