10 point on prospective priests

Father John Zuhlsdorf:

I received some points of reflection from a priest friend who is a member of one of the oldest religious families.  I edited two of the points with his permission.

1. Prospective priests (Religious or Diocesan) are not looking primarily for community life, as we live it. They are looking for a Church-related mission that they believe in.
2. Prospective priests want to know what the Pope teaches, not what the U.N. teaches.
3. Prospective priests do not want to sit around with older “veterans” and listen to the latter whine about the Pope, Rome and the bishops.
4. Prospective priests are not in favor of women’s ordination. Period.
5. Prospective priests do not want to attend Masses that resemble hootenannies, Quaker meetings, or Presbyterian services.
6. Prospective priests are not ashamed of the Pro-life movement, they’re for it.
7. Prospective priests do not want to hear their brothers mock the Pope and gripe about liturgical norms.
8. Prospective priests do not want to study at theological unions/seminaries that are embarrassed by Catholic teaching.
9. Prospective priests know that Vatican II was not the only, or even the most important, Ecumenical Council.
10. Prospective priests are not embarrassed by Marian devotion, and are seen praying the Rosary.

Priestly vocations are everyone's job

Catholic News by Archbishop Thomas Wenski, Archdiocese of Miami, FL

There is much talk regarding the crisis of vocations to the priesthood. And here in the United States, we are rightly concerned given that our priests are aging and ordinations continue to be admittedly too few. In 2011, there will be no one ordained for the diocesan priesthood here in South Florida. Here in the Archdiocese of Miami, we have a goodly number of priests serving as pastors who are over 70 years of age. Thank God for them, but who will step in their shoes?

Young Americans today, many of whom have suffered the consequences of the divorce of their parents, fear making any long-term commitments. This fear to assume risks in the face of an apparently uncertain future also accounts for the contemporary crisis in marriage today. In the West (North America and Western Europe), young people caught in a culture of instant gratification and fleeting interests are in no rush to marry much less enter a seminary or convent.

Yet, on a global level, the total number of seminarians is higher today than it was in 1978 when John Paul II became Pope. During the almost 27 years of his pontificate, he inspired many young people to embrace a vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life. As he said in “Novo Milenio Ineunte,” “Young people, whatever their possible ambiguities, have a profound longing for those genuine values which find their fullness in Christ. ...If Christ is presented to young people as he really is, they experience him as an answer that is convincing and they can accept his message, even when it is demanding and bears the mark of the cross” (NMI, No. 9).

This worldwide resurgence of vocations is a hopeful sign. But it is also a challenge to us who live in what is called the West, where the numbers of vocations have yet to significantly grow. And I use the word “grow” deliberately, for vocations must be cultivated if the numbers are to grow. And that is a task for the entire Catholic community.

Priests should not only invite young men to consider a vocation to the priesthood, but also attract them by their priestly integrity and joy. Parents also should be willing to encourage their children if and when they wish to discern a vocation to priesthood or consecrated life. At the same time, teachers and just simple Catholics, when they see a particularly promising youth, should also encourage him or her to think about dedicating their lives to God’s service.

Despite conventional wisdom to the contrary, the priest shortage is not the result of celibacy, but of a crisis of faith and the closing of the window of man’s mind to infinity or transcendence. The desire to become a priest is nourished essentially from intimacy with the Lord, in a really personal relationship, which is expressed above all by the desire to be with him.

A superficial knowledge of Christ — the fruit of an inadequate or faulty religious formation — is a formidable obstacle to fostering vocations. Whatever can foster in children and youths the authentic discovery of the person of Jesus and of the vital relationship with him will be beneficial to awakening vocations.

World Youth Days — on a global level — have done just that, and we look forward to next World Youth Day in Madrid. A countless number of young priests and women religious attribute the “discovery” of their vocation because they went to one of these events where first John Paul II and now Benedict XVI have presented Christ “as he really is,” and they were able to experience him “as an answer that is convincing.”

Young people, whether in our parishes, campus ministries, schools or religious education programs, can and will respond to God who does not fail to call — for he is not outdone in generosity. They will be able to overcome “their possible ambiguities” with the confidence that Christian hope inspires — if all of us continue to support the ordained ministry of our priests, and if all of us support the young by introducing them to a personal and real relationship with Christ, a relationship that is nurtured with a solid catechesis and sacramental life.

Reprinted with permission from the Archdiocese of Miami.

* The Most Reverend Thomas Wenski is Archbishop of Miami.

