It’s priestly ordination day today here in the Diocese of Arlington, and I’m encouraged yet again by the extraordinary priestly life evident here in the diocese. In other dioceses’ ordinations that I’ve attended, the overall impression is of an aging priesthood. In Arlington the impression is the exact opposite. The priesthood is young and strong and thoroughly dedicated.
Just as an eyeball estimate, the average age is somewhere in the 40s, decades below the national average. What is the secret?
I feel that our priests are above all prayerful. But there is also something special about the way they carry their priestly identity. It’s not prideful or arrogant or “clerical” in the sense that people probably rightly find offensive, but, and this is key, they are not embarrassed. They don’t hesitate to tell people the difference between right and wrong. They are comfortable in the liturgy, careful and not rushed.
Six priests and seven transitional deacons were ordained this spring. I had met a couple of the new priests in Rome, at the coffee bar at the Angelicum, and they were great, polite guys. And now, today, forever, they are priests. And as success in a presbyterate tends to lead to further success down the road, the future looks bright indeed.
wonderful to hear. Just like like with nuns, why would any dedicated and spiritual young, Catholic man or woman, choose to be a government functionary like my 70 year old plus pastor who is an "Obama drooler". a man whom I would refuse to minister to me on my deathbed. It would be as repulsive to me as St. Thomas More allowing "Archbishop" Cranmer to hear his last confession
Even though he hasn't been vocation director for years, I would say that the impetus began with Fr. Jim Gould, a fine priest, a good man, a manly man who had no tolerance for games, psychobabble, and silly talk.
Bishop John Keating had much to do with it.
Don't forget Arlington's first bishop, Bishop Welsh, who invited an order of contemplative nuns back in the 70's to pray for vocations. In think that was part of it!
I had the privilege of meeting Bishop Welsh in the rectory where I was working, perhaps 6 months before he died. I spoke about chant, and he spoke about the In Paradisum.
Here's an article about Fr. Gould's vocations strategy http://www.ad2000.com.au/articles/1995/apr1995p5_…
Keating was a "hands off" bishop who had the good sense to trust Fr. Gould. Trust me.
Deo gratias! May all dioceses take a lesson from Arlington, and may Arlington continue to learn and grow deeper in Christ! The Church is a glorious mystery indeed.