Archdiocese of Chicago

[ferio]

Does anyone know if the seminary program of the Archdiocese of Chicago is orthodox?

What are good orthodox parishes in Chicago?

Who are some good priests in Chicago?

 

[chicago]

I suppose this is a question for me try fielding, considering my interest in vocations and username.

I’m going to skirt it slightly, though. The thing is, I always find it difficult to answer when someone asks if something is “orthodox”. For I’m not exactly sure what it is that they are REALLY looking for, more specifically. I might recommend a priest, for instance, whom I consider “orthodox”, but if he doesn’t jive with someone’s personal preferences and requirements to be labeled as such, for whatever their reasons, then the person will be disappointed and distrustful of what I’ve offerred.

That said, there are plenty of good priests in Chicago and lots who are certainly not wildly “unorthodox”. There are quite more than a few who would clearly be considered faithful. And there are plenty who probably come closer to following every jot and tittle.

The same goes for parishes. Really, it all depends upon your personal tastes and what works for you.

The seminary system here is generally good, and it’s rectors solid, if not always as excellent as it could be in every degree.

While Mundelein (the major seminary) has it’s own personality and isn’t the kind of St. Charles Borromeo, for example, that some who want “orthodoxy” would prefer, it is said to be slowly but surely changing in a positive direction from it’s more challenged history of recent times.

St. Joe’s (college seminary) is a respectable institution generally spoken well of by it’s student seminarians. It has a partnership with Loyola University, on whose campus it resides and from which the students receive their diplomas after four years of study there.

Quigley (high school seminary) does a fine job and has been doing all the better in recent years, but is closing at the end of this academic semester.

There are several other preparatory seminary programs.

Chicago is also the home of the Catholic Theogical Union. Though not associated formally with the Archdiocese of Chicago’s seminaries, numerous men (particularly from various religious orders) study there in preparation for the priesthood. It is typically considered more liberal in perspective.

 

[ferio]

Do any of those seminaries in Chicago follow

Thomistic philosophy and theology?

 

[ferio]

For example, would those seminaries be open to someone who for lack of a better description a “EWTN” type Catholic, like as traditional as you can get in the Novus Ordo and sympathetic to the Indult Latin Mass movement and in to pro life activism.

 

[batteddy]

Well, my parish (St. Mary’s in Lake Forest) is very orthodox, I think. Thoroughly Novus Ordo, but conservative. They generally have given us very orthodox priests.

I find it sad that they do that (ie, give the best priests to the parishes they know will demand them and have the money), but they generally have given us very good orthodox priests who match the conservative flavor of our parishioners.

 

[nkmeck]

As an aside, I’m from Pittsburgh and I helped minister at a retreat at Mundelein in December. I have to say it is probably the most aesthetically pleasing place these eyes have ever seen. As for its seminary program, I cannot say. But I do wish I could have hung out there a little longer than 3 days.

God Bless

 

[chicago]

Do any of those seminaries in Chicago follow

Thomistic philosophy and theology?

I don’t know (and highly doubt) that it is taught exclusively, but it certainly isn’t ignored. Fr. Henry Kricek who teaches in conjunction with the St. Joseph’s Seminary program is well respected as a Thomist, for instance.

 

[chicago]

Well, my parish (St. Mary’s in Lake Forest) is very orthodox, I think. Thoroughly Novus Ordo, but conservative. They generally have given us very orthodox priests.

I find it sad that they do that (ie, give the best priests to the parishes they know will demand them and have the money), but they generally have given us very good orthodox priests who match the conservative flavor of our parishioners.

That’s more a function of what kind of pastor seems well suited for a parish’s particular environment. The priests who are of like mind then tend to find a way to flock together, whatever their bent. It’s just part of how the process works in interviewing and applying for assignments.

 

[chicago]

For example, would those seminaries be open to someone who for lack of a better description a “EWTN” type Catholic, like as traditional as you can get in the Novus Ordo and sympathetic to the Indult Latin Mass movement and in to pro life activism.

Well, you might be interested in the Society of St. John Cansius, which is based in Chicago for something like that, specifically.

More generally, I think that things are moving more in that sort of direction. Not entirely, mind you. It isn’t like there is a great outcry for the indult Latin Mass among seminarians, or anything. But that sort of perspective might be found more acceptable today than it was 20 years ago here.

However, discernment of priesthood is always a journey. It’s like dating. All you can do is inquire and see whether things work out or not. I wouldn’t expect to have everything fully accepted of one’s perspective wholly, but neither would I think that you’d be automatically denied just because of it, either. Of course, there has to be a certain give and take. If someone is just very rigid about things, the experience may not go as well as it otherwise could.

So if you’re interested in Chicago, make some calls, come and visit, see how you like it and whether anything seems to fit. There are certainly many people who would welcome you here!

 

[runnerryan]

I’m in my last year at Mundelein. It is not a perfect institution, but then I’ve met other seminarians from most of the larger seminaries in the country and none of them are.

Maybe answering some of your specific questions will help.

I can say that The Gospel of Life group here at Mundelein is very active in pro life activities. We’ve studied quite a bit of Aquinas. He was used heavily in our moral theology classes and the last major assignment I have to do before graduation is going to be a 10 page on the Trinitarian and Christological thought in Aqinas’s writings.

Email me if you want

ryan.e.larson@us.army.mil

or go to www.chicagopriest.com, the vocations page for the Archdiocese. Chicago’s current vocations direcotr Fr Joe Noonan, and Fr Ken Carlson who will be taking over this summer, are both great men and great priests.