Cathal Barry25 men attended an open day for those discerning a vocation
The president of the National Seminary in Ireland has said he is “encouraged and heartened” by an apparent increase in enquiries about vocations.
Msgr Hugh Connolly, president of St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, made his comments after 25 men attended an open day for those discerning a vocation to the priesthood at the national seminary last weekend.
“It’s great to see that there is a healthy interest in the priesthood and what appears to be a lot of people who are discerning a life of ministry,” he told The Irish Catholic.
However, Msgr Connolly warned “this does not necessarily translate into numbers entering the seminary in the autumn”.
“While the open day gives us a sense of numbers interested, there is no expectation that they will take the next step and sign up. Some may even decide they are called to other forms of ministry such as the missions or religious life,” he reasoned.
The college head also praised current seminarians for their efforts in organising the successful event.
“It was a great opportunity for those discerning the calling to priesthood to meet with seminarians who have gone through the process of discernment and adjusting to life in seminary.
“The open day is a form of peer ministry that we find works best. The students did an excellent job,” he said.