Most new U.S. priests ordained in 2024 will be 31 years old or younger

Michie · Apr 16, 2024

Most of the men scheduled to be ordained as priests in the United States in 2024 are 31 years old or younger, according to the latest research from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University.

The Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) commissioned the annual survey of ordinands to the priesthood.

A total of 392 ordinands completed the survey. CARA says four in five respondents (83 percent) were from a diocesan or eparchy, and one in six respondents (17 percent) was a religious. The biggest group of responding ordinands (38 percent) is completing studies at one of the seminaries in the Midwest.

The statement from CARA listed some other characteristics of the Ordination Class of 2024, including:

Continued below.

Most new U.S. priests ordained in 2024 will be 31 years old or younger

Most of the men scheduled to be ordained as priests in the United States in 2024 are 31 years old or younger, according to the latest research from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University.

cruxnow.com

Solo81 · Apr 16, 2024

Our diocese has about 180,000 people; 118 churches and about 1,000 Marian grotto's.
We've had 2 ordinations in the last 6 years and i think 2 are studying for priesthood - both middle-aged afaik.

fide · Apr 16, 2024

Michie said:
Most of the men scheduled to be ordained as priests in the United States in 2024 are 31 years old or younger, according to the latest research from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University.

The Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) commissioned the annual survey of ordinands to the priesthood.

A total of 392 ordinands completed the survey. CARA says four in five respondents (83 percent) were from a diocesan or eparchy, and one in six respondents (17 percent) was a religious. The biggest group of responding ordinands (38 percent) is completing studies at one of the seminaries in the Midwest.

The statement from CARA listed some other characteristics of the Ordination Class of 2024, including:

Continued below.

Most new U.S. priests ordained in 2024 will be 31 years old or younger

Most of the men scheduled to be ordained as priests in the United States in 2024 are 31 years old or younger, according to the latest research from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University.

cruxnow.com

I realize that neither human nor spiritual maturity necessarily correlates with chronological age, but this data makes me nervous. When a thirty-something priest can become the pastor of a large parish, with the complete control over every act and apostolate in the parish that this makes possible, I am nervous. My experience has painfully demonstrated the imprudence of such a system of governance in our dioceses. What's the solution? We need spiritually mature bishops, pastors, seminary formators, and now, dare I say, cardinals and popes. The world has become too much with us. (IN us.)

AlexB23 · Apr 16, 2024

Michie said:
Most of the men scheduled to be ordained as priests in the United States in 2024 are 31 years old or younger, according to the latest research from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University.

The Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) commissioned the annual survey of ordinands to the priesthood.

A total of 392 ordinands completed the survey. CARA says four in five respondents (83 percent) were from a diocesan or eparchy, and one in six respondents (17 percent) was a religious. The biggest group of responding ordinands (38 percent) is completing studies at one of the seminaries in the Midwest.

The statement from CARA listed some other characteristics of the Ordination Class of 2024, including:

Continued below.

Most new U.S. priests ordained in 2024 will be 31 years old or younger

Most of the men scheduled to be ordained as priests in the United States in 2024 are 31 years old or younger, according to the latest research from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University.

cruxnow.com

Wow, these new priests are younger compared to one of my favorite anime TV shows, Yu Yu Hakusho, from 1992. I will not provide a summary, as the article is self-explanatory.

RileyG · Apr 16, 2024

Praying for more priestly vocations.

WarriorAngel · Apr 16, 2024

Solo81 said:
Our diocese has about 180,000 people; 118 churches and about 1,000 Marian grotto's.
We've had 2 ordinations in the last 6 years and i think 2 are studying for priesthood - both middle-aged afaik.

Ireland has been hit hard since all the secular anti-Catholic government rule sentiments came around.

Shane R · May 9, 2024

I was 33 when I was ordained a priest.

WarriorAngel · May 10, 2024

Shane R said:
I was 33 when I was ordained a priest.

Curious if you are Anglican Catholic or Anglican.

Either way, I am sorry for your loss.... BTW.
God speed.

Shane R · May 10, 2024

WarriorAngel said:
Curious if you are Anglican Catholic or Anglican.

Either way, I am sorry for your loss.... BTW.
God speed.

What is your definition of those terms? What difference do you perceive?

WarriorAngel · May 10, 2024

Shane R said:
What is your definition of those terms? What difference do you perceive?

Obedience to the Vicar.

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Most new U.S. priests ordained in 2024 will be 31 years old or younger

Michie

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