We recently reported on a group of young men from the Gaylord Diocese interested in the priesthood. Of these five, four of them came from one parish, ie, Holy Rosary Church in Cedar. We described the possible reasons for this lopsided representation, including participation the the Traditional Latin Mass.
We have learned since then that the fifth young man interested in the priesthood is a regular attendee of the Traditional Latin Mass in Elmira. Therefore, what all of the current five prospective seminarians of the Gaylord Diocese have at this time is regular exposure to the Traditional Latin Mass. It seems as if this form of the Mass inspires young men to consider the priesthood, possibly in a more significant way than the Novus Ordo Mass.
We have had good and orthodox young men be ordained in this Diocese who have not been familiar with the Traditional Latin Mass, but with ALL of the recent possible prospects for the priesthood coming from Traditional Latin Mass parishes, questions arise. Will these young men, if they attend the Pontifical College Josephinum, be taught the Traditional Latin Mass? At this time, it is not being taught and seminarians are not required to be competent with saying this Mass. Will they lose their vocation if they are prohibited from learning and saying the Traditional Latin Mass? Will they choose to go elsewhere for their vocation (other than our Diocese) in the expectation that they will be able to say the Traditional Latin Mass? Will they even be taught Latin? With almost no exceptions, although many seminaries teach some Latin, in no way are ordained priests these days fluent or even familiar with the language. Will these young men, if they endure the mediocre training of most American seminaries and be ordained, even be able to say the Traditional Latin Mass if they somehow learn it? Does Bishop Walsh understand the importance of Tradition in the lives of these young men? Would he support their vocations?
These issues are not particular for just our Diocese. Across the United and States and in many other countries, the challenge of vocations is a real crisis. Please continue to pray for good vocations.