Priesthood

The Latest

Father Nick Adam. Photo courtesy of Father Adam.

News anchor-turned-Catholic vocations director embarks on 'Tour de Priest'

Jul 12, 2020

This Sunday, a Catholic priest will embark on a 320-mile, 5-day bike ride to recruit young men and women for... Read more

Fr. Jerome Pascal Ombeni. Courtesy photo.

A tale of two Churches: Young African priest ordained in south Italy

Jul 8, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Last month three men were ordained to the priesthood in a small city in southern Italy. Among them was Fr.... Read more

Father Edmond Ilg gives his first blessing to his son, Fr. Philip Ilg, outside Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, NJ. Image courtesy of the Ilg family.

Fathers’ Day: When a dad became a priest, like his son

Jun 24, 2020

By Christine Rousselle

Edmond Ilg, 62, has been a father since the birth of his son in 1986. But on June 21, he became... Read more

Father Connor (left) and Father Peyton Plessala. Courtesy photo.

‘God chose to call us’: The story of two brothers ordained Catholic priests on the same day

Jun 11, 2020

By Jonah McKeown

Peyton and Connor Plessala are brothers from Mobile, Alabama. They’re 18 months— one school grade— apart.  Read more

Catholic priests may be feeling ‘nonessential’ during the pandemic- here’s how you can help

Jun 6, 2020

By Perry West

As restrictions meant to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus have forced churches to close or limit their activity... Read more

Vatican prefect thanks Spanish priests for dedication during pandemic

May 12, 2020

Cardinal Beniamino Stella, prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Clergy, sent a letter to all Catholic priests in Spain,... Read more

Father Geison Gerardo Ortiz Marín baking bread. Photo courtesy of Father Ortiz.

Priest in Costa Rica bakes bread to help families in need

May 4, 2020

When he was just 15 years old, Fr. Geison Gerardo Ortiz Marín had to quit school and find a job... Read more

Pope Francis offers a blessing from the window of the Apostolic Palance April 26, 2020.

Pope Francis asks for prayer for vocations to the priesthood on Good Shepherd Sunday

May 3, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis called on all Catholics to pray for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life on Good Shepherd Sunday,... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims before the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square on Feb. 26, 2020.

‘Worship of initiatives’ is replacing faith, Pope Francis warns priests

Feb 27, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Priests risk losing their ministry as pastors and teachers of the faith when they become “suffocated” by management problems, Pope... Read more

Pope Francis ordains 10 men to the priesthood.

'No different from the rest of us'- Priests and mental health care

Feb 15, 2020

By Perry West

After the suicide of a Missouri priest last month, psychologists talked with CNA about the issues priests can face when... Read more

KC priest Harkins remembered as a 'good man and a good priest'

Jan 28, 2020

Catholics in Missouri and across the country remembered Fr. Evan Harkins Tuesday as a good priest, and urged prayer for... Read more

Pope Francis May 15, 2019.

In a de-Christianized world, priests should be pillars of faith, Pope Francis says

Dec 9, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Priests should strive after a strong relationship with Christ, beginning in seminary, in order to be the guides in faith... Read more

Missionary: Married priests in Amazon wouldn't get to the root of the problem

Oct 15, 2019

A South American missionary to Angola who is participating in the Amazon Synod at the invitation of the pope has... Read more

Cardinal Robert Sarah celebrates Mass in St. Peter's Basilica Sept. 28, 2019.

Cardinal Sarah reflects on the meaning of the priesthood

Sep 29, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Cardinal Robert Sarah reflected on the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the meaning of the priesthood in... Read more

Pope Francis with priests.

Francis urges priests to be faithful in time of 'ecclesial purification'

Aug 4, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis published a letter Sunday to encourage all priests to remain steadfast and prayerful during this time of purification... Read more

Raphael's The School of Athens (1511)

Why do priests study philosophy?

Jul 26, 2019

Philosophy does not teach its students the Bible. It does not teach one how to minister to a congregation. It... Read more

Thousands of priests gather in St. Peter's sqaure on June 3, 2016.

DC priest: celibacy allows a priest to give himself for others

Jul 17, 2019

By Jonah McKeown

Father Carter Griffin of the Archdiocese of Washington, author of “Why Celibacy? Reclaiming the Fatherhood of the Priest,” told CNA... Read more

Fr. David Burgard participates in "Priests in the Park."

'Priests in the Park' offer public witness of confession, Catholicism in Michigan

Jul 3, 2019

Dog walkers, bike riders, joggers, and Catholics priests hearing confession - most of these things you can find in any... Read more

Global Rosary Relay aims at 1 billion Hail Marys for priests

Jun 27, 2019

By Courtney Mares

The Global Rosary Relay aims to have 1 billion Hail Marys said for the sanctification of priests June 28, the... Read more

Fr. Michel Los was ordained in a Warsaw hospital a few weeks before his death.

Polish priest ordained after cancer diagnosis dies

Jun 17, 2019

A young Polish priest who was ordained last month following a terminal cancer diagnosis has died, his community announced Monday.  Read more