{"id":116163,"date":"2022-10-28T00:05:55","date_gmt":"2022-10-28T04:05:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thecollegefix.com\/?p=116163"},"modified":"2022-10-27T15:51:26","modified_gmt":"2022-10-27T19:51:26","slug":"this-small-catholic-college-produces-priests-nuns-and-other-religious-vocations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thecollegefix.com\/this-small-catholic-college-produces-priests-nuns-and-other-religious-vocations\/","title":{"rendered":"This small Catholic college produces priests, nuns and other religious vocations"},"content":{"rendered":"

80 priests so far produced by Thomas Aquinas College<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

A small Catholic college with locations in California and Massachusetts continues to produce priests, nuns and other religious vocations year after year.<\/p>\n

Around 10 percent of Thomas Aquinas College alumni enter priesthood or religious life, according to Christopher Weinkopf, communications director for the 500 student school. This summer, Augustine Wilmeth (pictured<\/em>) became<\/a> the 80th alumnus priest. Five years prior, the college reached 71 alumni priests, meaning it has had nine more priests ordained in five years.<\/p>\n

Religious life could include joining an order such as the Dominicans, Franciscans or Benedictines and living as a nun or religious brother.<\/p>\n

The College Fix<\/em>\u2019s former cartoonist Pat Cross<\/a>, now with the Norbertines, is among those alumni pursuing the priesthood. Three of his fellow Aquinas grads joined him<\/a> this year.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe deep spiritual life of the College \u2014 which includes four Masses a day plus a curriculum ordered to theology \u2014 surely plays a role in helping students discern their vocations, as many of our alumni attest,\u201d Weinkopf told The Fix<\/em> via email.<\/p>\n

Students also have ready access to spiritual direction to help them with their discernment.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe also have full time chaplains on both campuses who serve as role models for our students and provide spiritual direction,\u201d Weinkopf noted. \u201cThe College additionally regularly hosts various vocations talks from dioceses and religious orders.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Fix<\/em> reached out to several priests to ask them about their experience at Thomas Aquinas College and how it helped their formation but none responded.<\/p>\n

Success has captured attention of the Vatican<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The success of Thomas Aquinas College in producing vocations has attracted the attention of Catholic Church higher-ups.<\/p>\n

The Office of Vocations for the Vatican, meaning the pope and his officials, asked for input in 2007 from the college on its success.<\/p>\n

The late president of the college, Thomas Dillon, cited<\/a> the classical curriculum as one source of formation. The college offers only one degree, based on the \u201cGreat Books.\u201d<\/p>\n

He wrote that \u201ctheology is given pride of place in our curriculum, and all the disciplines we study are ordered to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Students in \u201ctheology tutorials\u201d are required to \u201c study the Scriptures\u2026the original works of the great Fathers and Doctors of the Church, and\u2026the writings of St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas.\u201d<\/p>\n

The college also has an \u201cinstitutional bias toward the priesthood and religious life,\u201d according to Dillon.<\/p>\n

\u201cMoreover, as president of the College, I have made it a point to attend, whenever possible, the ordinations of our alumni priests,\u201d the late president wrote. \u201cIt is edifying indeed to witness the anointing with oil and solemn laying on of hands, and words fall short in conveying the tremendous pride and gratitude I have each time I receive the Holy Eucharist from the hands of a former student.\u201d<\/p>\n

MORE<\/strong>: College students grow in their faith at Newman Centers<\/a><\/p>\n

IMAGE: Thomas Aquinas College<\/p>\n

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