Seems reproduction without any seminarians will remain an issue.

Nobody has a vocation to an independent apostolate other than a hermit.

I talked to Father Pfeiffer on the phone just the other day. (It's the second time in my life - so don't get the impression that I'm Father's mouthpiece!) He has definite plans for founding a seminary this academic year.

He's still working on rounding up the faculty for the seminary (as well as for the projected school). He said that some classes (plural) will be given via Skype, since one or more professors will have permanent apostolates elsewhere than in Boston, KY. He said that in the old days Society schools often didn't have all the teachers lined up until a day or two before the start of classes, and that it would probably be the same in Boston this coming academic year.

About fifteen young men are interested in coming to the Boston, KY, seminary. Most of them are from out of the country, and it will take them a while to get visas. (I didn't ask what country, and he didn't say. I heard from someone else that there are some from the Philippines.) As a result, Father Pfeiffer thinks that a good estimate of the number of seminarians for this coming October is five. (I am not sure why, but he's planning to start in October this year rather than September.)

Father Pfeiffer says that he will need someone to teach the seminarians English grammar, as well as make sure they're up to speed in "reading, writing, and arithmetic" (Father Pfeiffer's words). Also, he told me that he's looking for someone to teach Latin.

The reason that I've been talking to him and Father Hewko about the seminary and school projects is that I was considering teaching there. Recently, however, I concluded that I will be unable to do that for the moment.

The point is that Father Pfeiffer is not automatically excluding laymen as professors of Latin, English (as a second language), and math. So if you know anyone who would be qualified, don't hesitate to put them in contact with Father.

And don't forget about the school. They'll also need lay teachers to get the school going. Here's an old discussion about the school project: http://www.cathinfo.com/catholic.php/Resistance-boarding-school

God bless all volunteers!

In amore Veritatis,

Sean Govan

Not a good idea filling the seminary up with Third World candidates. They will suddenly discover they have a vocation, go through the motions of learning Latin or whatever .... and then scarper in due course to hide among the general population.

Not a good idea filling the seminary up with Third World candidates. They will suddenly discover they have a vocation, go through the motions of learning Latin or whatever .... and then scarper in due course to hide among the general population.

 :confused1:

I don't understand your explanation of why it's not a good idea.

If they come to his seminary and discover that they do indeed have a vocation, then why would they be any more likely to leave and "hide among the general population" than anyone else who comes to the seminary and "suddenly discover(s) they have a vocation"?

Or maybe you meant to write "discover they don't have a vocation..."? Or "discover they have a vocation to the married state..."?

I'm confused.

I think he's saying that they are likely to use and abuse the seminary to gain access to the US. Then leave once they have residency.

Is that even possible? Wouldn't they lose their visa if they left the seminary?

If anyone can do it, it's Fr. Pfeiffer.  He has the energy, zeal, and closeness to Our Lord.  I've been witness to him converting a complete stranger in about 20 minutes.  But lest anyone accuse me of idolatry, he has plenty of flaws which I will not name!  Keep him in your prayers.  And who cares if the seminarians come from outside the U.S.?  The seminary will not be luxurious, and the work will be challenging, especially if they have to learn English.  Weeding out unworthy candidates should not be hard in a class of five!  We need holy priest-warriors, not American or English-speaking priests.

If anyone can do it, it's Fr. Pfeiffer.  He has the energy, zeal, and closeness to Our Lord.  I've been witness to him converting a complete stranger in about 20 minutes.  But lest anyone accuse me of idolatry, he has plenty of flaws which I will not name!  Keep him in your prayers.  And who cares if the seminarians come from outside the U.S.?  The seminary will not be luxurious, and the work will be challenging, especially if they have to learn English.  Weeding out unworthy candidates should not be hard in a class of five!  We need holy priest-warriors, not American or English-speaking priests.(emphasis added)

That hits the nail right on the head!

"We need holy priest-warriors, not American or English-speaking priests." Teach me the Faith, in the first place, and give me the sacraments, in the second place, and I will owe you an eternal debt of gratitude!

Anyway, let's assume that the fifteen candidates have upright intentions until and unless they they prove otherwise.

Quote from: Frances

If anyone can do it, it's Fr. Pfeiffer.  He has the energy, zeal, and closeness to Our Lord.  I've been witness to him converting a complete stranger in about 20 minutes.  But lest anyone accuse me of idolatry, he has plenty of flaws which I will not name!  Keep him in your prayers.  And who cares if the seminarians come from outside the U.S.?  The seminary will not be luxurious, and the work will be challenging, especially if they have to learn English.  Weeding out unworthy candidates should not be hard in a class of five!  We need holy priest-warriors, not American or English-speaking priests.(emphasis added)

That hits the nail right on the head!

"We need holy priest-warriors, not American or English-speaking priests." Teach me the Faith, in the first place, and give me the sacraments, in the second place, and I will owe you an eternal debt of gratitude!

Anyway, let's assume that the fifteen candidates have upright intentions until and unless they they prove otherwise.

Give me a holy priest from anywhere in the world and I'll be just fine. I've
known some very dedicated Asians, Latinos, Africans, Indians (from India)
and others.  American culture is so steeped in materialism, it's a tough go
to find good young men.  But they do exist.  

About a century ago the majority of the world's priests were coming from
Ireland.  A few years ago, there was one ordination in the entire country.
That was NovusOrdo, though.

One must not be so naive about newcomers to the West. To the outside world, the streets of America (and Europe) are paved with gold. The 'college visa' route is a notorious backdoor entry point; once inside the country impressionable young minds decover the 'delights' around them and eventually vanish. America is full of 'illegals'.

Better no seminary if this is the only way to fill it. Have we run out of French candidates? American/European sensitivities have to be considered otherwise they will vote with their feet.