We exist to connect local vocations directors with qualified candidates for the priesthood.
We envision a world where every young man knows the priesthood is a joyful possibility for their life and carefully discerns whether or not God might be calling him to the priesthood.
We connect local vocation directors with 18-to-35-year-old, unmarried Catholic men in their diocese who are interested in learning more about becoming priests.
We connect local vocation directors with 18-to-35-year-old, unmarried Catholic men in their diocese who are interested in learning more about becoming priests.
We connect local vocation directors with 18-to-35-year-old, unmarried Catholic men in their diocese who are interested in learning more about becoming priests.
We inspire and inform 18-to-35-year-old, unmarried men by encouraging them to explore the possibility of the priesthood.
priesthood
We help devout Catholics build a culture of vocations in their homes, parishes, and dioceses, and, most importantly, we provide hope for the future of the Church.
We are obedient to the teachings of the magisterium of the Church and all of our work is offered to dioceses for free.
free
We connect local vocation directors with 18-to-35-year-old, unmarried Catholic men in their diocese who are interested in learning more about becoming priests.
We inspire and inform 18-to-35-year-old, unmarried men by encouraging them to explore the possibility of the priesthood.
We help devout Catholics build a culture of vocations in their homes, parishes, and dioceses, and, most importantly, we provide hope for the future of the Church.
We are obedient to the teachings of the magisterium of the Church and all of our work is offered to dioceses for free.
We connect local vocation directors with 18-to-35-year-old, unmarried Catholic men in their diocese who are interested in learning more about becoming priests.
We inspire and inform 18-to-35-year-old, unmarried men by encouraging them to explore the possibility of the priesthood.
We help devout Catholics build a culture of vocations in their homes, parishes, and dioceses, and, most importantly, we provide hope for the future of the Church.
We are obedient to the teachings of the magisterium of the Church and all of our work is offered to dioceses for free.
Vocations Directors are excellent at helping young men who are considering the priesthood discern their next right step. We work to increase the number of discerning young men and get them in touch with their local vocation director. Here’s how we get this done:
In the words of one vocations director, “the men we want to apply to seminary aren’t coming to us. We have to go out and find them.” We use advertisements and media that meet young men where they are. Right now, this primarily means social media, email, and websites. But this could mean so much more in the future.
How do young men see the priesthood? The unique place the priesthood holds in the minds of young men - the story, the feeling, the ideas they associate with the vocation… it all matters. We use dynamic storytelling and powerful messaging to ensure every young man knows the priesthood is a joyful, heroic, courageous life.
Once we are connected, we invite young men to wonder about the incredible life God has planned for them and to consider whether the priesthood might be part of that plan. We send them free books, downloadable guides, videos, virtual retreats, and other resources that encourage them to take the next step: Get in touch with their local vocation director.
All of our work is offered for the greater glory of God and the future of His Church. It’s a free service to the Church and to the young men we are inviting to consider the priesthood. No fees, no payments, nothing. All of our work is 100% funded by passionate Catholics who want to see the Church thrive.
The National Society for Priestly Vocations is a movement of the laity. Faithful to the teachings of the magisterium, we are not affiliated with any one diocese, movement, or organization. We exist because passionately Catholic men and women believe that fostering vocations is vital to the life of the Church.JOIN US
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The following leaders have graciously agreed to serve the ministry by offering their guidance, reviewing our activities, and ensuring that our work remains both faithful to the Church and effective in fulfilling our mission.
A native of Hospers, Iowa, Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr was ordained a priest in 1974 and earned a doctorate in canon law from the Catholic University of America. He served as general secretary of the U.S. bishops' conference and as national executive director of World Youth Day 1993, where he worked closely with Pope St. John Paul II.
Fostering vocations to the priesthood has been a personal passion throughout his ministry. As Bishop of Duluth, he served as the diocese's vocations director himself, and the number of seminarians tripled, from 8 to 24. Shortly after arriving in Cincinnati, he wrote a Prayer for Vocations that is still prayed at Sunday Masses across the archdiocese. Vocations flourished under his leadership: enrollment at Mount St. Mary's Seminary doubled between 2010 and 2017, and in 2019 he ordained nine men for the archdiocese, the largest class of new priests in 40 years. He made a point of hosting every class of seminarians at his home each year.
He led the Archdiocese of Cincinnati from 2009 until his retirement in 2025 and continues to live and serve in Cincinnati.
Fr. Jonathan Meyer was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis in 2003 and began his priesthood as the archdiocese's Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Today he is a pastor of All Saints Parish, a multi-church parish in Dearborn County, Indiana. From 2022 to 2024 he served as a National Preacher for the National Eucharistic Revival, and his weekly homilies reach Catholics across the country online. He is the author of Stations of the Eucharist and has coached high school track and cross country for 15 years.
If you believe the Church needs more good, holy priests, unite with thousands of other Catholics from across the United States in prayer.
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