Our Mission
In order to promote a culture of vocations through Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and The Islands, we engage with and offer resources and programs to anyone discerning a call to priesthood and religious life. Our particular focus is on developing relationships with men who are considering becoming priests in the Diocese of Fall River. We help them through the application process to seminary and support them during their formation.
The call to holiness is a universal call, valid for all human beings without distraction of age, profession, race or language. Just as all are redeemed, so all are called. The vocation to holiness means putting into practice, in one’s own daily life, the example and teaching of Jesus ChristSt. John Paul II
The call to holiness is a universal call, valid for all human beings without distraction of age, profession, race or language. Just as all are redeemed, so all are called. The vocation to holiness means putting into practice, in one’s own daily life, the example and teaching of Jesus Christ
St. John Paul II
In a world so full of noise and distractions, it seems to be increasingly difficult to hear Christ’s call to priesthood and religious life. Our work focuses on providing parishes, schools, and other Catholic entities with resources to remind men, particularly young men, to listen intently and see if God is calling them for a vocation to the priesthood or other religious life. We organize an annual retreat for boys to discover what God is calling them to do in their lives. Gatherings through the year are hosted for men considering the call to priesthood. Discerning a vocation to religious life is not something that seems natural in today’s world, and finding resources or like-minded people to talk to about it can be difficult. We are here as a resource for parishes, schools, families, and individuals as they seek to create and embrace a culture of vocations. There are many obstacles to discernment, and sometimes all someone needs is a supportive presence or a loving nudge in the right direction. Once someone is on the path to religious life, that support and guidance is ever more important. Our office provides support not just to those who may be discerning a vocation, but those who are in priestly formation in a seminary.
Lucas finished 3rd Theology at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, MA. He requested additional time for discernment before ordination to the diaconate. Bishop da Cunha has accepted his request for a year leave of absence from formation. Maintaining official seminarian status, Lucas will not be living at a seminary or rectory, and he will be finding employment for the duration of his leave.
Evan, from Transfiguration of the Lord Parish in North Attleborough, was accepted as a seminarian in August 2024. He is 25 years old and graduated from Assumption College in Worcester with a degree in Biology. He will be attending Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD for the Propaedeutic Stage required by the new Program for Priestly Formation 6th Edition.
John, from St. Anthony Parish in New Bedford, was also accepted as a seminarian in August 2024. He is 25 years old and has been working as an electrician since he finished high school as a homeschool student. He will be attending Our Lady of Providence Seminary, which incorporates the benchmarks of the Propaedeutic Stage into freshman year of college.
