“I will give you shepherds after my own heart”
(Jer. 3:15)
The formation of future priests, both diocesan and religious, and lifelong assiduous care for their personal sanctification in the ministry and for the constant updating of their pastoral commitment is considered by the Church one of the most demanding and important tasks for the future of the evangelization of humanity.
-St. Pope John Paul II, Pastores Dabo Vobis, paragraph 2.
Priesthood (Holy Orders)
The vocation to ordained ministry “is essentially a call to holiness in the form which derives from the sacrament of Orders. Holiness is intimacy with God, it is the imitation of Christ, who was poor, chaste and humble; it is unreserved love for souls and a giving of oneself on their behalf and for their true good; it is love for the Church which is holy and wants us to be holy, because this is the mission that Christ entrusted to her” (Pastores dabo vobis, 33).
Discerning a Call?
Helpful Discernment Videos
Seminary Formation
“Seminaries address four types of formation: human, spiritual, academic (intellectual) and pastoral. In addition to the academic course work, seminarians participate in a full schedule of spiritual activities, e.g., daily mass, Liturgy of the Hours (Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer), and spiritual direction and retreats.”
-Taken from the USCCB, FAQs- Priesthood, Ordination, Seminary, Question 9.
Questions & Answers
Taken from the Seeds of Hope Magazine, issue 26, p. 24. Click here to view issue 26 and previous issues.
Day in the Life as a Seminarian
“Do not be afraid to accept this call. You will surely encounter difficulties and sacrifices, but you will be happy to serve, you will be witnesses of that joy that the world cannot give. You will be living flames of an infinite and eternal love. You will know the spiritual riches of the priesthood, divine gift and mystery” (XL World Day for Vocations, 5).