Vocations
“The vocation is truly a treasure that God places in the hearts of some men and women, chosen by Him and called to follow Him in this special state of life.”
– Pope Francis
Welcome to Our Office
Welcome to the page for the Office for Vocations. Here, you will find links to information about vocations to the priesthood, consecrated life and permanent diaconate, answers to frequently asked questions, and resources for use at home and at the parish. It is our hope that whatever information or insights you gain, you will bring them to prayer, for it is in prayer that the specifics of God’s call will become clear to you.
Vocations by Numbers in Diocese
Active Priests
Religious Order Priests
Permanent Deacons
Religious Order Sisters
Religious Order Brothers
Vocation Stories
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a call from God sound like?
There are many different ways God calls people. You don’t have to wait for a lightning bolt or a supernatural vision. Most often, the call from God is found deep within your own heart (planted there by God left to be discovered by you!). It might manifest itself in different ways, such as a desire to want to help others or a desire to know God more deeply. No two callings are the same, just like no two priests are the same. The important thing is, if you think you’ve been called, check it out. What have you got to lose?
Do priests or religious women get time off?
How important is prayer?
Because priests and religious have chosen a way of life which says by its very nature that God is most important, prayer has a central role in their lives. Prayer is communication with the Lord! Just as a marriage cannot survive without communication, it is impossible for a priest or religious to survive without prayer. Communication is essential for any two persons who expect their relationship to continue. Can you imagine having a best friend to whom you never spoke?
Since prayer is so important, most priests and religious spend approximately two hours a day in prayer-part of that time with others, at Mass and in common oral prayer; part alone, in reading and quiet attentiveness. Probably the main benefit of prayer is that it makes us more sensitive to God’s activity in the people, events, and circumstances of daily life.
Is prayer always easy?
Why do some priests and religious wear clerical garb or habits?
Do I have to agree with all the teachings of the Church to be a priest or a member of a religious order?
If someone has lived an immoral life, can they still be a priest or religious?
God is very loving and forgiving. Redemption can take place anytime throughout our lives. Sometimes after people have turned their lives around, with the help of God, and dedicate themselves to Christ, that they may be aware of a still deeper call from God. Generally speaking, it is less important what someone has done in the past than what one is willing to embrace in the present and future. There are limits of course to how we live our lives. Honesty is always the best policy. Speak to your Vocation Director about any concerns or reservations you may have. When we enter formation and work towards ordination we assume the roles of living a celibate lifestyle and living a moral life with our God.
Why do priests and religious have to remain celibate?
Priests and Religious Sisters and Brothers make the choice of celibacy for two principal reasons. It is so they can be totally available to serve God and the Church, and also to be a sign to the world that God’s kingdom is real. Many people assume that this must be a very difficult, lonely, way of life. If God were not in it, it certainly would be. Prayer is so important to living this way of life. Celibacy frees the individual from immediate responsibilities of a particular family and opens the individual up to the needs and concerns of the larger family of God. It seems to me no coincidence that we use family words (father, sister, and brother) to refer to those in a religious vocation. People don’t choose celibacy because they don’t want to get married (quite the contrary). They choose to live this way out of devotion to God.
What if God calls someone to the priesthood or religious life, but they don’t answer it and choose another vocation?
If someone knew that God was calling them to the priesthood or religious life, why would they say no? Would it be out of fear? I don’t have what it takes. Would it be out of selfishness? I don’t want to give up this or that. Would it be out of confusion? I’m not sure if this is for me or I could do it. God calls us all in one way or another. Certainly not everyone is being called to be a priest or nun. I think St. Therese said it best when she said, “God calls those he wants!” Why would we say no to God? What God has in mind for us is so much better than anything we could imagine for ourselves (I am constantly amazed at all that is part of my life as a priest!). Our happiness and well being may very well depend on our response to God’s call!
Family Resources
Our Team
Auxiliary Bishop Ramón Bejarano
Director for Priestly Vocations, Explorer Days
vocations, priest-vocation
Auxiliary Bishop Felipe Pulido
Director for Priestly Vocations, Discernment Days and Appointments with Discerners
vocations, priest-vocation
Auxiliary Bishop Michael Pham
Director for Priestly Vocations, Application Process
vocations, priest-vocation
Rev. Eduardo A. Samaniego, SJ
Sr. Kathleen Warren, OSF
Our Team
Auxiliary Bishop Ramón Bejarano
Director for Priestly Vocations
Explorer Days
Auxiliary Bishop Felipe Pulido
Director for Priestly Vocations Discernment Days and Appointments with Discerners
Auxiliary Bishop Michael Pham
Director for Priestly Vocations Application Process
Rev. Eduardo A. Samaniego, SJ
Director
Permanent Diaconate