Record number of Dallas seminarians is answer to prayers

The Diocese of Dallas has a record number of 19 new seminarians, Bishop Kevin Farrell announced recently.

“Indeed
the Holy Spirit has been working through parents, priests and our
vocations staff to bring about this blessing for our diocese. The
prayers of many have been answered,” the Bishop of Dallas said on his
blog Aug. 19.

The number is an increase from last year, when 11
men entered seminary. Fifteen of the new seminarians come from the
Diocese of Dallas.

“It is great to have some good news to report
these days and a record number of 19 new seminarians is certainly good
news,” Bishop Farrell said.

There are now 70 seminarians studying for the diocese, an increase from 56 in 2010.

Twelve
of the new aspirants to the priesthood will attend Holy Trinity
Seminary, two will go to St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston and two will
attend Assumption Seminary in San Antonio.

Two more will attend
seminary in Mexico City, while one will attend Pope John XXIII Seminary
in Massachusetts, which is intended for older seminarians.

According
to 2008 statistics on the diocese’s website, the Diocese of Dallas has
an estimated Catholic population of 1.1 million out of a population of
3.7 million.

However, only around 560,000 are registered in a parish. 

There are about 175 priests in the diocese, about 61 of whom are
diocesan. They help serve 67 parishes.

 

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