The call to holiness is a universal call, valid for all human beings without distraction of age, profession, race or language. Just as all are redeemed, so all are called. The vocation to holiness means putting into practice, in one’s own daily life, the example and teaching of Jesus Christ
St. John Paul II
Staff
About Us
In a world so full of noise and distractions, it seems to be increasingly difficult to hear Christ’s call to priesthood and religious life. Our work focuses on providing parishes, schools, and other Catholic entities with resources to remind men, particularly young men, to listen intently and see if God is calling them for a vocation to the priesthood or other religious life. We organize an annual retreat for boys to discover what God is calling them to do in their lives. Gatherings through the year are hosted for men considering the call to priesthood. Discerning a vocation to religious life is not something that seems natural in today’s world, and finding resources or like-minded people to talk to about it can be difficult. We are here as a resource for parishes, schools, families, and individuals as they seek to create and embrace a culture of vocations. There are many obstacles to discernment, and sometimes all someone needs is a supportive presence or a loving nudge in the right direction. Once someone is on the path to religious life, that support and guidance is ever more important. Our office provides support not just to those who may be discerning a vocation, but those who are in priestly formation in a seminary.
Meet Our Seminarians
Leave of Absence from Seminary
St. Francis Xavier Parish, Acushnet
Lucas finished 3rd Theology at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, MA. He requested additional time for discernment before ordination to the diaconate. Bishop da Cunha has accepted his request for a year leave of absence from formation. Maintaining official seminarian status, Lucas will not be living at a seminary or rectory, and he will be finding employment for the duration of his leave.
Immaculate Conception Seminary, South Orange, NJ
Corpus Christi Parish, East Sandwich, MA
Kaíque arrived from Brazil in December 2023, transferring from the seminary of the Canção Nova Community. Corpus Christi Parish in E. Sandwich has become his new home parish. He completed his first semester of 3rd Theology at Immaculate Conception Seminary in South Orange, NJ. He will have three more semesters of formation at ICS before ordination to the diaconate. For summer 2024, Kaíque was assigned for ministry at Holy Family Parish in East Taunton.
Pope St. John XXIII Seminary, Weston, MA
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, New Bedford, MA
José is from Portugal and was accepted as a Fall River seminarian in 2023. Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in New Bedford has become his new home parish. Having recently obtained his student visa, he is enrolled as a seminarian at Pope St. John XXIII Seminary in Weston. While living at the seminary, José will be taking English language courses at the EF School in Boston. Previously as a member of the Montfort Missionaries, he completed his theological course requirements for ordination. Nonetheless, before ordination to the diaconate in the Diocese of Fall River, he will complete three semesters of formation at Pope St. John XXIII Seminary.
Mount St. Mary Seminary, Emmitsburg, MD
Transfiguration of the Lord Parish, North Attleborough, MA
Evan, from Transfiguration of the Lord Parish in North Attleborough, was accepted as a seminarian in August 2024. He is 25 years old and graduated from Assumption College in Worcester with a degree in Biology. He will be attending Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD for the Propaedeutic Stage required by the new Program for Priestly Formation 6th Edition.
Our Lady of Providence Seminary, Providence, RI
St. Anthony Parish, New Bedford, MA
John, from St. Anthony Parish in New Bedford, was also accepted as a seminarian in August 2024. He is 25 years old and has been working as an electrician since he finished high school as a homeschool student. He will be attending Our Lady of Providence Seminary, which incorporates the benchmarks of the Propaedeutic Stage into freshman year of college.