Catholic Diocese of Wilmington

Vocations

OFFICE OF PRIESTLY & RELIGIOUS VOCATIONS

For over 150 years, men of courage and compassion have been responding to God’s call to diocesan priesthood in order to bring the Gospel message to faith communities throughout Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

This year, the Vocations Office, is once again inviting high school-aged young men to explore the possibility of a priestly vocation by spending a day with peers in a vibrant parish setting.

Mark your calendars now for the 2020 Pass the Word program, to be held Wednesday, February 24, 2020, at St. Elizabeth Church in Denton, MD and St. Benedict Church in Ridgely, MD. These churches are a part of the same parish and are 10 minutes away. Bishop Malooly, many of our priests and our 10 seminarians will spend the day with the invited participants sharing experiences of the missionary zeal that drives the priestly heart in the 21st century.

Most priests today often state that their willingness to discern a call first came from an adult who had the courage to invite them to explore it.

High School Age Gentlemen, if you would like to attend the 2020 Pass the Word program on February 24th, contact the Vocations Office, your pastor, campus minister, or fill out the registration form and From B below and email them to [email protected]

Pass the Word 2020 Registration Form

Pass the Word Form B

Pass the Word 2019 at St. Benedict Church in Ridgely, MD., where high school aged young men can explore the possibility of a priestly vocation. Dialog photo/Jason Minto
Brennan Ferris, right, a seminarian from Saint Mary’s tells his story of entering the priest hood during Pass the Word 2019 at St. Benedict Church in Ridgely, MD., where high school aged young men can explore the possibility of a priestly vocation. Dialog photo/Jason Minto
High school aged young men exploring the possibility of a priestly vocation enter St. Benedict Church in Ridgely, Md., for prayer during Pass the Word 2019. Dialog photo/Jason Minto
High school aged young men exploring the possibility of a priestly vocation pray inside St. Benedict Church in Ridgely, Md., during Pass the Word 2019. Dialog photo/Jason Minto

Take courage; Get up, Jesus is calling you! – Mark 10:49

A Prayer for Vocations:

Loving and Generous God,
it is You who call us by name
and ask us to follow You.
Help us to grow in the Love
and Service of our Church
as we experience it today.

Give us the energy and courage
of Your Spirit
to shape its future

Grant us faith-filled leaders
who will embrace Christ’s Mission
of love and justice.

Bless the Church of Wilmington
by raising up dedicated and generous leaders
from our families and friends
who will serve Your people as,
Priests, Brothers, Sisters, Deacons and Lay Ministers.

Inspire us to know You better
and open our hearts
to hear Your call.

We ask this through our Lord.

Pray for our Men  Studying for the Diocesan Priesthood

Click here for Seven Ways to Make Your Parish Vocations Friendly

+++ A Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood +++

Heavenly Father, in every age, You call men
to serve at Your altar as Your priests
and servants of Your people to witness to the Gospel

 and to be like Your Son, the Great High Priest.
Through the intercession of St. Francis de Sales,
Patron Saint of the Diocese of Wilmington,
please grant our Diocese many good and holy priests;
Help me to discern what You want for my life,
and always give me the courage to say Yes to You.
May I not lose heart in considering my own weaknesses,
but be willing to answer Your call,
so You might fulfill your designs in me
and I might accomplish Your Holy Will. Amen.
***
Holy Mary, Mother of Priests, pray for us!
St. Francis de Sales, pray for us!
St. John Vianney, pray for us!
***

_______ I will give you shepherds after my own heart. – Jeremiah 3:15 _______

vocationsAre you being called to the priesthood or religious life?

Find out more about the priesthood: diocesanpriest.com

Find out more about the religious life: religiouslife.com

Let us help you to discover God’s plan for your life.

E-mail: [email protected] or Call us: (302) 573-3113 today!          

VOCATIONS OFFICE STAFF

Very Rev. Norman P. Carroll, Director of Seminarians and the Office of Priestly and Religious Vocations [email protected] 

Rev. Richard Jasper, Associate Director of Vocations

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (302) 573-3113

Mailing address: Office of Priestly & Religious Vocations, P.O. Box 2030, Wilmington, DE 19899-2030

Office Address: 1626 N. Union St., Wilmington, DE