New U.S. priests are increasingly younger. This is what emerges from the statistics released by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. As reported in a notice from the Agency Zenith, in 2011 more than half of the ordinations will involve (have involved) people aged between 25 and 34 years. A trend, that of increased ordinations for the young priests, that has occurred for the fifth consecutive year.
The survey, carried out by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University, highlighted the ethnic breakdown: 69% are European, Caucasians and American, 15% are Hispanic/Latino and only 10% originate from Asia and the Pacific Islands.
As for the religion of origin, the majority of respondents declared to be Catholic from birth, while 8% came into the Church later. And if one third of the ordained priest already have a relative who belongs to some religious order, the report highlights how 21% of those who have been ordained, attended World Youth Days before entering the seminary.
Another aspect is that the practice of prayer. 70% of total declared to be assiduous in reciting the rosary regularly, while 65% participated in Eucharistic adoration before entering the seminary.
Lastly, the vocation. On average, respondents began to feel it around age 16.
And it was a priest who urged 66% of the respondents to consider the priesthood.
Hat tip to the Opinionated Catholic on this one! GEAUX TIGERS!
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