Seminaries: signs and challenges

Although priestly vocations have been decreasing across Europe over recent years, Poland registered a considerable increase in the number of young people in seminaries. The Conference of Rectors, in their recent annual meeting, identified a 10% increase. Polish media describe this phenomenon as a “Pope Francis-effect”, but there might be more to it. Anna Kowalewska for SIR Europe spoke about the situation of vocations with Monsignor Marek Solarczyk, in charge of the Pastoral Care of Vocations for the Polish Bishops’ Conference. The first figures show that students in seminaries have grown by approximately one hundred more compared to last year. Who are these members of the “digital generation” who opt for the seminary? Are they escaping a consumerist, careerist and loud world? Or are they following a different path? “Exact figures will be released in mid-October, when all seminaries will have begun their activities at full pace. In all 90 Polish seminaries over 4thousand will begin their studies. Some of them decide to enter the seminary only a few years after having obtained a high-school diploma. But this doesn’t mean they hold a university degree. It often happens, even in our diocese of Warsaw-Prague, that after having attended university courses for two-three years the youths decide to enter a seminary. They interrupt their university course to undertake a new formative and human path. Of course we cannot rule out that some of them may be ‘escaping’ from the world. But I personally know of many cases that prove the opposite is true”. That is…?”I have known young people who after having spent a few years in the seminary decide to take a break to ‘live in the world’, i.e. to see whether they can manage on their own. They want to make sure their vocation is not an escape from daily life. Some of those who interrupted their life in the seminary, completed their university degree and eventually returned to the seminary confident of their own motivations, have become excellent presbyters. We should all discover the true reasons underlying our choices and see to what extent we are under the influence of the world around us. But given the media’s recurring criticism of the Church in Poland, I think that the youth should ascertain their motivations before deciding to enter the priesthood: in fact, they ought to be sure they are willing to be identified with a community of which so many bad things are said overlooking the positive aspects”. Must candidates to Polish seminaries follow a preparatory course before undertaking the path leading to the priesthood?”They must indeed. Preparatory courses can last from a few months up to a full year. In the two Warsaw dioceses we have a separate seminary for the candidates to the priesthood. I must say that this method has delivered outstanding results. Students follow a special preparatory study program while attending some first year courses of the seminary program. During that period we aim to enhance their spiritual experiences. Many courses focus on the practice of prayer, with the lectio divina, the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and also biblical courses, which enables them to delve into the richness of the Bible and of Church life. The first semester is devoted to human formation and to workshops. The seminary is on the outskirts of Warsaw, in a town where there also are homes of the Samaritan nuns, in which the students do volunteer work. Even this is an excellent formative experience. But it’s very important that during the preparatory year students be closely followed by superiors and moderators to better recognize their true vocation”. In your opinion will the upward trend in priestly vocations continue also in the coming years?   “I hope so. But we are also aware of the truthful words of Paul VI reiterated in the Message for the Day of Vocations: “the number of students is a sign of the vivacity of ecclesial communities”. Vocation is a mystery, but it’s also a challenge for us priests. This is true for the ecclesial community as a whole. It can help families raise their children so they may discover their own vocation. The growth in the number of priestly vocations in Poland is certainly a positive fact, but we can’t afford to rest on laurels since these achievements don’t just pour out. It’s an ongoing challenge and this is how we have to live it. I have no doubt that it’s also the fruit of the Year of the Faith, of the World Youth Day in Brazil and of Pope Francis’ Christian witness”.