Category Archives: Seminarians and Seminaries

ASK FATHER: What can we do to get these men into seminary?

From a reader: I am a Youth Minister at a parish and have probably a dozen young men (age 12-19) who are discerning calls to the priesthood and are interested in seminary. I have young priests at the parish, but they are reluctant … Read More →

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Mail from priests, Priests and Priesthood, Seminarians and Seminaries | Tagged , ,
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Should a seminary headline a homosexualist activist as a speaker?

I’ve been made aware that Theological College in Washington DC, for their “Alumni Days” coming up in October, is scheduled to have homosexualist activist Jesuit Fr. James Martin as their speaker. HERE Theological College is the National Seminary of Catholic … Read More →

Posted in Our Catholic Identity, Seminarians and Seminaries, Sin That Cries To Heaven, What are they REALLY saying?, You must be joking! | Tagged , ,
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The crisis of priestly vocations: good advice from a smart priest

More on the issue of vocations to the priesthood.  Allow me, first, to say that the “crisis” of vocations was created and it’s perpetuation is also not only tolerated but, in some places, fostered.  That said, it is probable that in most … Read More →

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests, Priests and Priesthood, Seminarians and Seminaries, Semper Paratus, The Coming Storm, The future and our choices, Turn Towards The Lord | Tagged , ,
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IN THE WILD: “Prayer For Vocations” spotted

I had a great text cross-country SMS from a colleague in the TMSM this morning at a little church in Shell Lake, WI.  Here is a poster at the parish… First, I am delighted that they found – note the … Read More →

Posted in Just Too Cool, Priests and Priesthood, Seminarians and Seminaries | Tagged ,
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A reader has fun with a seminarian, a great book, and an “ordination tambourine”

A seminarian sent this… Hello Father, I wanted to let you know that one of your readers, upon reading this post, sent me a copy of Pope Emeritus Benedict’s new book on the priesthood. I received it a few days ago … Read More →

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Tradition = vocations – It isn’t rocket science

I contend that the shortage of vocations is a self-inflicted wound. Yesterday, here in the Diocese of Madison, the Extraordinary Ordinary and the seminarians concluded a week of praying together, talks, activities, hanging out with each other and priests.  Among … Read More →

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Thanks from seminarian: The BIRETTA PROJECT!

The other day, HERE, I mentioned that new seminarians of the diocese, gathered for their annual week with the Extraordinary Ordinary, have been measured for their birettas as part of the ongoing BIRETTAS FOR SEMINARIANS PROJECT. So far, this project has … Read More →

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Of seminarians, books, birettas, new vestments, and wherein Fr. Z is very pleased

Every summer the Extraordinary Ordinary of the Diocese of Madison, His Excellency Most Reverend Robert C. Morlino, gathers all the seminarians for about a week of fraternity and conferences.  We are in full swing. Today, I celebrated Holy Mass for … Read More →

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Did Pope Francis insult some young priests? Fr. Z opines and tells a story.

This isn’t the sort of thing that should pull much of our attention or energy.  However, I have been asked about it in email by a surprising number of people, including priests. It seems that the site Messa in latino picked … Read More →

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Francis, Mail from priests, Priests and Priesthood, Seminarians and Seminaries, The Drill | Tagged , ,
22 Comments

Female altar servers up, ordinations down

In once-Catholic Austria, now female altarettes outnumber male servers.  HERE Nearly a quarter century after the practice of female altar servers became licit, 55% of Austria’s 45,000 altar servers are girls, according to statistics published by the Archdiocese of Vienna. … Read More →

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Priests and Priesthood, Seminarians and Seminaries, The Coming Storm, The Drill, The future and our choices | Tagged , ,
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