What do we know about the men who are being ordained to the priesthood this year?

Plenty!

The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) has released its annual report on those who are being ordained in the U.S. during this Year for Priests. The report, commissioned by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), contains an overwhelming amount of statistics and demographic information. Here, in this week's top ten list, I will provide ten statistics regarding this year's ordination class that I found especially interesting:

(1) 55% have more than two siblings.

Even more staggering, 24% have five or more siblings. Clearly the heroic generosity and openness to life of their parents created a rich soil for priestly vocations.

(2) 67% regularly prayed the Rosary before entering the seminary.

Just one more indication of the close connection between the Rosary--and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary in general--and a deep, personal commitment to Christ and His Church.

(3) 65% regularly took part in Eucharistic adoration.

Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI have promoted the practice of Eucharistic adoration with perhaps unprecedented fervor over the past decade or so. In some places, possibly influenced by the liturgical aberrations of the 60s and 70s, there was initial resistance, but increasingly the People of God are embracing the opportunity to spend "face time" with Jesus, and we are seeing the fruit of this praiseworthy practice. 

(4) 31% were born outside the country.

Many factors play into this number, which is pretty consistent with what we've seen the past 10 years. We do recognize in this number (a) the blessing of immigrants in this country and in our Church, and (b) a veiled challenge to the established American Catholic culture to live the faith more wholeheartedly and fruitfully. 

(5) 49% attended a Catholic elementary school, 38% attended a Catholic high school, and 39% attended a Catholic college.

These numbers aren't especially noteworthy (in fact, having two or more siblings is a more significant indicator than Catholic school attendance!), but they do affirm the important role of the elaborate Catholic school system in our country. The statistic I'm going to keep my eyes on is the number of homeschoolers in the mix. This year 3% of the new priests were homeschooled, for an average of seven years. The average age of those being ordained this year is 37. Since homeschooling became more of a phenomenon on the Catholic landscape only over the past two decades, I expect this percentage to become even more significant in the coming years. 

(6) 19% attended a World Youth Day, and 8% attended a Franciscan University of Steubenville high school youth conference.

From personal experience I know that the World Youth Day in Denver in 1993 in particular played a significant role in attracting young men to the priesthood. And I had to give some love to my alma mater, Franciscan University of Steubenville, which has been a singular instrument of renewal in the Church over the past quarter century. 

(7) 85% have seen the "Fishers of Men" DVD published by the USCCB.

This is kinda self-serving. The USCCB produces a video, makes seminarians and prospective seminarians watch it, and then commissions a study on newly ordained priests that points out that the overwhelming majority have seen the video. So, I doubt there's much of a cause-and-effect relationship between the video and ordination. Still, it is an excellent resource, and I'm sure it supported many on the road to ordination. 

(8) 37% have a relative who is a priest or religious.

It's genetic! (Hey, some gay activists use this ridiuculous theory!) Seriously, though, families where the faith is lived and breathed often experience a flowering of religious and priestly vocations. And the "role model" effect of having someone close to you embrace such a vocation may also be a significant contributing factor. 

(9) 78% were encouraged by a priest to enter seminary, while very few were influenced by vocational "advertising."

I never really went for the ads (even though right now I'm wearing my "Got Monks?" baseball cap as I type!). I think happy, effective, zealous priests are the best "advertising tool," especially when they appropriately invite young men to consider following in their footsteps.

(10) 50% were discouraged by parents or other family members from considering the seminary; 15% were discouraged by priests; 4% discouraged by religious.

This is one of the "negative" statistics, but it's also a challenge and opportunity for us Catholic parents to consider how open we are to having our children embrace the priesthood or religious life, and to encourage our Catholic friends in those areas. And clearly this statistic shows that from the very beginning, rejection and sacrifice go with the territory when it comes to following Christ.

All the numbers aside, the most important point here is the approximately 440 men will be ordained to the priesthood this year for service in the United States. Praise God for this immense blessing to all of us!