PROSPECT HEIGHTS — After years of decline and a long period of steadiness, priestly ordinations in the United States have shown a modest rise at the same time more adults and teens are entering the Catholic Church — a pairing that is stirring hope for future vocations. 

The most Catholic priests ordained in a single year in the U.S. were 994 in 1965, but a gradual decline has followed since. That’s according to data from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University.

Ordinations in recent years have stabilized to about 400 new priests nationwide. Last year, 405 men were ordained priests in the U.S., including seven in the Diocese of Brooklyn. Nationwide ordinations reached 428 priests this year, with Father Paul Zwolak the only priest ordained in the diocese.

But one data point is sparking optimism for future vocations — this year’s dramatic surges in adults and teens joining the Church across the U.S.

In Brooklyn and Queens, 1,288 people — including 683 catechumens and 605 candidates — became fully initiated Catholics on April 4 during the Easter Vigil. That’s a 33% gain over the previous year.
Father Chris Bethge, director of vocations for the Diocese of Brooklyn, said he hopes these conversions result in more priests.

“Wherever we gather people around the Eucharist, we begin to appreciate that the only way to have the Holy Eucharist is through the sacrament of Holy Orders,” Father Bethge said. “So, the more that we’re drawn into the Eucharist, the more people have a desire to serve the Eucharist, especially as a priest.”

Time will tell.

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Meanwhile, Father Bethge keeps reaching out to prospective future seminarians. He is on the faculty of Cathedral Preparatory School and Seminary — a Catholic high school and minor seminary in Elmhurst (his alma mater, Class of 2007), where he teaches theology. 

But as vocations director, he oversees a full slate of activities for youth from middle school through young adulthood.

For example, “Fraternitas” for boys in grades 6, 7, or 8 promotes virtue, fraternity, and vocational discernment through get-togethers and recreational events. 

The process continues with “Project Andrew” for high school students. Next, the “Jeremiah Project” is a discernment program specifically for high school seniors and young adults who are actively considering the priesthood. 

The diocese also sponsors vocation retreats, vocation fairs, and one-on-one guidance for men applying to the seminary. 

Father Bethge explained that since he has no pastoral duties at any particular parish, he visits different ones on weekends to concelebrate Mass and promote vocations. He aims to visit each parish in the diocese, which can take a couple of years. Once that goal is reached, he will start all over again. 

And Father Bethge knows he can’t do it alone. 

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“I’m looking at a CARA report,” he said, “and one of those facts that’s true this year, that has been true every year, is that the No. 1 encouragement for guys to consider the priesthood is a parish priest inviting them to think about it. 

“So, our priests know that we need to pray for vocation. Our priests know that they need to encourage vocations.” 

The same goes for parishioners, Father Bethge said.  

But, he noted, everyone should not be discouraged when some discerning men ultimately choose not to enter the seminary. 

“You may invite somebody who you think has all the qualities, but if it’s not a call from God, it’s not going to work,” Father Bethge said. “But that’s one of the things in vocation work that’s beautiful, because we learn to trust that God knows his plan.”