Vocations

Deacon Acuña discovers renewed faith in the example of St. Dominic Savio

June 16, 2024
By Sarah Torbeck
Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, New Priests 2024, News, Vocations

During his diaconate year at Sacred Heart in Glyndon, Deacon Acuña has been blessed to assist his community sacramentally by performing house blessings, baptisms and other pastoral duties that are often delegated to deacons; but he admits that this has made him even more eager to receive the apostolic authority of the Church, so that he can fully serve his parish community in his vocation as Priest.

‘I have to be the example’: Oblate Sister of Providence is inspiration to students

June 13, 2024
By Emily Littleton
Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Schools, Vocations

Sister Mary-Pauline’s journey into religious life came about as she was helping others discern vocations in Africa. Serving as the coordinator of a vocations club in her home parish in Ghana, she researched religious communities for a girl who wanted to become a religious sister.

Franciscan Father Richard Rome to serve at St. Casimir in Canton after ordination

June 12, 2024
By Catholic Review Staff
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Vocations

Conventual Franciscan Father Richard Rome was ordained June 8 at St. Casimir in Canton, joining the Our Lady of the Angels Province as its newest priest of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual.

Back to basics: New stage of formation helps shape spiritually grounded seminarians

June 11, 2024
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Vocations

Promoted by Pope Francis, the additional year of formation focuses less on academics and more on cultivating virtue and a well-tuned prayer life – along with a sense of service and fraternity.

Coming home: First-year seminarians returning to historic Paca Street location

June 11, 2024
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Vocations

A $10 million project to open the Blessed Father Michael J. McGivney Propaedeutic House of Formation is nearing completion along Paca Street in Baltimore, with the first seminarians expected to arrive in August.

GIVEN forum equips young women to pursue their unique callings

June 8, 2024
By Lauretta Brown
OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vocations, World News

Over 300 Catholic women from all walks of life will gather in Washington from June 8 to 12 to participate in the GIVEN Art of Accompaniment Mentoring Program and the Catholic Women’s Leadership Forum. It will be the fifth GIVEN forum since the group’s founding; the previous forums were held in 2019, 2020 (online), 2021 and 2022.

Diocesan hermit-theologian warned bishop ‘transgender hermit’ proposal would ‘misuse’ church law

June 7, 2024
By Gina Christian
OSV News Filed Under: News, Vocations, World News

A Kentucky bishop’s decision to endorse a hermit who publicly identified as transgender has raised a number of questions and concerns — particularly from another diocesan hermit and theologian, who had counseled the bishop in writing nearly two years before that approving the individual as a hermit would “misuse” canon law governing that vocation, and set a precedent that could endanger the future of eremitical life itself.

Pope thanks priests for faithful, generous dedication to their flock

June 7, 2024
By Carol Glatz
Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, Vocations, World News

While Pope Francis often raises warnings against “clericalism” and “spiritual worldliness” in the priesthood, he expressed his deep gratitude and affection for priests and deacons around the world for what he called their generous and faith-filled dedication to their communities.

Seminarians discern a closer walk with Jesus traveling the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage

June 3, 2024
By Maria Wiering
OSV News Filed Under: Eucharist, Feature, News, Vocations, World News

Having seminarians join the five or six other young adult “perpetual pilgrims” and their priest and religious brother chaplains on each route provides the young men “a unique formational opportunity” that allows them “to also be a witness to other young men who may be discerning a vocation to the priesthood,” said Joel Stepanek, vice president of programming and administration for National Eucharistic Congress Inc.

Pope encourages young priests to rely on each other in times of crisis

May 30, 2024
By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, Vocations, World News

The first years of priesthood are challenging, and the best way to survive and thrive is through closeness to God, to one’s bishop, one’s fellow priests and to one’s parishioners, Pope Francis told priests who have been ordained less than 10 years.

Archbishop Lori ordains six transitional and two permanent deacons in joyful celebration

May 19, 2024
By Kurt Jensen
Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: deacons, Feature, Local News, News, Vocations

Archbishop William E. Lori celebrated the liturgy at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland during Mass packed with family and friends and occasionally rocked with applause and cheers.

Pope meets senior priests, encourages dialogue with young clergy

May 16, 2024
By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, Vocations, World News

Pope Francis, who was ordained to the priesthood 54 years ago, encouraged senior priests in the Diocese of Rome to be “witnesses of memory,” sharing their faith and experiences with younger clergy and not being afraid to argue with them from time to time.