Movies such as The Sound of Music, The Blues Brothers and Sister Act evidence the intrigue surrounding the life of a nun. Nuns in their 30s aren’t as common as they once were so the average person isn’t as likely to come into contact with one. In fact, according to Pew Research Centre data the Read more
In November and December eight seminarians and a priest from Holy Cross Seminary in Auckland will be cycling the length of New Zealand to promote and pray for vocations to the priesthood. The pilgrimage will begin at Cape Reinga, which is the northern most point on the mainland of New Zealand. It will take about Read more
This week has been designated as Vocations Awareness week in New Zealand. Its purpose is to promote vocations to the priesthood, women and men religious, diaconate and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renew prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations. In 2013, Pope Francis declared that Read more
The number of men studying for the priesthood at Corpus Christi College in Melbourne has more than doubled since 1999. There are now 59 men in training at Corpus Christi, the highest number since the 1970s. They come from at least nine Australian archdioceses and dioceses. In 1999, the number at Corpus Christi was 28. Read more
The number of women entering religious orders in England and Wales has reached a 25-year high. Forty-five women chose to pursue their vocations last year, the highest number since the 1980s. The number for 2014 was up from 30 the previous year. The figures, released by the National Office for Vocation in England and Wales, Read more
Pope Francis has warned religious orders against letting low numbers of new vocations influence whom they accept into religious life. The Pope was speaking to a conference of religious formation directors in Rome on Saturday. He told the 1200 directors that they must be “gravely attentive” to those they are guiding. This is so that Read more
The number of potential ordinands in the United States this year is up by 25 per cent from 2014. According to US Conference of Catholic Bishops figures, there are 595 men in the “class of 2015”, up from 477 in 2014 and 497 in 2013. The 2015 class of men to be ordained to the Read more
A young Catholic priest who enjoys rap music had a few confessions about his faith and his music: He didn’t like the Catholic Church as a youth, and he doesn’t want to simply be known today as the Rapping Priest. Ascension Press just released a vocations video featuring Fr. Joshua. “I Will Follow”, is a Read more
Pope Francis has warned bishops not to accept priests just because there is a shortage of them in a diocese. In an address to the Congregation for Clergy on October 3, Pope Francis asked bishops to think of the good of the people of God and to study the itinerary of vocations carefully. Vocations are Read more
Ireland’s national seminary has reported a new low in this year’s intake of candidates, giving rise to fears of ancient parishes closing down. Just 13 men from seven dioceses will enter studies for the priesthood at Maynooth this year, down from 20 last year. Association of Catholic Priests co-founder Fr Brendan Hoban warned in The Read more