US ordination class of 2010: 31% foreign-born; 10% are converts

April 19, 2010

A survey of US seminarians who will be ordained this year has found that 31% were born outside the United States, with most coming from Mexico, Colombia, the Philippines, Poland and Vietnam.

Among the other findings of the survey:

the average (mean) age of ordinands is 37; the median age of diocesan ordinands is 33

10% are converts

37% have a relative who is a priest or religious

55% have more than two siblings

49% attended a Catholic elementary school, and 39% attended a Catholic college

60% completed college before entering the seminary; 92% held full-time jobs

16% had a parent with career military service

78% were encouraged by a priest to enter the seminary; few were influenced by vocational advertising

50% were discouraged by parents or other family members from considering the seminary; 15% were discouraged by priests, while 4% were discouraged by religious

19% attended a World Youth Day, and 8% attended a Franciscan University of Steubenville High School Youth Conference

67% regularly prayed the Rosary before entering seminary; 65% regularly took part in Eucharistic adoration

the seminarians typically began to consider a priestly vocation when they were 18

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Ordination Class of 2010 Completed College, Held Jobs, Participated in Parish Ministry Before Entering Seminary (USCCB)
• The Class of 2010: Survey of Ordinands to the Priesthood (Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate)