For Priests

Suggested readings and commentary, ideas for stories, prayers of the faithful, and tips for talking to young men.

Preach on Vocations April 26, 2026

Acts 2:14, 36-41
Peter preaches to the crowd on Pentecost, exhorting them to be baptized and receive the Holy Spirit.

The Vocation Angle: When Peter addressed the crowd, “they were cut to the heart.” Sometimes the Holy Spirit speaks in a moment of clarity deep in our spirit. Many men who have been called to the priesthood have had this experience— during Mass, on a retreat, or at a youth event. The question is, how do you respond? Will you be like those in the crowd that day, who responded wholeheartedly to the call?

1 Peter 2:20-25
“For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your soul.”

The Vocation Angle: Imperfection does not disqualify you from a vocation! In fact, those who have strayed furthest are the greatest testaments to God’s mercy. Offer your unworthiness to God, then follow wherever he leads.

Gospel: John 10:1-10
Jesus is the Good Shepherd who calls us to himself.

The Vocation Angle: To hear the Shepherd’s voice requires quiet and prayer. The late Pope Benedict XVI said, “Young people, if they can be taught how to pray, can be trusted to know what to do with God’s call.” Preach about prayer, methods of prayer, and the importance of listening for God’s voice, especially when making big decisions in life.

WHO AM I LOOKING FOR?

Who in your parish is a potential future priest? Who should you be encouraging or mentoring? It’s not always obvious. In Five Conversations about the Priesthood, Fr. Michael Pratt lays out who you are not looking for.

Don’t use these standards:

  • I’ll only reach out to those who:
  • Share my liturgical preferences
  • Seem to have no other options in life
  • Are already polished and put together
  • Have told me they want to be a priest
  • Don’t currently struggle with sin
  • Can’t seem to get a girlfriend
  • Are ready today to pastor our largest parish

Instead, use these standards:

Keep it simple and look for young men who:

  • Regularly attend Sunday Mass (especially if they sometimes attend daily Mass)
  • Come to confession
  • Pray in the church
  • Volunteer in the parish

Fr. Pratt adds: “This standard may seem laughably low. These ‘signs’ may simply mean they are practicing Catholics. But at a time when most Catholics their age have left the Church, these young men are pursuing the Eucharist, progressing in the spiritual life, and are willing to help others with their faith.”

 

Prayers of the Faithful for Vocations

For parish priests, that they may minister with the heart of the Good Shepherd and inspire more young men to enter seminary.

That campus and youth ministries may foster a true encounter with Christ and accompany students in discerning God’s call.

That parents may be open to priestly and religious vocations within their families and encourage their children to prayerfully discern their calling.

For the renewal of marriages and for those seeking a spouse, that God may fulfill their deepest desires.

That the Holy Spirit may foster a culture of vocations in our diocese and inspire young people in our parish to respond to the Lord’s call.

In thanksgiving for all clergy and religious who have served our community, and for the repose of the souls of those who have died.

Talking with Men about the Priesthood

Want to do something concrete to help young men think about priesthood? Fr. Michael Pratt lays out the field-tested method he uses to engage teens & young adults in Five Conversations about the Priesthood.

You’ll need two copies of Cardinal Dolan’s classic Priests for the Third Millennium—one for you and one for a young man in your parish.

Ask him to have five 15-minute conversations about specific chapters, which are outlined in Five Conversations about the Priesthood. The book is a “launching point” for the priest to share about his day-to-day ministry, of which young men know very little.

The result is meaningful conversation that gets men thinking about the importance and possibility of priesthood.