A Call to Priesthood

Good Shepherd Sunday – Vocations Sunday, April 26

“Every vocation is an immeasurable gift for the Church and for those who receive it with joy.” – Pope Leo XIV, Message for the 63rd World Day of Prayer for Vocations 2026

In his message for this year’s World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Pope Leo XIV reminds us that vocation is an “interior discovery” of God’s gift, planted deep within our hearts and nurtured through prayer, listening, and trust. He encourages all of us to create a spirit of faith, prayer, and support, so that God’s call may be heard and generously embraced.

We give thanks that, in the Archdiocese of Dublin, there are currently three seminarians, along with others discerning a call to the priesthood this year. Their generous “yes” is a powerful sign of hope for our Church and our communities. Let us keep them in our prayers, and also remember all those considering a vocation to the priesthood, religious life, lay ministry, or family life. May they find the courage to pause, listen, and follow the voice of the Good Shepherd.

May this Good Shepherd Sunday be a moment of encouragement and support, where vocations are welcomed, nurtured, and allowed to flourish among us.

See here for the full message of Pope Leo XIV

Please include this message in parish notices and in the Prayer of the Faithful. Parishes are encouraged to promote vocations through events, newsletters and social media. The poster above and available here as a PDF may be shared on parish notice boards and online platforms.

If you know of someone who may be considering the priesthood, please encourage them to contact the vocations team: Fr Séamus at vocations@dublindiocese.ie or Fr Bill at bill.oshaughnessy@dublindiocese.ie.

Vocations to the Priesthood

“Whoever opens his heart to Christ will not only understand the mystery of his own existence but also that of his own vocation; he will bear the abundant fruit of grace.” – Pope John Paul II, Message for the 42nd World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Exploring a vocation is not a problem we must solve, but it’s an adventure into who God made us to be and how we can best give glory God in this life. Discerning God’s call is a process of becoming aware of what’s going on in our hearts and minds, listening to God, gaining clarity and then taking the next best step toward that call. It involves asking the important question: “What is it that God wants and desires me to do with the life which He has given me?” The answer to that question always involves not only ourselves but also takes into consideration the needs of the Church and of the World. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI once said: “Where our personal passions intersect with the needs of the Church and of the World, there we find our vocation.” One of the first and important aspects of discernment is to first simply ask God in prayer, for the grace to be called.

If you believe that you might have a vocation to the priesthood and would like to speak about your life, a call to the priesthood, discernment, and possible entrance into our seminary formation program, or would just like more information to help you discern God’s call for your life, then contact a member of the vocations team and we will be happy to assist you in any way we can.

Do you live outside of Ireland?

If you live outside of Ireland, please note that the Archdiocese only accepts applications from people who are resident in Ireland or who have been resident here at some stage in the past for more than 3 years. This is to allow time for discernment and also for the person to become accustomed to the Irish culture.

Director of Vocations – Priesthood

Rev Séamus McEntee
Vocations Director – Priesthood