In the Sacrament of Holy Orders, or Ordination, the priest being ordained vows to lead other Catholics by bringing them the sacraments (especially the Eucharist), by proclaiming the Gospel, and by providing other means to holiness.
The Office of Vocations in the Diocese of Dallas exists to assist prospective candidates who are discerning a priestly vocation in the Church.
All Catholics in virtue of their Baptism are called to share in the common priesthood of Christ by which they sanctify themselves and the world around them. However, some men are called in a special way by Christ to the ordained ministry or the sacramental priesthood, in order to teach, govern, and sanctify the people of God in collaboration with the Bishop of the Diocese and so build up the Church and evangelize the world with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
In his message on the occasion of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Pope Benedict XVI asserted that “The Eucharist is at the center of every Christian community and is the source and summit of the life of the Church.” We need priests because we need the Eucharist. Without priests we do not have the Eucharist. That is, without priests we would be deprived of what essentially defines us. The absence of priests strikes at the very root of who we are as a Eucharistic people. All of us should ask ourselves, “What would it be like if there were no priests.”
Fortunately, Christ continues to call many men to the priesthood and they respond generously with the gift of their whole lives in the service of Christ and His Church. We seek and embrace men of prayer, courage, and a spirit of sacrifice who love the Eucharist and desire to be a powerful force for good in the Church and in the world.
It’s a great time to be a priest! If you are a man who thinks he might have a priestly vocation or if you have any questions about the priesthood we invite you to contact us at the vocations office:
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3725 Blackburn |