Priesthood

The Latest

Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence in the film “Conclave,” which opens in theaters Oct. 25, 2024, in the U.S.

Seminary rector responds to ‘Conclave’ movie: why only men can be priests

Oct 24, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

“Conclave” bills itself as a star-studded mystery-thriller centered on the selection of a new pope for the Catholic Church, but... Read more

Father John Nepil of the Archdiocese of Denver celebrates Mass on top of Wetterhorn Peak in the San Juan Mountains in Colorado.

Catholic priest celebrates Mass atop Colorado’s highest peaks

Oct 13, 2024

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

After 13 years, Father John Nepil can say he has celebrated Mass on every 14er in the state of Colorado. Read more

Father Michael-Joseph Paris, OCD, in front of St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s tomb.

Friar and podcast host says St. Thérèse gave him confidence to become a priest

Oct 1, 2024

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Father Michael-Joseph Paris, OCD, will help guide listeners through “Story of a Soul” in an upcoming podcast on St. Thérèse... Read more

Pope Francis meets with priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Dehonians) on June 27, 2024, at the Vatican.

Pope Francis celebrates anniversary of his vocation to the priesthood

Sep 21, 2024

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

On Sept. 21, 1953, 71 years ago, a young Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s priestly vocation was born. Read more

In his remarks at the ordination of 23 new priests, Bishop Godfrey Igwebuike Onah expressed gratitude and joy for the growing number of priests serving in his Episcopal See in Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Nsukka on Aug. 10, 2024.

Number of Catholic priests for Nigerian diocese surpasses 400 with 23 new ordinations

Aug 13, 2024

By Jude Atemanke

The number of Catholic priests serving Nigeria’s Diocese of Nsukka has surpassed 400 following the ordination of 23 new priests... Read more

Will Heller is a 21-year-old weightlifting phenom from Toledo, Ohio who now has his sights on becoming a Catholic priest.

Weightlifting champion puts barbell to the side for a new journey — the priesthood 

Aug 4, 2024

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Will Heller, a 21-year-old from Toledo, Ohio, is a two-time Junior National Medalist and All American and a state record... Read more

Seminarians and their teachers at St. Augustine Major Seminary in Jos, Nigeria.

‘Survival mentality’ is impeding authentic formation in Africa’s seminaries, priest says

Jul 27, 2024

By Agnes Aineah

Seminarians in Africa are not allowed “to be themselves” and must find ways “to get by,” a Catholic priest from... Read more

Priests respond to a talk at the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis on July 18, 2024.

Scott Hahn urges priests at National Eucharistic Congress to ‘rekindle Eucharistic amazement’ 

Jul 19, 2024

By Courtney Mares

During the first session with nearly 1,000 priests on Wednesday, Scott Hahn offered a retreat meditation on the biblical account... Read more

The entrance into the Franciscan church in Aleppo, Syria, of the twins George and Johnny Jallouf, friars of the Custody of the Holy Land, who were ordained priests on July 6, 2024. The two ordinands are wearing the priestly vestments with which they were clothed during the ordination rite. They were 15 when the war in Syria broke out. Their vocation was born and grew amid the Battle of Aleppo. “I tried to attend Mass every day,” George recounted. “I was afraid, but I kept repeating to myself ‘I fear nothing because you are with me.’ This phrase guided me, reassured me, gave me peace.”

Different paths to same vocation: Twin brothers ordained priests in Aleppo, Syria

Jul 10, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

It marked the first priestly ordination in 17 years at St. Francis Church in Aleppo, a city that suffered massive... Read more

Father Gregory Miller plays Ultimate Frisbee during the annual "Cassock Classic."

New priest finds calling to young adult ministry through Ultimate Frisbee

May 26, 2024

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Father Gregory Miller fell in love with Ultimate Frisbee in high school and was a part of his school’s team,... Read more

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, the relator general of the 16th Annual General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.

Cardinal Hollerich urges caution, dialogue on women’s ordination

May 20, 2024

By AC Wimmer

The cardinal said the prohibition against ordaining women was “not an infallible doctrinal decision” and could be changed over time... Read more

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Survey: New priests are young and involved in their community 

Apr 16, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

The survey found that half of the graduating 2024 seminarians, “ordinands,” will be ordained at 31 years or younger —... Read more

Seminarians chat as they walk along the promenade in front of Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. Starting in the fall semester of 2024, first-year seminarians at Sacred Heart and seminaries across the country will undertake a "propaedeutic" year focused on personal, spiritual, and relationship growth, limiting the use of technology while spending more time in prayer and communion with others.

First-year seminarians will unplug from technology starting in fall at Detroit seminary

Apr 14, 2024

By Daniel Meloy

Starting in the fall, seminarians at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit are going to have more prayer time and... Read more

Father Ryan Stawaisz.

New film tells inspiring story of young priest who left a lasting impact

Apr 6, 2024

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

“Love God’s Will” tells the inspiring story of Father Ryan Stawaisz, a young priest from Texas who touched the hearts... Read more

Edoardo Santini.

Italy’s ‘most handsome man’ leaves modeling career to become a priest

Edoardo Santini, considered “the most handsome man in Italy,” has decided to leave his promising career as a model and... Read more

Father Peter Adamski.

How a tragic loss led a successful businessman to the priesthood

Nov 9, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

After losing his wife of 40 years, Father Peter Adamski pursued a calling to the priesthood that he had experienced... Read more

A group of men studying to become priests at St. Michael's Abbey in California.

California’s new abbey is inspiring young men to join the priesthood 

Aug 21, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

St. Michael’s Abbey outside of Los Angeles is a new home to the Norbertines, an order seeing quick growth in... Read more

Pope Francis sits in front of an image of Blessed Giuseppe "Don Pino" Puglisi during a meeting with young people in the Archdiocese of Palermo, on the Italian island region Sicily, on Sept. 15, 2018.

‘All the way in love’: Pope Francis praises example of Mafia-slain priest

Aug 20, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis published a letter to mark the 30th anniversary of the martyrdom of Blessed Giuseppe “Don Pino” Puglisi. Read more

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Some U.S. seminaries report surge in enrollments even as nationwide numbers remain flat

Aug 12, 2023

By Daniel Payne

What’s driving localized spikes in seminarian enrollment, and can it be replicated elsewhere? Read more

St. John Vianney.

Why St. John Vianney is a model for all priests

Aug 4, 2023

By CNA Staff

The patron saint of priests, St. John Vianney, died Aug. 4, 1859. A century later, Pope John XXIII reflected on... Read more