US Diocese of Columbus doubles number of seminarians in two years

By Fr. Paweł Rytel-Andrianik and Tomasz Zielenkiewicz

“When I was installed as bishop for almost two years, there were no priestly ordinations in our diocese. At the end of my episcopal ordination, I told the congregation that this year more men would be ordained bishops than priests.

Archbishop Earl Fernandes, bishop of the American diocese of Columbus, Ohio, recalled this anecdote in an interview with Vatican News on the same day that Pope Francis released his message for the 61st World Day of Prayer for Vocations, which the Church celebrates April 21. 2024.

Group photo of Mgr Fernandes with diocesan seminarians

Speaking to Vatican News, Archbishop Fernandes said 16 men entered the seminary last year, adding that the diocese has seen an increase in the number of Catholics.

The diocese also expects nearly a dozen additional young men to enter the seminary this year, he noted, attributing the increase to prayer and renewed efforts at pastoral action.

Archbishop Fernandes pointed out that the Pope's message was published on the feast of Saint Joseph, which also marks the solemn inauguration of the pontificate of Pope Francis, 11 years ago.

“Joseph was a simple man – a husband, an adoptive father – who answered the call of the Lord,” Archbishop Fernandes said. “Similarly, we have many priests who say yes to the Lord, devoting their lives to service, giving and offering. people hope – the hope that comes from the Holy Eucharist, the hope that comes from forgiveness. »

“We have chosen young priests to meet once a month with young people in the region, and they will discern their vocation to the diocesan priesthood or religious life, and read Fr. Brett Brannan's book “For Save a thousand Souls: A guide to discerning a vocation to the diocesan priesthood“, declared Mgr Fernandes.

As part of the vocations campaign, the Diocese of Columbus also organized retreats called “What is going on?» for high school students.

“The young people spend three days in prayer, listening to testimonies, talking with priests who understand what priestly formation is but who also love fraternity to see that it involves more than prayer, study and work. This has also been very fruitful,” said Bishop Fernandes.

Archbishop Fernandes speaking to Vatican News

He also stressed the importance of prayer on the part of the lay faithful, as well as the religious men and women of the diocese.

“We constantly urge people to pray and fast for vocations,” he said.

“The idea is that they must, like the apostles, proclaim the joy of the Gospel,” concluded Archbishop Fernandes. “We sincerely hope that our seminarians will have a true missionary impulse, so that they can be the Church that the Holy Father Francis calls us to be, a Church that moves forward.”