Holy Orders & Vocations
“Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”
- 1 Samuel 3:10
That is where every vocation begins.
Essential to the Life of the Church
The priesthood is uniquely necessary to the life of the Church.
Without priests, there is no Eucharist.
Without the Eucharist, the Church cannot live.
Through the Sacrament of Holy Orders, a priest acts in the person of Christ, offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, forgiving sins, anointing the sick, and shepherding God’s people.
The priesthood exists:
• for the worship of God
• for the salvation of souls
• for the building up of the Church
A priest is given to the Church, not taken from it.
A call, not a career
The priesthood is not chosen for status, security, or fulfilment.
It is a call from God, discerned slowly and freely.
No one should seek the priesthood unless God is calling and no one should ever be pressured into believing that He is.
Discerning a call to the priesthood
A vocation to the priesthood often begins quietly, through:
• a love for the Mass and the Eucharist
• a desire to serve God’s people
• a sense that God may be asking for more
• a question that does not go away
Uncertainty and hesitation are normal.
Certainty usually comes after discernment, not before.
Exploring this question does not commit someone to seminary or ordination.
It is simply an act of honest listening.
A Ministry of Service
The diaconate is a ministry of service, charity, and the Word.
Deacons assist in the Church’s liturgy, preach the Gospel, and serve especially in works of charity and pastoral care.
There are two forms of the diaconate:
• Transitional deacons, preparing for the priesthood
• Permanent deacons, who may be married and remain deacons for life
Discerning the diaconate
Men discerning the permanent diaconate are often:
• mature in faith
• active in parish life
• drawn to service and pastoral care
Discernment takes place with the Church, the Diocese, and where applicable the man’s wife and family.
As with all vocations, this process respects freedom and unfolds over time.
A Consecrated Way of Life
Religious life is a vocation in which men or women dedicate themselves entirely to God through:
• vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience
• community life
• prayer and service
Religious sisters, brothers, and priests serve the Church in many ways, including teaching, healthcare, prayer, and missionary work.
Discerning religious life
A call to religious life may include:
• a desire for deeper prayer
• attraction to community life
• a longing to give one’s life wholly to God
There are many religious communities, each with its own charism and way of life.
Discernment usually begins with conversation and prayer, not commitment.
Discerning God’s Call Without Pressure
The Church is clear: a vocation must be freely discerned.
Pressure, manipulation, or expectation have no place in vocation discernment.
Asking the question:
• does not bind you to an answer
• does not obligate a future decision
• does not mean the call is genuine
It simply means listening honestly to God.
Biblical Foundations of Holy Orders
• Deuteronomy 18:1-5
• Psalm 110:1-4
• Matthew 10:1-4
• Mark 3:14-19
• Luke 6:12-16
• John 13:1-14
• Romans 12:1-8
• 1 Timothy 3:1-13
• Titus 1:5-9
• Hebrews 4:14-5:10
Begin with Prayer and Conversation
If you are wondering whether God may be calling you to the priesthood, diaconate, or religious life, the first step is simple:
pray, and talk to someone.
You may wish to:
• speak with a priest
• speak with a deacon
• spend time before the Blessed Sacrament
• attend Mass faithfully
• ask God honestly what He desires for your life
If You Would Like to Talk
If you are:
• quietly wondering whether God is calling you
• feeling drawn but uncertain
• returning to the faith and sensing a deeper call
You are very welcome to speak in confidence.
There is no pressure, no expectation, and no obligation.
You can reach out to the Parish Office or any member of the clergy at any time. Click here to get in touch.
More information about the various vocations that God creates us for can also be found on the vocations page on the Diocese of Nottingham website, including information about the permanent diaconate and diocesan priesthood and contact details for the Vocations Director.