Heavenly Father, We ask you to bless our diocese with selfless hearts that are willing to serve You, by serving Your Church. Lord Jesus raise up from our homes those called by the Father: courageous and humble men to the Priesthood, faithful people to Consecrated Life and holy men and women to the sacrament of Marriage. Holy Spirit, help us to live our universal vocation to holiness, by listening to the Father’s voice and responding with a sacrificial love.
Vocations in the Diocese of Harrisburg
Clergy and Consecrated Life
Discerning God’s Will
You were created by our loving Father for a reason, a purpose. God the Father knew who He was creating and why. You have been charged by Him to undertake a mission, entrusted only to you. He is always calling us to our mission, our vocation.
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PARISHES
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DIOCESAN PRIESTS
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PERMANENT DEACONS
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MEN RELIGIOUS
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WOMEN RELIGIOUS
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SEMINARIANS
A Message from the Vocations Director
Praised be Jesus Christ!
Rooted in the grace of Christ Jesus prompts us to not only live a life of love, but indeed impels us to Christian service. It may be that God is beckoning you to a vocation of service in our Church. To stand before the altar in the person of Christ is no easy thought, and to respond to that vocation cannot be accomplished alone.
Men of God: is the Lord Jesus calling you to service at the altar? Please do not hesitate to reach out to your parish priest and to me to explore this important question: “Is God calling you to be a priest?”
Some great books are, “To Save a Thousand Souls” by Fr. Brett Brannen and “Discerning Your Vocation” by the Community of the Beatitudes. Online resources can be found at www.DiocesanPriest.com and www.VocationNetwork.org. Remember: don’t try going this route alone!
I look forward to speaking with you!
Fr. Jonathan P. Sawicki
Vocations in Service of the Church
- Priesthood
- Diaconate
- Consecrated Women & Men
- Priestly Discernment
Priests
The Office for Priests is concerned with the life and work of the priests in our diocese.
Deacons
The Office for Deacons is concerned with the life and work of permanent deacons in our diocese.
Consecrated Life
A community can include sisters or brothers, or priests, who share a common vision and mission.
Seminarians
A man called to priesthood must be open to be molded or formed by the Church into a man of virtue, prayer, integrity, and holiness.
Quo Vadis Days is a time of recreation, fellowship, prayer, and discussions to help you explore our Lord’s call in your life. There will be priests, seminarians, and other young men like yourself gathered together for these days. Activities will include prayer (Holy Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Liturgy of the Hours, Rosary, etc.), games, bonfires, recreation and sports (soccer, capture the flag, volleyball, Ultimate Frisbee, flag football), talks, great food, and discussions.
For more information, please visit: https://www.hbgdiocese.org/event/quo-vadis-days/
Loving and Generous Father,
it is You who call us by name
and ask us to follow You.
Help us to grow in the love
and service of our Church and
give us the grace and courage
of Your Holy Spirit to shape its future.
Grant us faith-filled leaders
who will embrace Christ’s Mission
of love and justice.
Bless the Church of Harrisburg
by raising up dedicated and generous servants
from our parishes, schools, families, and friends
who will serve Your people as priests, deacons,
and consecrated women and men.
Inspire us to know You better
and open our hearts to hear Your call.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Your Son, who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
O Mary, Queen of the Clergy. Pray for us.
Pray for our priests and religious.
Obtain for us many more. Amen!
- Seminarian Jerome Kleponis Ordained to Diaconate (July 8, 2021)
- Diocese’s Newest Priests Ordained, Called to Model the Good Shepherd (June 10, 2021)
- Three New Deacons Give ‘Whole-Hearted Yes’ to God (May 19, 2021)
- God’s Grace Leads Former Priest of the Episcopal Church to Ordination for the Diocese (Oct. 24, 2020)
- Diocese Receives Gift of 35 Men Ordained to Order of Diaconate (Sept. 12, 2020)
- Christ-Like Service Must Continue Through Priesthood, Bishop Tells New Deacons (Aug. 22, 2020)
Forming Our Priests
The following are the seminaries where men studying for the Diocese of Harrisburg are currently being formed.
Mount Saint Mary Seminary
16300 Old Emmitsburg Road
Emmitsburg, MD 21727-7797
Pontifical North American College
00120 Vatican City State
Europe
PH: 001-39-06-68-49-31
Fax: 011-39-06-686-7561
www.pnac.org
Pope Saint John XXIII National Seminary
558 South Avenue
Weston, MA 02493-2618
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary
100 East Wynnewood Road
Wynnewood, PA 19096-3002
What is Life Like in a Seminary?
Each year, the Office of Vocations provides opportunities to visit seminaries. Finding out what life in a seminary is really like is a big help in discerning one’s vocation.
Annual Catholic High School Students visit to the Mount
What’s it like to be seminarian? All Catholic High School juniors and seniors are invited to join us to visit Mount St. Mary’s Seminary. It’s a great chance to find out what a day in the life of a seminarian is like.
Annual Visit to St. Charles College Seminary
Each year, a group of men visits St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in
Philadelphia. Get your questions answered about seminary from seminarians.
Contact Vocations with questions or to register for any visit.
Other Opportunities
If you cannot make scheduled visits or would like more information on visiting seminaries, please email Vocations. Arrangements can be made for private visits and tours.
