Vocations

The Latest

Springfield Bishop William Byrne and his sibling Sister Dede Byrne speak to EWTN News’ Catherine Hadro at the 2024 National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington D.C., Feb. 8, 2024.

Brother and sister who are bishop and nun say faithful parents helped foster vocations

Feb 9, 2024

By Joe Bukuras

For Bishop William Byrne and his sibling Sister Dede Byrne, it was their parents’ daily devotion to the Eucharist that... Read more

Members of the Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia enjoying a performance of The Hillbilly Thomists at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Aug. 1, 2022.

Catholic by the numbers: New religious brothers and sisters have a lot in common

Jan 25, 2024

By Joe Bukuras

A new survey report polled 48 religious brothers and priests and 53 religious sisters in the U.S. who professed perpetual... Read more

Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, Cardinal Sean O’Malley, and Bishop Earl Fernandes.

A cardinal, an archbishop, and a bishop reveal their vocation stories

Dec 17, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

During this year’s bishops’ conference in Baltimore, three prelates serving in different parts of the country shared their stories of... Read more

Eucharistic adoration following the pope's Corpus Christi Mass June 14, 2020.

Pope Francis: The Eucharist can fill ‘the wounds and voids produced by sin’

Aug 25, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The pope said in the eyes of the world it might appear “absurd” to confront societal problems by praying on... Read more

Father Mendo Saraiva de Refóios Paes de Ataíde (left), Father Peter Julia (center), and Brother Federico Viquez.

‘I want to give my life for this’: 2 priests, friar at WYD share their vocation stories

Aug 3, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus, Daniel Payne

All three priests are in Lisbon, Portugal, this week for World Youth Day 2023 and spoke to CNA about their... Read more

At World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid, Nelson Cintra (at left in top row) was changed by Christ — and now he will go to Lisbon as a new priest for World Youth Day 2023, Aug. 1–6.

‘Give your life to Jesus’: How a World Youth Day put a young man on the path to priesthood

Jul 25, 2023

By Lori Hadacek Chaplin

At World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid, Nelson Cintra knelt and prayed: “Christ, I give you my whole life.” Read more

Pope Francis smiles with two religious sisters during his general audience on Jan. 11, 2023

Pope Francis: ‘There is no vocation without mission’

Apr 26, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

In his message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations 2023, Pope Francis said “God’s call includes a ‘sending.’” Read more

Pope Francis at his general audience in St Peter’s Square on April 26, 2023.

Pope Francis: Monks and nuns are ‘the beating heart’ of evangelization

Apr 26, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The pope pointed to the example of St. Thérèse of Lisieux and other cloistered religious who sustain the life of... Read more

More than 100,000 people attended the papal Mass in Juba, according to local authorities.

10 things to know from the latest survey on the Catholic Church today

Mar 8, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Here are the most important takeaways from a study on the state of the Catholic Church today. Read more

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Decline in vocations to the priesthood is worse where priests serve larger flocks, report says

Mar 3, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

The study found that there are fewer new vocations in large dioceses where priests do not have a chance to... Read more

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Spanish bishops lament there are families who oppose religious vocations of their children

Dec 8, 2022

By CNA Staff

The bishops published an annual message in anticipation of Holy Family Day under the theme “The family, cradle of the... Read more

Les Petites Sœurs Disciples de l’Agneau, or The Little Sisters Disciples of the Lamb, live of prayer in the Indre region of southern France.

Only religious community in the world for sisters with Down syndrome seeks American sisters 

Nov 12, 2022

By Edie Heipel

A community of religious sisters with Down syndrome faithfully live out their vocation of contemplative prayer in southern France. Read more

Sister Francisca Teresa (left). The nun with her Carmelite sisters (right).

99-year-old Carmelite nun credits her family and Mary for her long, happy vocation

Jun 17, 2022

By CNA Staff

Agustina Medina Muñoz has been a Discalced Carmelite cloistered nun in Chile for almost 80 years. Read more

Pope Francis lays hands on a Bangladeshi deacon as he ordains him to the priesthood during a Dec. 1, 2017, Mass in Dhaka.

World Day of Prayer for Vocations 2022: Pope Francis says ‘Church must become increasingly synodal’

May 5, 2022

By CNA Staff

The pope made the comment in his annual World Day of Prayer for Vocations message. Read more

Saint Anthony Cathedral Basilica in Beaumont, Texas.

Six priests of Beaumont diocese died this year

Dec 21, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

Six priests from the Diocese of Beaumont died this year, including three who were in active ministry at the time... Read more

Father Eric Seitz says Mass, with his father, Deacon Ben Seitz, assisting as deacon. Courtesy photo.

Fargo dad follows his son, a priest, to Holy Orders as a deacon

Jun 15, 2021

By Jonah McKeown

Eric Seitz was ordained to the priesthood August 8, 2020 for the Diocese of Fargo. Two months later, his father... Read more

Father Matthew Breslin blesses his sister, Sr. Mary Strength of Martyrs, shortly after his May 29, 2021 ordination.

New priest blesses his sister, a nun: 'It's been a real privilege and a joy'

Jun 7, 2021

By Jonah McKeown

It is customary for a newly-ordained priest to impart a first blessing. For Father Matthew Breslin, who was ordained May... Read more

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio leads the Archdiocese for the Military Services.

Archbishop Broglio: Military ‘largest single source’ of vocations to priesthood

May 31, 2021

By Katie Yoder

The archbishop of the Archdiocese for the Military Services says that the military is the “largest single source of vocations... Read more

Priests celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Denver, Jan. 17, 2105.

Virtual discernment program helps Boston men explore priesthood

Apr 16, 2021

By Joe Bukuras

This past week, the Archdiocese of Boston released its new vocation discernment initiative, Scivias, designed to bring vocational guidance to... Read more

Pope Francis gives the Angelus address from the Apostolic Palace. Credit: Vatican Media/CNA.

Pope Francis: The greatest joy for every believer is to respond to God’s call

Jan 17, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis said Sunday that great joy is found when one offers his life in service to God’s call.  Read more