What do I mean? Well take the Legion of Christ, the Norbertines, FSSP, Institute of Christ the King, Miles Jesu, Heralds of the Gospel and the like… if bishops would simply ALLOW these folks to come in…
† The Fraternity of St. Peter is double-bunking seminarians in rooms designed for single senior seminarians
† In Rome Miles Jesu is sticking extra beds where they can for their new members
† In less time than the most orders have been around Bl. Theresa of Calcutta’s Missionaries of Charity have grown to over 4,500 nuns and is active in 133 countries. The numbers of the priests and brothers are ALSO growing.
† A lay association called the Heralds of the Gospel… "Comprised mainly of young people, this Association is established in 57 countries. Its members practice celibacy, and are entirely dedicated to apostolate, living in separate houses designated for young men and young women. " When JPII blessed their formation and gave his approval, over 1,000 YOUNG members gathered in Rome to celebrate.
Here is a list of orders that are growing and that celebrate the Tridentine Mass (a rite the most of the bishops in dying diocese would likely cross the street to avoid!):
- Monks of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel
- Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem
- Canons Regular of the Mother of God
- Religious Institute of the Holy Cross of Riaumont
- Benedictines - Triors
- Benedictines - St. Pierre de Clairac
- Benedictines - Randol
- Benedictines - Le Barroux
- Benedictines - Gaussan
- Benedictines - Fontgombault
- Benedictines - Clear Creek
- Institute of St. Philip Neri
- Fraternity of St. Vincent Ferrer
- Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest
- Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter
- Apostolic Adminstration of St. John Mary Vianney
Oh yea… all of them are GROWING. Certain of these groups have been given parishes that otherwise would have been closed… and are now building SCHOOLS. Invite any of those orders into your diocese, give them the most run down parish in the worst neighborhood and see what they do with it in three years.
† The Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration have no more rooms and are recommending young women to other houses. Any bishop that invited these gals to take up residence in one of the many empty convents or rectories that dot the landscape would be lucky to have them.
† The Nashville Dominicans report they have more Sisters than ever in their 142-year history - median age is 36. Invite these gals to come teach in some of your schools or work in your diocese and see what character they would bring.
† Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist haven’t finished building their new motherhouse yet and are already almost out of room. Offer THEM a building and see what will happen.
† The Legion of Christ has suffered from scandal that has lead to the retirement of its founder. Time will tell what the effects of that scandal - and weather it is true or not…. But here is the thing about that conservative order so fiercely loyal to the Holy Father: “the Legion’s nine seminaries have turned out 650 ordained priests. That is up from 210 priests in 1990. The Legion’s ranks also include about 2,500 seminarians studying to be priests.
In the past thirty years there have been more than 1,000 converts to Catholocism from the ranks of Evangeical, Protestant, and Anglican clergy. Many of them have become priests and deacons. Bishops willing to work under the Pastoral Provision who let it be known they are willing to help some of these men become priests or work as deacons would reap a WINDFALL of orthodoxy. Many of them are very active in lay ministries and apostolates. More than a few of them have brought converts with them.
I guess my three point plan in simple:
- Allow sui juris Catholic Churches that have always ordained married men, to do just that…
- Look to diocese that DO attract healthy orthodox candidates to the priesthood and send your vocations director to theirs for a few weeks to take notes…
- Allow the growing orders and groups that CAN attract vocations to function freely in more places.
- CONTROVERSY WARNING possibly allow for the ordination of older married men who have served as deacons. We are approaching the point where we HAVE had married clergy in the Latin Church for over three decades. Perhaps, JUST PERHAPS, dispesnations could be granted for some of them to seek presbyteral ordination.
In the end I rally don’t think celibacy is the issue in vocation numbers (we can do well without the married) or vocation suitability (we can do well WITH the married). I think the call to holiness and the call to calling is.
