Why do you want to become a priest
I decided to be a priest because it's something that makes me happy, makes me complete
I feel joyful about the life I have chosen to live. We are in the best sense of fraternity, a group of brothers who are all responding to the call of the Lord Jesus
St. Joseph's Seminary in the Dunwoody section of Yonkers has a centuries-old tradition of preparing young men for the Roman Catholic priesthood
I felt this is how I also want to serve the Lord, as a priest
29-year-old seminarian, Calistis Ibe left his home in Nigeria to study here
Once he's ordained, he plans to serve in a parish in the Diocese of Brooklyn
Did you ever have any doubts or did you question your decision? Of course, I did a couple of times, especially actually in college
Calistis consulted a spiritual advisor about his doubts. He did ask me a single question
Are you happy being in the seminary? His answer came easily. And I told him, yes, I feel happy being here
He's one of 75 men enrolled here at the seminary, which at its height had more than 200 seminarians
For decades now, there has been a steady decline in the number of young men choosing this vocation
We've been through a bit of a slump. I think COVID impacted our efforts at recruitment
Bishop James Massa is the rector and president of St Joseph Seminary He answered God call to serve 40 years ago Since that time the reputation of the Catholic Church here and worldwide
has been marred by the clergy sex abuse scandal. It's been a time of purification
It's been a time of introspection for the church. We failed in profound ways in protecting young people
Here at St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, they've been training and educating young men to become Catholic priests since 1896
In more modern times, things are more challenging. And they'd like to see that change here and attract more men to consider a life in the priesthood
We're beginning to see lots of interest through the college campus ministry associations
At the beginning, it was not easy because, again, transition from one place
from the type of life to another life, requires a lot of commitment, discipline
Seminarian Juan Herrera is 36. Juan left his home and his family in Colombia to come here to study for several years
He was ordained in June. Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation
On this night, he's doing homework, practicing celebrating Mass. Sounds like you think the world is in need of more priests
Yes. Because? Because they need somebody to look at it. Somebody who leads them to new realities where people can find hope, joy
The bishop agrees. The greatest joy in life comes when you make a gift of yourself to others
And that's what a priest does. Sharon Crowley, Fox 5 News