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Vocations

Mother Marla Marie stands on the front porch of the sisters’ Mother of the Light convent in Dartmouth, Massachusetts. / Credit: Joe Bukuras/CNA

From the Washington Post to the Maronite Convent: Meet Mother Marla Marie

May 4, 2024

“I wanted to be a journalist to spread the truth,” Mother Marla said of her time at the Washington Post. “But I just felt like this was against my faith.”

Pope Francis meets with Nigerians living in Rome on March 25, 2024. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Gives Thanks to Young Nigerian Priests and Nuns who Answered God’s Call

Mar 25, 2024

In a meeting with Nigerians living in Rome on March 25, the pope said that he was grateful for all that Nigerian Catholics have done to bear witness to the Gospel.

A poster announcing the October 6 Diaconate and Priestly Ordination in South Sudan's Yei Diocese. Credit: Yei Diocese

Pray for Candidates to Be Ordained in South Sudan to “become selfless shepherds”: Bishop

Sep 25, 2023

Bishop Alex Lodiong Sakor Eyobo of South Sudan’s Catholic Diocese of Yei is appealing for prayers for the three candidates awaiting ordination in October, the second for the Diocese since 2012, to prioritize the needs of the people in their ministry among the people of God.

Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Henry Ganda in an undated photo with members of the Our Lady of Visitation (OLV), congregation he founded that continues to thrive in Sierra Leone. Credit: Fr. Peter Konteh

How Sierra Leone’s First Native Bishop Promoted Country’s Growth of Local Vocations

Sep 3, 2023

Tributes to Archbishop Joseph Henry Ganda, Sierra Leone’s first native Catholic Bishop who died on August 9 are still pouring in, with some remembering the late Catholic Church leader for promoting the growth of local vocations in the West African nation.

Eucharistic adoration following the pope's Corpus Christi Mass June 14, 2020. | Vatican Media/CNA.

Pope Francis: The Eucharist Can Fill "the wounds and voids produced by sin"

Aug 25, 2023

Jesus’ healing presence in the Eucharist can “fill with tenderness” the voids and wounds produced by sin in individual lives and in society, Pope Francis said Friday.

Priestly ordination in the Catholic Diocese of Bururi in Burundi. Credit: Diocese of Bururi

How Church in Burundi is Handling Rapid Growth in Priestly, Religious Vocations

Aug 12, 2023

Not everyone who qualifies to join the Seminary in Burundi is accepted by formation houses. Major Seminaries in one of the world’s poorest countries have been forced to regulate the number of those they enroll owing to capacity challenges.

A poster announcing the 150th anniversary of the Congregation of Brothers of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Kenya. Credit: Lodwar Diocese

“Let's pray for vocations”: Catholic Bishop in Kenya at Religious Order’s Jubilee

Jul 7, 2023

At Holy Mass to mark the 150th anniversary of the Congregation of Brothers of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Bishop John Mbinda of Kenya’s Catholic Diocese of Lodwar has called for prayers for vocations to Religious Life. 

What the Catholic Church in Malawi is Doing to Grow Local Vocations among Youth

May 3, 2023

“To continue with evangelization, we must grow our own local vocations,” Fr. Petros Mwale, the Chaplain of the youth in the Southern African country of Malawi, has said in response to the crisis posed by decreasing numbers of non-native Catholic Clergy.   

Pope Francis smiles with two religious sisters during his general audience on Jan. 11, 2023 | Vatican Media

"There is no vocation without mission": Pope Francis

Apr 26, 2023

In his message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations 2023, Pope Francis said God’s call to a particular vocation also includes the mission to offer one’s life for others.

Pope Francis at his general audience in St Peter’s Square on April 26, 2023. | Daniel Ibanez/CNA

Pope Francis: Monks and Nuns are "the beating heart" of Evangelization

Apr 26, 2023

It is no accident that the patron saint of foreign missionaries is a cloistered nun, Pope Francis said Wednesday.

