Helpful Information

Called to Priesthood? The Church requires that all men coming forward for priesthood be unmarried and embark on a life of celibacy for the Kingdom of God. God can call men of all ages to serve the Church as a holy priest. The first step is to contact our diocesan vocations director (below) and begin an official time of discernment. If selected men then join a seminary community where the discernment continues and they are formed into priests ready to serve the Church.

Watch this video from the Archdiocese of Washington DC

Called to the Permanent Diaconate? Any good Catholic man from thirty onwards who is capable of carrying out his family duties, holding down his job and, in addition, is capable of giving the time necessary to enter into the diaconal formation programme is potentially a suitable candidate. He must have the right intention – to model himself on Christ the Servant who came not to be served but to serve. He must be accepting of the call of the Church – that he be willing to put himself in the hands of the Bishop and those the Bishop has chosen to carry out the discernment and formation process. No-one can claim the right to be ordained. His desire to be ordained is never sufficient in itself, rather he must wait on the decision of the Church.

Diocesan Contacts