In his teachings, Jesus highlighted the essence of love, revealing his longing for a deep connection with both God and humanity.
When questioned about the greatest commandment, he distilled the divine message to the fundamental tenets of loving God and one another.
As articulated in John 13:34-35, Jesus not only desires that we love him but also wishes for us to mirror that love in our interactions with the Father, the Holy Spirit, and our neighbors.
This deep yearning for love and unity among humanity finds a particularly profound expression in the vocation of the priesthood.
However, the Archdiocese of Denver faces significant challenges concerning its priesthood.
While the call to spiritual leadership is essential, current statistics reveal a concerning disparity: the laborers are few amid an abundant harvest.
Recent reports indicate that barely half of the active priests in the Archdiocese were educated within the local seminaries, St. John Vianney and Redemptoris Mater.
The remaining 51% consists of priests affiliated with religious communities, visiting clergy, or those who have relocated to Denver from outside the state.
Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila noted that only 14% of the priests in active ministry were born in Colorado, highlighting the Archdiocese’s reliance on vocations from other regions, both domestically and internationally.
He stressed the importance of these diverse backgrounds as they provide critical support in serving communities across the plains, mountains, and urban corridors of Denver.
Despite the presence of dedicated priests, a significant challenge persists: 37% of the parishes are staffed by only one priest, creating a burdensome reality for those tasked with such responsibility.
This situation is particularly acute in Hispanic communities, where approximately 40% of parish Masses are conducted in Spanish, necessitating more priests who understand the language and cultural context.
The Archdiocese is thus blessed to have devoted priests, yet the figure of 4,054 Catholics per priest underscores the pressing need for more clergy, especially given that a sufficient local supply would yield only 148 priests to adequately meet the needs of all parishes.
To address this vocations crisis, the Archdiocese launched the Called By Name campaign last May, aimed at nurturing a culture supportive of young men considering the priesthood.
Father Jason Wallace, the archdiocesan director of vocations, explained the initiative’s hope to foster an environment where families encourage their sons to pursue a priestly calling.
He emphasized that cultivating the right culture will keep the concept of vocations at the forefront of community consciousness.
Yet, the need remains acute; the Church is in desperate need of hundreds of brave men willing to embrace God’s call to serve neighbors, the Church, and ultimately, God himself.
Father Wallace asserts that the foundation of the priestly life is rooted in a personal relationship with the Trinity.
This relationship should guide every seminarian and priest, allowing their love of God to blossom into love for all souls.
Moreover, Father Angel Perez-Lopez, rector of St. John Vianney Seminary, elaborated that a priest’s exercise of pastoral charity must align deeply with the love that Christ has for his flock.
A priest’s role transcends merely tending to community needs; it is about embodying Christ through profound engagement with his people.
Father Wallace likened a priest’s duties to those of a father, emphasizing the role’s requirements of radical availability and sacrifice in providing spiritual care through sacraments and comforting support during life events like hospital visits and emergencies.
This call to love in a radical way represents both the challenges and the essence of the priestly vocation.
According to Father Perez-Lopez, charity is at the core of seminary training, vital for spiritual priestly formation, and influences all parts of a priest’s journey.
The key to loving the Church lies in developing a close relationship with Jesus, the Bridegroom, which, as Father Brady Wagner noted, leads to a zest for Christ’s Church and its teachings.
This journey toward understanding the Church through the lens of her saints offers hope — priests work to inspire their communities, encouraging individuals to acknowledge and embrace God’s love and glory.
Potential candidates for the priesthood should not feel intimidated by the noble calling.
God’s grace is promised to those who seek Him earnestly, affirming that through Him, all things are achievable.
Father Perez-Lopez encouraged those discerning their vocation to abandon fear, referencing the words of Pope St. John Paul II, asserting that discovering God’s will is the ultimate fulfillment.
Father Wagner also urged prospective candidates to take risks, trust in God’s guidance, and cultivate an environment of silence to hear God’s calling.
This effort will demand dedication, but he assured that the rewards far surpass worldly treasures.
The path to discovering God’s will is found clarity through prayer and a heart attuned to Jesus’ voice.
While there are many who might ignore the call to the priesthood, often due to fear or misconceptions, Father Wagner remains hopeful.
He emphasized that many men express a sincere desire to share the joy they’ve found in Christ with others, serving as a testament to God’s ongoing call.
With an increase in the number of young men entering formation in the Archdiocese, now totaling 65 at both seminaries, there is indeed a glimmer of hope for the future of the priesthood.
However, the demand for more priests is evident, prompting a need for stronger foundations to support the Church’s mission in this apostolic age.
The example of the dedicated priests in the archdiocese inspires potential candidates to embrace the call.
Father Wallace expressed gratitude for the invaluable contribution of his brother priests, noting that their day-to-day interactions with young men spark the initial interest in priestly vocation.
The path forward hinges on collective efforts to cultivate a culture of vocations, which requires communal prayer, encouragement, and support — both materially and spiritually.
The aspirations of Father Wallace, Father Perez-Lopez, and Father Wagner stand clear: they hope to foster a thriving priesthood that will meet the spiritual needs of God’s people.
Through such initiatives, the Archdiocese of Denver seeks to ensure that God’s call is embraced and fulfilled, leading individuals to experience the abundant life offered through Christ, ultimately glorifying the Father.
image source from：https://www.denvercatholic.org/love-the-church-serve-the-church-denvers-dire-need-for-priestly-vocations
