Hispanic community prays for more priests

Study says Latinos account for 54% of the total U.S. population growth*

April 25, 2017

ARLINGTON, Va.  – On Sunday, April 30, the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Arlington, will pray with the Hispanic community during a Mass at Saint Anthony of Padua Church in Falls Church.

More than 1,500 people are expected to attend.

As the Hispanic population increases, so too does the need for more native-Spanish speaking priests become larger.  According to a Pew Research Study, Latinos account for 54% of the total U.S. population grown between 2000 and 2014. With more than an estimated 200,000 Hispanics, the Arlington Diocese offers Mass in Spanish in 35 of the 69 parishes. All seminarians are required to learn Spanish by undergoing an 8-week immersion program in Guatemala where they live with a Spanish-speaking family and study 6 to8 hours a day.

Father J.D. Jaffe, Director of the Office of Vocations says this Mass is important. “This is an opportunity for the Bishop to pray specifically with the Hispanic community asking God to bring forth the shepherds he needs to best serve them and their needs in the future,” he says.

Details of the annual Mass for vocations:

When:                                   Sunday, April 30, 2017

                                               3:30 p.m.

Where:                                 Saint Anthony of Padua Church

                                               3305 Glen Carlyn Road

                                               Falls Church