Right now is a great time to be a priest

 Real Clear Religion by Father Robert Barron

This May 24th, I will celebrate my 25th anniversary as a priest. This past quarter century -- just shy of half my life -- has been joyful indeed, and I have never once regretted my decision to become a priest. The priesthood has taken me all over the world and deep into the hearts of people I've been privileged to serve. Some warned me long ago that I would be lonely as a priest, but I have never found this to be true. On the contrary, the priesthood has connected me to an incredible number of people in a wide variety of contexts. My life as a priest of Jesus Christ has been unconventional, creative, energizing, unpredictable, and exciting.

However I'd be far less than honest if I didn't admit that a shadow has brooded over almost the whole of my 25 years of priesthood. I'm speaking, of course, of the clerical sex-abuse scandal. The first wave of the crisis hit in the early 1990s when I was a doctoral student in Paris, just a handful of years after my ordination. Upon my return to this country, my deeply Catholic mother blithely informed me that when people asked what I did for a living, she responded "he's a writer." That's when I knew that something had gone terribly awry. Suddenly, it was embarrassing to be seen publicly with the Roman collar; suddenly, I found myself worrying, as I watched the news every night, what the latest revelation would be.

After the accusation against Cardinal Bernardin proved to be phony, things calmed down a bit. But in 2002, the scandal re-erupted with even greater destructive force. It seemed as though devastating reports were emerging on a daily basis. Some priests -- far too many -- had engaged in the most vile and disgusting behavior, and some bishops -- far too many -- had looked the other way, or even, it seems, had countenanced and enabled the wickedness. Priests began to be seen as members of "a criminal class," as Cardinal George of Chicago put it so memorably. Late night comedians commenced to use "the pedophile priest" as a standard comic type.

Just when this second wave began to die down, a third wave, in 2010, swept through Europe, as the crimes of priests and bishops in Germany, Italy, Belgium, and especially Ireland came to public attention. And to be frank, the pitifully inadequate response to the European outbreak on the part of the official church just made matters worse.

The Bible has much to say about this time. When you have a moment, consider the story of Eli the priest and his evil sons in 1 Samuel or the account of the angel army protecting the prophet Elisha in 2 Kings. But I would like to draw special attention to a passage in the 8th chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, which recounts a fierce persecution of the early church in the wake of the stoning of St. Stephen. With the exception of the Apostles themselves, the first Christians fled from the dangers in Jerusalem and moved into the surrounding areas. As a result, they successfully spread the word of Jesus far and wide. Philip, we hear, even preached to an Ethiopian eunuch who, presumably, brought the Christian faith back to his native country.

The point is this: it was the persecution itself which, in God's always strange and surprising providence, conduced to the great good of spreading the Gospel. Now please don't misunderstand me: I'm not insinuating for a second that I think the church is being "persecuted" unfairly today. I'm simply observing that God has a way of bringing great good out of even great evil. During desert times, people of faith, therefore, should always look for green shoots.

I can testify that one of the principal motivations for my work in evangelization through the media was to put forth a vibrant vision of the church precisely in this time of crisis. I was (and am) convinced that the Catholic thing in all of its beauty and truth and texture and power should not be reduced to the sex abuse scandal -- as bad as that is and as surely as it needs to be addressed. I realized that many of the great saints were called forth during periods of crisis and corruption: St. Benedict just after the collapse of Roman order; Sts. Francis and Dominic, when the clerical culture had become decadent; St. Ignatius of Loyola during the Protestant Reformation, etc.

I'm no saint, but I'm trying to imitate the saints in responding to our present day difficulties, not by retreating in fear or crouching defensively behind ecclesiastical walls, but rather by recovering the simplicity and integrity of the Gospel message. I am quite sure that my work in radio, TV, and internet, as well as the production of my documentary film on Catholicism, would not have happened had it not been for the scandals.

And this is why I would like to say to seminarians and to young priests just starting out: this is your time and it's a good time. I'm not engaging in wishful thinking here or whistling in the dark. I'm reminding them that this time of crisis -- and it is the worst crisis in the history of the American church -- should call forth their greatest creativity, energy, imagination, and evangelical enthusiasm. They should revel in the fact that they've been chosen by God, precisely at this moment, to be part of the solution.

Father Robert Barron is the founder of the global ministry Word on Fire and the Francis Cardinal George Professor of Faith and Culture at University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein. He is also the creator and host of a new ten episode documentary series called "Catholicism" and host of a weekly program on WGN America, Relevant Radio, EWTN and at www.WordOnFire.org.

Mothers of Priests Group Supports Sons' Vocations

NATIONAL CATHOLIC REGISTER BY JULIE PFITZINGER:

MOMS GATHER FOR A SPECIAL PURPOSE.

When Father John Helmueller was ordained to the priesthood 10 years ago for the Diocese of Sioux Falls, S.D., he was not the only member of his family to assume a new role.

