Thirty young men are presently studying and training to be priests in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. If they follow their present intent they will about double our clergy since March 29, 1962 when the archdiocese was established.

Of special note: Father Jerry Hardy, the new director of American vocations, has told me that at least five local candidates, mostly from St. Pius and St. Joseph Schools in Atlanta will enter this fall.

In Washington, Bishop Bernardin and I spent a pleasant evening with our three students at Theological College of the Catholic University of America. Last summer, the bishop with Father Jariath Burke, director of Irish vocations, visited all the men in Ireland who have generously volunteered for our diocese. During 1968, we will visit the four other American seminaries where we have students.

They are an interesting lot—honest, learning, humble enough in this world of self-seeking people, restless to a degree, questioning to a greater degree. But the virtue the Church is seeking today is fidelity, loyalty, good faith. In disturbing times—e.g., after a Council,--this has always been the case. I mean fidelity, not blind obedience; loyalty to the Church even when it is difficult to give it to other churchmen; good faith, not a foolish “me-too’ attitude. It is my impression that these men of ours are faithful and loyal to Christ and His Church, “good faith” is a form of faith itself. Their studies, their writings, their involvement in the works of justice and mercy—the reports we receive from the seminaries about them—all are encouraging.

I am sure that this Catholic generation of Georgians and those to come will be well served by our present and future priests.

High Above Rome

Our man in Rome is Patrick McCormick, resident of Erie, Pa., and graduate of Notre Dame. He has spent several summers in Atlanta and Rome, Ga. and will be ordained in 1969.

I would like to quote some of the fine reports on Pat by the rector of the North American College, on Janiculum which looks down on busy St. Peter’s Square and the great basilica. But it would not be fair to our other men on whom we receive equally fine comments. This is a tribute to the kind of seminarian Atlanta sends. Before the present vocational directors started to work in 1966, Msgr. Patrick J. O’Connor (now retired) made his own vocation the selection of candidates. His tireless work produced many of our present priests.

Pat, with four seminarians from Charleston, S.C., and Youngstown, Ohio, joined Msgr. Norman Kelley and me in an outing on Sunday, Nov. 26. After Mass and lunch at the college, we rented a station wagon and drove through the walled Italian towns above Rome. In Frascati and Castel Gandolfo, we saw the public wine fountains in the square, and the pope’s summer home. We intended a very modern Mass in the hometown of the martyred saint, Maria Goretti—lector, altar facing the people, and everyone responding and singing in joyous Italian. We visited the Anzio cemetery where thousands of American victims from World War II are buried.

Despite the rich scenery and good dinner at Grotto-ferrata, most of the time we talked—of “the States”, the great university of the Gregorian where they all study in Latin, of changes, authority and liturgy. As in the United States they raised all kinds of questions, out of a deep conviction of the priesthood they are seeking.

While in Rome, I attended four days of meetings at the International Committee for an English liturgy (sponsors of the new English Canon), took part in a lively panel for the American priest-students on Viva Umilta, and recited the Angelus with Pope Paul Sunday noon. His voice was strong and resonant when he appeared in his window.

But the most fascinating time of all, as at Louvain University in Belgium, was spent with these young men who will serve our people. Especially Pat McCormick.

Near Waterloo

I had never been to Belgium, the tiny nation that has suffered so much in wars of the great powers. And I had not met Louis Naughton, our student at the venerable, but thoroughly modern University of Louvain.

So I flew to Brussels, and was immediately involved in a thick fog which Belgians say (as Floridians say about the rain)—“it hardly ever happens here.’ After train, bus, plane and car travel. I just don’t believe it.

Brussels is a blend of ancient guild-halls, a 14th century cathedral and the home of the Common Market. The ancient part of its fight for freedom and its rough treatment in the tow world wars is evident all over, but so are the modern apartments and main avenues of lights and sounds.

I did not go out to waterloo because I am not familiar with the Napoleonic era as I am of the Battle of Atlanta. Instead I visited the American College where about 65 young Americans live while they attend the university.

Louis Naughton is a graduate in civil engineering from the University of Galway, and also studied in a special mathematical program at the University of Leeds in England. In a short two months, he has won the friendship and respect of the American seminarians.

God Calls a Man

God calls a man in His own particular style. Louis was touring Naples and Sorrento in the south of Italy when he met a group of American students from Rome on the day Pope Paul visited the United Nations. To his long-standing idea of being a priest was now added the needs of such southern dioceses as our own. He returned to Ireland, and later met Pat McCormick, and then Bishop Bernardin and Father Burke. After theology he will be ordained for Atlanta.

As in Rome all classes are in Latin, at Louvain, the lectures are in French, Louis is doing well, and his strong academic background has been a good asset.

That afternoon we called on Cardinal Suenens of Malines. While he and I talked nearly three hours on renewal, the Synod, the liturgy and his new book on “Co-Responsibility,” Father Breiren showed Louis and another priest around, and then we all gathered for a social chat. The Cardinal asked to be remembered to his friends in Atlanta.

I was invited to speak on the Liturgy to all the Americans. Again the questions reinforced my deep confidence in this generation of priest-to be. It isn’t simple to blend the virtues of hones, open inquiry with those of fidelity and obedience.

It takes mature men to do that. Men like Pat McCormick and Louis Naughton, and some 30 more studying for Atlanta in our American and Irish seminaries.

I ask your prayers for them—everyday.

Paul J. Hallinan

Archbishop Of Atlanta