National Vocation Awareness Week

National Vocation Awareness Week is celebrated November 3-9, 2024 (first full week of November). This annual week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States is dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations.

Could Your Son Go To Seminary?

Many parents, when their son expresses an interest in the priesthood, will dispense well-meaning advice: “Get some life experience first—and at least a college degree—then think about seminary later.” Some moms and dads even hope that with a nice girlfriend and a good job, the idea of priesthood will fade away. The problem is, they may be right! That’s why it’s crucial that when God moves the heart of a young man to explore the priesthood, parents should be supportive. True, in some cases an 18-year-old may not be mature enough to enter seminary right out of high school. But many are ready. And today’s college seminaries are places of joy, camaraderie, and deep spiritual growth. Even if your son goes to college seminary and eventually discerns he is not called to priesthood, don’t think he’ll have to “make up for lost time.” Thousands of former seminarians look back on their seminary days with great affection and gratitude!