His mother Mary, who lives in Maplewood and is a parishioner at St. Jerome, felt so blessed to become the mother of a priest on that day. But at the same time, she wasn’t quite sure what that meant for her own life.

Helmueller began to think and pray about ways to make connections with other mothers whose sons were priests, whether in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis or elsewhere, so that they could come together to find support and companionship with one another.

Five years ago, Mary Helmueller contacted Father Joseph Johnson, rector at the Cathedral of St. Paul, looking for some assistance with her plan.

“He agreed to be our spiritual director and selected three other mothers of priests to help me start a group in the archdiocese,” Helmueller said.

Now, with close to 70 members throughout the archdiocese, the Mothers of Priests group has truly blossomed. Helmueller said there are four pillars on which the organization is based: prayer, catechesis, service and community.

Every mother is asked to attend daily Mass and pray the Rosary for priests and vocations each day. If they are able, the mothers are also asked to make a Holy Hour each week. In terms of catechesis, the mothers meet for 8am Mass on the first Saturday of each month and then gather for a mini-retreat.

The service component includes sending anniversary cards to all active and retired priests, serving homemade rolls and coffee after their monthly Mass at the cathedral and hosting a lunch for mothers of newly ordained priests in May.

“We visit the mothers of priests who are in nursing homes or can’t come to our meetings,” Helmueller said. “We also want to find a way to connect to mothers whose sons are in different orders of the priesthood and not in the archdiocese. We believe they need our support and friendship, too.”

A more personal part of their roles as mothers of priests comes through their relationships with their sons, said Helmueller, who is frequently asked by her son to pray for parishioners at his church.

“It was St. Pius X who said that a vocation to the priesthood comes from the heart of God, but goes through the heart of the mother,” she said. “I believe it is absolutely necessary for a mother to be part of the son’s mission to save souls.”

Father Kevin Kenney, who has been a priest for 17 years and is pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in St. Paul, is well aware of the role the group plays in his ministry.

“They support us in prayer,” said the priest, whose mother, Dorothy, is a founding member of Mothers of Priests.

Both Mary Helmueller and Dorothy Kenney said they had a few inklings from the time their sons were young that they were going to eventually be called to the priesthood.

“Father John was born on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, so she had him from the start,” said Helmueller, who had been saying an extra decade of the Rosary every day, from her wedding day onward, for a religious vocation for one of her children someday (which includes two other sons and a daughter).

“Kevin ... kept holy pictures on a table right next to his bed from the time he was very young,” said Kenney, who raised seven children with her husband, Bill.

When asked about the special blessing of having a son who is a priest, Helmueller said knowing that her son can bring her the sacraments of the Church is very powerful.

“Since he is at the altar every morning for Mass, I feel like I am there, too, because my blood runs through his veins,” she said. “It is hard to put into words the joy I feel.”

Can beautiful churches produce vocations?

from gkupsidedown.blogspot.com by Father Dwight Longenecker

I know a young priest who was brought up as a Baptist. He went into a beautiful old Catholic Church during the liturgy. This was a classic neo-Gothic church with stained glass windows and a beautiful liturgy. He fell to his knees and said that he knew then and there that he not only needed to be a Catholic, but that he was called to be a Catholic priest. He's not the only one. I know two other guys who eventually made the same decision for the same reason, and numerous other converts who were drawn by the beauty and reverence of worship including the reverence evoked by the beautiful church.

The unknown architect of Glastonbury Abbey in England wrote, "I want to create a church so beautiful that it will move even the hardest heart to prayer." Can a beautiful church produce vocations to the priesthood? Perhaps we should reverse the question and say, "Does an ugly church discourage priestly vocations?" To answer the question we must think through, and come up with a theory of aesthetics and think through the reasons for both ugly churches and beautiful churches. Once we understand the mentality behind both we will be able to answer the question of whether a beautiful church can help produce new vocations to the priesthood.

The modern churches we deem 'ugly' are usually designed from a utilitarian point of view. Modern architecture has taken as it's creed Frank Lloyd Wright's dictum, "Form follows function." Therefore most modern architechts, when considering the building of a church will ask, "Where will everyone sit. What kind of an artificial sound system should we install? Where will the heating, air conditioning and toilets go? Where will the Sunday School rooms go? What about disabled access? Do we need elevators?" All these practical and utilitarian questions must, of course, be answered, but if they are the only considerations you will end up with a practical, inexpensive and ugly building. You'll end up with a building that is simply an auditorium.

Then, of course, Catholics will want their church to be 'pretty' so they'll spend lots of money adding a layer of gloss. They'll throw in some marble. They'll buy some second hand stained glass windows from an old church in Ohio or somewhere. They'll add a nice tabernacle or some statues. That's all well and good, but the building itself is still probably an ugly, utilitarian, cheaply built structure.

