Archdiocese of Denver sees record number of new seminarians

After decades of priest shortages across the US, the tide may be turning in some parts of the country: This year’s class of seminarians from the Archdiocese of Denver is the largest in St. John Vianney Seminary’s history.

This fall, St. John Vianney Seminary is welcoming 23 new seminarians for the Archdiocese of Denver, nearly double last year’s already-record number of 13.

“God has blessed us with 23 men who have followed His call!” said Father Jason Wallace, archdiocesan director of vocations, according to Denver Catholic. “During this Jubilee year, it seems the Lord is blessing us abundantly through them, and what a gift they are to our archdiocese.”

The diocese has made a concerted effort in recent years to encourage young men to consider the priesthood. This year, the diocese began the “Called By Name” campaign, in which parishioners are encouraged to nominate young men they believe might have a calling to the priesthood. Archbishop Samuel Aquila then sent a letter to each nominated man, inviting him to participate in groups and events to discern whether they were indeed called to enter seminary.

“I am grateful that our faithful recognized this pastoral potential in so many young men in our archdiocese,” Archbishop Aquila said, according to Denver Catholic. “Our archdiocese needs more priests to shepherd, to father, our parish communities by offering the sacraments, especially the Most Holy Eucharist, and calling each of us to deeper conversion and encounter with Jesus Christ.”

Archbishop Aquila is known as a staunch defender of the Catholic faith, particularly its teachings on the sanctity of life. He has emphasized that priests should not settle for perfunctorily performing the duties of the priesthood but conform their lives entirely to Christ’s, as CatholicVote previously reported.

Johnny Cabazos, one of the 23 new seminarians for the diocese, said he was somewhat intimidated by the idea he might be called to the priesthood.

“I’m excited, but I’m also nervous, a little overwhelmed and, at times, even a bit sad,” he told Denver Catholic. “There’s a quiet fear in leaving behind the life I’ve known, the comforts and the routines, and stepping into something completely unknown. And yet, there’s also deep joy, peace and a real sense of hope.”

To summarize, Cabazos said, “I feel alive.”