Pope Francis greeting congregation at Dr. John Garang Mausoleum on 5 February 2023 just before presiding over Holy Mass. Credit: ACI Africa

Church Growing Quickly in Africa among 10 Things to Know from Latest Catholic Survey

Mar 8, 2023

On March 3 the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano reported the latest statistics about the global Catholic Church.

Report: Decline in Vocations to the Priesthood is Worse Where Priests Serve Larger Flocks

Mar 3, 2023

The decline in the number of priests, seminarians, and new vocations to the priesthood in the United States appears to be more pronounced in parishes where priests serve more parishioners, according to a report commissioned by the organization Vocation Ministry.

Bishop Rudolf Nyandoro. Credit: Courtesy Photo

Bishop in Zimbabwe Calls for Prayers for Vocations amid “a decline” in Seminary Enrolment

Jul 12, 2022

A Catholic Bishops in Zimbabwe has called upon the people of God under his pastoral care to pray for vocations in the Southern African nation that he says is “experiencing a decline” in those enrolling in houses of formation to become Priests. 

Pope Francis lays hands on a Bangladeshi deacon as he ordains him to the priesthood during a Dec. 1, 2017, Mass in Dhaka. Vatican Media.

Prayer for Vocations 2022: Pope Francis Says "Church must become increasingly synodal"

May 6, 2022

The pope made the comment in his annual World Day of Prayer for Vocations message.

Bishop John Ryan speaking at the launch of the national preparations for Vocations Sunday that was spearheaded by the Pontifical Missionary Society (PMS) in Malawi. Credit: ECM

Consider “call to Priesthood, the vineyard is huge”: Catholic Bishops in Malawi to Youth

Mar 26, 2022

Catholic Bishops in Malawi are inviting the youth in the Southern African nation to consider devoting their life to God’s service as Priests.

Some of the religious Sisters outside St. Joseph Cathedral Kakamega. Credit: Sr. Irene Muhanga

Consecrated Persons in Kenyan Diocese Urged to Have Awareness Campaigns to Boost Vocations

Feb 8, 2022

Women and men Religious serving in Kenya’s Kakamega Diocese have been challenged to organize regular meetings to celebrate Consecrated Life at the grassroots in Parishes or local communities with the view of promoting vocations to Religious Life.

Secretary-General for the Formation of Comboni Missionaries, Fr.Elias Essognimam Sindjalim (Right) with some of his confreres/ Credit: Agenzia Fides

Liveliness, Space for Youth Inspiration for Vocations in Africa: Comboni Missionary

Apr 26, 2021

Lively liturgical celebrations that give space for young people to participate in the life of the church in Africa explains the growing number of vocations on the continent, a member of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus (MCCJ) has said.

Pope Francis gives the Angelus address from the Apostolic Palace. Credit: Vatican Media/CNA.

The Greatest Joy for Every Believer is to Respond to God’s Call: Pope Francis

Jan 17, 2021

Pope Francis said Sunday that great joy is found when one offers his life in service to God’s call.

Bishops in Tanzania with some seminarians of the  Nazareth Major Seminary.

Inside Tanzania’s Growing Vocations to the Priesthood

Jan 8, 2021

The Number of young men choosing Priesthood in Tanzania is reportedly on the rise, Church leaders in the East African countries have observed while opening a Seminary that will be a home to hundreds of seminarians drawn from across the country.

Bishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba, with Sisters Nancy Omete, Gladys Otwori, Norah Nyausi, and Jacqlyne Ngoge who professed their final vows Saturday, December 5 in Kenya's Nakuru Diocese. / ACI Africa.

In Africa, “families can be obstacle to vocations”, Kenyan Bishop Cautions at Profession

Dec 6, 2020

In Africa, family ties can hinder those who have devoted their entire lives to the service of God’s people as Religious and Clergy from this commitment, a Kenyan Bishop has cautioned.