Suscipe Prayer Window, Saint Francis Xavier Church,
Mount Washington, Kentucky

We then have to ask what these churches say about the faith, for the church building is a sacramental. It states what we believe. A building, whether we like it or not, is a statement of our values, our faith and our world view. A cheap building with no inner integrity of beauty--a cheap building that is 'dressed up' to look Catholic or 'pretty' with decorations is superficial and shallow and only skin deep....just like our faith too often I'm afraid! In our superficial, face lift world we build churches that are superficial where the 'beauty' is really on 'pretty' and skin deep.

What about the liturgy that goes on in such buildings? Too often it also is superficial, sweet and comfortable and skin deep. Does such liturgy and do such buildings inspire vocations? Do they say to our young people, "Look what sacrifices we have made to worship God?" Do they say, "We have given all to build something beautiful for God"? or do they actually say, "It's okay to give God second best. It's okay to give him what's left over."? Do they come out of the building yawning and wondering what next for Sunday or do they come out full of awe and thankfulness for the beautiful worship of God?

A beautiful church, that required great sacrifice to build, on the other hand--combined with beautiful liturgy and an awesome and reverent worship of God is more likely to inspire the reverence and awe and sacrifice required of our young people who are thinking about a vocation.

This is my theory: sacrifice much to build a beautiful church and you will find that your children will sacrifice much to become the priests, brothers and sisters to fill that church for a next generation.

Road less traveled: Dominican Friars of Saint Martin de Porres

The Dominican Friars of the Province of Saint Martin de Porres minister in 11 states throughout the Southern United States. The Dominicans (also known as the Order of Preachers) was founded in 1216 by Saint Dominic Guzman. They continue their 800 year legacy of service to the Roman Catholic Church and the people of God throughout the world as educators, theologians, parish priests, retreat masters, hospital and prison chaplains. Produced and directed by Grassroots Films (creators of the "Fishers of Men"), this captivating and insightful 9 minute film provides you with a window into the their life of prayer, community, study and ministry

Lexington seminarian featured in Saint Meinrad newsletter

DcJeffreyOnTheHill

Why they call us Catholic...

h/t Deacon Greg Kendra over at the Deacon's Bench

 


Ultra-traditionalist Cardinal Raymond Burke ordained three new deacons for the Institute of Christ the King at their seminary near Florence on January 30th.

You can see more snapshots and learn more at the New Liturgical Movement website. Notice in the photo below, Mass as it used to be, with the celebrant not facing the assembly.

Meantime, want to sample something 180 degrees from the above?  To get an idea of just how wide-ranging our Catholic liturgy can be, check out this report from CNS, with an audio dispatch from Barb Fraze, sharing some of the jubilant bongo-banging mass of Kenya.

Further proof, if any were needed, that it’s a big church.

Christ is calling...will you answer

h/t http://marysaggies.blogspot.com/


Aggie Catholics: Apostles for the Church and the World from Aggie Catholic Media on Vimeo.

Argentinian Catholics applaud priest for courageously defending faith

from Catholic News Agency

An organization in Argentina has launched a campaign in support of Fr. Jorge Daniel Gomez, a
priest  being attacked by the media for stopping an anti-Catholic performance.

The organization, ArgentinosAlerta.org, said it decided to start the online campaign because
priests should be supported when they stand up for the truth, and not just criticized for their
failings.

A video posted on YouTube shows a clip from a Jan. 13 event known as the Chivo National
Festival. After Fr. Gomez, a priest from the Diocese of San Rafael, and his folklore band
performed, a group called The Lutherieces took the stage to perform a number from “Les
Luthiers.”

The Lutherieces were dressed as friars and performed a number mocking priests, saints and
Catholic devotions, especially chastity. 

Fr. Gomez, who was in the audience, bypassed security, came on stage and took one of the
microphones. He addressed the group in a firm but calm voice. “Could we please ask the
group to continue with a different number because we are all Catholic here, I am a priest and
I won’t allow my chastity to be tarnished.”

“I know you are excited to be here, but could you do something else?” The crowd of more
than  8,000 broke out in applause, and the group went on to perform a different song.

The next day, members of the media and social networking groups began attacking the priest.

ArgentinosAlerta.org then stepped in to defend Fr. Gomez.

Fr. Gomez is a “courageous priest who did not hesitate to publicly stand up for the faith of
his people which was being attacked on stage,” the organization said.

“Fr. Jorge teaches us that we need to be courageous when defending the faith, that when
our pastors speak out, the people will follow them, that it is possible to be respectful and
firm at the same time.”

The video can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrIFa_C2X78