The Catholic Message Board

The crowd filling the pews and aisles of the largest Catholic church in the United States witnessed the largest ordination class in Archdiocese of Washington in 64 years, as Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory ordained 16 new priests for the archdiocese during a June 15 Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

It is the archdiocese’s largest ordination class since 1960, when 17 men were ordained the year that John F. Kennedy was elected as the nation’s first Catholic president.

Besides the Washington Archdiocese, other U.S. archdioceses have seen record ordination classes this spring, including the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, with 13 new priests, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles with 11 and the Archdiocese of Milwaukee with nine.

https://www.oursundayvisitor.com/4-arch ... -churches/

Wonderful news but it has to be said, hopefully the Church is now vetting seminarians well to keep out unsuitable candidates.

It is very hard for a bad man to get admitted to seminary, let alone complete the process.

We had 6 this year. About average.

Obi-Wan Kenobi wrote: ↑Tue Jun 18, 2024 6:49 pm It is very hard for a bad man to get admitted to seminary, let alone complete the process.

In a sort of irony, I think the diminished numbers that started to happen in the 60's has forced a reformed version of seminary formation. When my uncle went through the seminary in the early 70's my impression of it was like a frat house environment that if not carefully controlled can get out of hand. That's opposed to now in our region anyway, where the seminarians study many of the courses at the Catholic university along with the general population. They also participate in Ignatian spiritual formation with the laity. I did a Ignatian live in retreat for a week about 14 years ago which included Priests, nuns and seminarians all participating. That sort of thing didn't happen back in the day and I think it's a healthier way. A good cross pollination so to speak.

Stella wrote: ↑Tue Jun 18, 2024 5:57 pm The crowd filling the pews and aisles of the largest Catholic church in the United States witnessed the largest ordination class in Archdiocese of Washington in 64 years, as Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory ordained 16 new priests for the archdiocese during a June 15 Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

It is the archdiocese’s largest ordination class since 1960, when 17 men were ordained the year that John F. Kennedy was elected as the nation’s first Catholic president.

Besides the Washington Archdiocese, other U.S. archdioceses have seen record ordination classes this spring, including the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, with 13 new priests, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles with 11 and the Archdiocese of Milwaukee with nine.

https://www.oursundayvisitor.com/4-arch ... -churches/

Wonderful news but it has to be said, hopefully the Church is now vetting seminarians well to keep out unsuitable candidates.

This commitment to vetting candidates thoroughly is essential for maintaining the integrity and credibility of the priesthood.