Priesthood

The Latest

Pope Leo XIV leads the faithful in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican in reciting the Angelus on Nov. 2, 2025.

Pope Leo XIV to seminarians: ‘Piety without doctrine becomes fragile sentimentality’

Nov 5, 2025

By Kristina Millare

“A piety without doctrine becomes fragile sentimentality; doctrine without prayer becomes sterile and cold,” Pope Leo XIVsaid in a Nov.... Read more

Younger U.S. priests say they are far more conservative than older priests in their voting patterns, according to a 2025 survey.

Younger priests remain more conservative than older priests in U.S., survey says

Oct 14, 2025

By Tyler Arnold

Younger U.S. priests are far more conservative than older priests, reaffirming a generational divide in political views, according to a... Read more

Pope Leo greets crowds in St. Peter’s Basilica.

U.S. priests report high confidence in Pope Leo XIV, less trust in bishops

Oct 14, 2025

By Tyler Arnold

A 2025 survey of U.S. priests found strong confidence in Pope Leo XIV and a mixed level of trust in... Read more

null

Study finds gaps in psychological screening of priesthood candidates

Sep 25, 2025

By Madalaine Elhabbal

The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University conducted the study in collaboration with the McGrath Institute... Read more

Father Vealumun Paul Ansbert Mom, the superior general of the Via Christi Society in Nigeria, has decried the state of insecurity in his diocese, saying he can no longer travel to his village because “everyone has been driven away by killer herders.”

‘I don’t have a village anymore’: Priest decries insecurity, persecution in Nigeria

Sep 11, 2025

By Abah Anthony John

The superior general of the Via Christi Society in Nigeria has decried the state of insecurity in his native Makurdi... Read more

St. John Vianney.

Why St. John Vianney is a model for all priests

Aug 4, 2025

By CNA Staff

The patron saint of priests, St. John Vianney, died Aug. 4, 1859. A century later, Pope John XXIII reflected on... Read more

Priests gather at the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis.

Over 400 men in U.S. to be ordained in 2025; most felt called to priesthood by age 16

Apr 17, 2025

By Tessa Gervasini

The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) released its 2025 national survey of seminarians who are scheduled for... Read more

Seminarians live active lives, balancing prayer, studies, fraternity, and exercise. The Nazareth House provides seminarians with a healthy space to recreate, pray, cook, and share meals together.

University of Mary and Diocese of Phoenix launch first-ever Catholic seminary in Arizona

Apr 12, 2025

By Kate Quiñones

Nazareth Seminary is working with University of Mary’s “Mary College,” a satellite academic institution partnered with Arizona State University. Read more

Jimmy Mitchell (front row, far left) leads a group of Jesuit students in a walking rosary after school.

Jesuit High School ignites faith, inspires students to pursue priesthood

Dec 27, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

From lukewarm faith to priesthood, Jesuit High School is transforming the lives of young men. Read more

Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence in the film “Conclave,” which opens in theaters Oct. 25, 2024, in the U.S.

Seminary rector responds to ‘Conclave’ movie: why only men can be priests

Oct 24, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

“Conclave” bills itself as a star-studded mystery-thriller centered on the selection of a new pope for the Catholic Church, but... Read more

Father John Nepil of the Archdiocese of Denver celebrates Mass on top of Wetterhorn Peak in the San Juan Mountains in Colorado.

Catholic priest celebrates Mass atop Colorado’s highest peaks

Oct 13, 2024

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

After 13 years, Father John Nepil can say he has celebrated Mass on every 14er in the state of Colorado. Read more

Father Michael-Joseph Paris, OCD, in front of St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s tomb.

Friar and podcast host says St. Thérèse gave him confidence to become a priest

Oct 1, 2024

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Father Michael-Joseph Paris, OCD, will help guide listeners through “Story of a Soul” in an upcoming podcast on St. Thérèse... Read more

Pope Francis meets with priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Dehonians) on June 27, 2024, at the Vatican.

Pope Francis celebrates anniversary of his vocation to the priesthood

Sep 21, 2024

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

On Sept. 21, 1953, 71 years ago, a young Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s priestly vocation was born. Read more

In his remarks at the ordination of 23 new priests, Bishop Godfrey Igwebuike Onah expressed gratitude and joy for the growing number of priests serving in his Episcopal See in Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Nsukka on Aug. 10, 2024.

Number of Catholic priests for Nigerian diocese surpasses 400 with 23 new ordinations

Aug 13, 2024

By Jude Atemanke

The number of Catholic priests serving Nigeria’s Diocese of Nsukka has surpassed 400 following the ordination of 23 new priests... Read more

Will Heller is a 21-year-old weightlifting phenom from Toledo, Ohio who now has his sights on becoming a Catholic priest.

Weightlifting champion puts barbell to the side for a new journey — the priesthood 

Aug 4, 2024

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Will Heller, a 21-year-old from Toledo, Ohio, is a two-time Junior National Medalist and All American and a state record... Read more

Seminarians and their teachers at St. Augustine Major Seminary in Jos, Nigeria.

‘Survival mentality’ is impeding authentic formation in Africa’s seminaries, priest says

Jul 27, 2024

By Agnes Aineah

Seminarians in Africa are not allowed “to be themselves” and must find ways “to get by,” a Catholic priest from... Read more

Priests respond to a talk at the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis on July 18, 2024.

Scott Hahn urges priests at National Eucharistic Congress to ‘rekindle Eucharistic amazement’ 

Jul 19, 2024

By Courtney Mares

During the first session with nearly 1,000 priests on Wednesday, Scott Hahn offered a retreat meditation on the biblical account... Read more

The entrance into the Franciscan church in Aleppo, Syria, of the twins George and Johnny Jallouf, friars of the Custody of the Holy Land, who were ordained priests on July 6, 2024. The two ordinands are wearing the priestly vestments with which they were clothed during the ordination rite. They were 15 when the war in Syria broke out. Their vocation was born and grew amid the Battle of Aleppo. “I tried to attend Mass every day,” George recounted. “I was afraid, but I kept repeating to myself ‘I fear nothing because you are with me.’ This phrase guided me, reassured me, gave me peace.”

Different paths to same vocation: Twin brothers ordained priests in Aleppo, Syria

Jul 10, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

It marked the first priestly ordination in 17 years at St. Francis Church in Aleppo, a city that suffered massive... Read more

Father Gregory Miller plays Ultimate Frisbee during the annual "Cassock Classic."

New priest finds calling to young adult ministry through Ultimate Frisbee

May 26, 2024

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Father Gregory Miller fell in love with Ultimate Frisbee in high school and was a part of his school’s team,... Read more

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, the relator general of the 16th Annual General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.

Cardinal Hollerich urges caution, dialogue on women’s ordination

May 20, 2024

By AC Wimmer

The cardinal said the prohibition against ordaining women was “not an infallible doctrinal decision” and could be changed over time... Read more