Very interesting article.  In our house, we have three boys and it is my hope that at least one of them would be called to the priesthood.  I pray for that.  To that end, we talk about how some are called to the priesthood and that it’s important to ask God what He wants your vocation to be, but of course we stress that they are young and have plenty of time to hear from God on that (they are 9.5, 7, and 7).  We also try to have our priest over to the house once a year.  We’d have him over more often but he’s extremely busy.  All my boys really look up to him and like him, so that is good.  He is a good example of a man called to the priesthood who is also a lot of fun and personable (most priest probably fit this but some don’t).  Another thing my husband and I do to encourage that a vocation to the priesthood is worthy of consideration is to always appreciate the priests that come into our lives by praying for them, sending them birthday cards, and thanking them for serving us. 

Mostly though, I pray.  I would love it if all four of my children (we have one daughter) were called to religious vocations.  I figure, God gave them to me to raise, I can give them back to Him as adults. 

great article - thanks for sharing - but I didn’t find the references to scouts or Steubenville? I’d love to have that data to share with other moms.

Faith formation in our homes is so important I agree.

A few things did surprise me.  Research/survey are always interesting to me because the numbers can be looked at in so many ways and some numbers omitted depending on what we want to show.

They mentioned a total of 480 potential ordinations for 2011 (69% or 275 filled out the survey—that does not add up maybe I messed that number up..)  Is this number an increase or a decrease in ordinations from 2010?  I think the average age was 34—I was surprised-I thought it was younger.  I do think life experience is helpful for the priesthood so 34 is good. We have been praying for feverently for vocations—are the numbers up yet?  And if they are not up, why not?

66% of potential ordinations had encouragement from their parish priest.  I thought that should be higher!!!  Why weren’t the remaining 34% encouraged?

1/3 of potential ordinations were born outside the US—interesting.  Are vocations fostered more outside the US?

From your comment Lisa I would have thought the majority came from large families—(re: siblings being important..) whereas 50% had 2 or more siblings (does not specify 2, 3 or 4) and 25% had 5 or more.  Could that mean the majority came from small families of 3 or less children?  One of my college friends entered the priesthood and he was an only child.  His mom was willing to surrender to God’s will but she was heartbroken at the thought of her only son/child becoming a priest.  (I never understand that back then—I thought she was selfish..) I think that is a big sacrifice—whereas a large family is not denied grandchildren so I think it may be easier to see one of their son’s become a priest.  (This friend dropped out of seminary and later married)  I think small families foster the faith as much as large but I would look at the sibling difference in this way—more priests have siblings because it is easier for their parents to let one of their children not marry (versus having their only child marry)

I’d like to see an honest survey from current priests in the US (maybe anonymous..).  The newly ordained—how are they doing a year or 2 out?  How many priests leave the priesthood each year and why?  (I have no data but hear of more than I would expect leaving in our diocese) How are our priests doing with the increase workload and number of parishes we are placing on them?  (I worry about them and the increased expectations we place on them. I think they need to be able to focus solely on the sacraments)  Maybe their is a survey like this out there?

Praying all God’s graces for those getting ready for ordination.

I tracked down a link to the entire report - you can read it for yourselves at http://www.usccb.org/vocations/classof2011/ordination-class-2011-report.pdf - I pulled my comments from several different write ups, and am not sure which one had the scouting/Knights/Steubenville references, but I am sure those are covered in the full report. Enjoy!

In 2010 there were 440 potential ordinations and in 2011 that number went up to 480 so maybe things are heading the right direction:)