VOCATIONS
    Priest

    History of Vocations in the Diocese of Raleigh

    The first native born priest from the Diocese of Raleigh was Servant of God Thomas Frederick Price. He was ordained on June 20, 1886. Since then the Diocese has ordained hundreds of priests.

    The Seminarian Partnership Program (SPP) provides an opportunity for individuals, families or groups to support seminarians throughout their path to Priesthood. Your support of the SPP will assist young men answering God’s call to serve.
     
    From our earliest days of life to our final moments on earth, receiving the comforting grace of the Sacraments from a priest has been our experience and that of our loved ones.
     
    It is only the priest, who acts in persona Christi, who can confect the Most Holy Eucharist and thus bring us the source and summit of Christian life (CCC 1324). The future priests of our Diocese will welcome new children of God through the waters of Baptism, preside at weddings, teach us the truths of the Catholic faith, console us in our trials and give us hope in eternal life. How ineffable is the gift of the Priesthood!

    What are Vocations?

    In the Catholic Church, there are four main states of life which a person can follow in responding to the invitation that God gives:

    • that of a single person
    • a married person
    • a member of a religious congregation (sister, brother, priest)
    • that of an ordained minister, that is, a priest or deacon

    For more information on discerning to the Priesthood, please visit ncpriest.org. 

    Please listen below to members of our Diocese that have answered the call to share God's love for the benefit of others.

     

    Diocesan Prayer for Vocations

    FATHER,

    IN YOUR PLAN FOR OUR SALVATION YOU PROVIDE SHEPHERDS FOR YOUR PEOPLE. FILL YOUR CHURCH WITH THE SPIRIT OF COURAGE AND LOVE.

    GIVE THE CHURCH MORE PRIESTS, WORTHY MINISTERS FOR YOUR ALTARS AND ARDENT BUT GENTLE SERVANTS OF THE GOSPEL.

    GRANT ALSO TO US AN INCREASE IN VOCATIONS TO THE RELIGIOUS LIFE. MAY MORE OF YOUR PEOPLE RESPOND TO YOUR CALL IN A SPIRIT OF JOYFUL GENEROSITY.

    MAY THEY SERVE YOUR PEOPLE IN LOVE BY FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF CHRIST YOUR SON AND PROVIDE BY THEIR WAY OF LIFE A CONVINCING SIGN OF YOUR KINGDOM.

    WE ASK THIS THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD.

    MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH, PRAY FOR US.

    Catholic Diocese of Releigh

    Vocations & Seminarian Formation

    Director of Seminarian Formation
    Very Reverend Jeffrey Bowker V.F.
    984-900-3403 // Fr.Jeffrey.Bowker@raldioc.org

    Promoter of Vocations
    Reverend James J. Magee III
    984-900-3403 // Fr.James.Magee@raldioc.org

    7200 Stonehenge Dr Raleigh, NC 27613
    919 821 9723

    What do you say to a young man who is considering a vocation?

    Father Steven Di Massimo

    “Do not be afraid. God knows your vocation will bring you joy. Do not just put discernment on the back burner, but really try and dive into it courageously.”

    ~Father Steven DiMassimo

    Parochial Vicar - St. Thomas More Parish, Chapel Hill, NC

    Nicolas Rapkoch“It can be a very unsettling thing to first feel you are being called. Do not be afraid. It takes courage to do so, but you will never regret doing it”

    ~Father Nicolas Rapkoch

    4th Theology – Theological College, Washington D.C.
    Home Parish - Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, Raleigh, NC

    Cong LE

    “Why not now?” God is waiting for you always; come to Him and He will be with you. Just say: “Yes, Lord. Yes, Lord. I come to do your will.” Spend time in deep prayer and listen to God; He speaks to your heart. Ask Him, as St. Francis of Assisi wrote, “Lord, what would you have me do?” Pray the Rosary, and the Mother of God will bring you closer to Christ Jesus.”

    ~Deacon Cong Le

    Pastoral year – Saint Francis of Assisi, Raleigh N.C.
    3rd Theology – Notre Dame Seminary, Louisiana
    Home Parish - St Mary, Greensboro, NC

    Erik Reyes“To talk to the priest in his home church and ask if he can follow him for a few weeks, so that he can see the reality of what being a priest is. Also … to never be afraid to explore his vocation. Because answering God’s call is the best thing you can do with your life.”

    ~ Father Erik Reyes

    Parochial Vicar - Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, Raleigh NC