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Welcome

​Welcome to the website for the Office of Priestly Vocations of the Diocese of Grand Rapids, MI. This year twenty-five men from our diocese will be in seminary formation programs in preparation for ordination, seven of whom are new to formation. Thirteen of these men are at St. John Vianney College Seminary and twelve are at USML/Mundelein Seminary.

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616-288-0910
360 Division Ave. S. Grand Rapids, MI 49503

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What is Seminary?

Learn more about a day in the life.

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"The priest continues [Christ's] work of redemption on earth." - St. John Vianney

This year 21 men from our diocese are in seminary formation programs in preparation for priestly ministry. Is God calling you to join them?

Each young man in formation is open to how God is calling them to grow and mature in preparation for the life of priesthood. They are men who enjoy life to the fullest.

If you believe you have heard God calling you to become a priest, like the prophet Samuel (1 Sam. 3:1-10) or the apostle Andrew (John 1:31-40), don’t ignore it. Instead bring it to prayer and reflect on what this special invitation might mean for you.

Questions you might consider in prayer include:

  • Am I willing to serve God with a generous heart?
  • When I hear the Word of God, do I want to share it with others?
  • Is the desire to be a priest something that I keep feeling in my heart over and over again?
  • Do I have a deep love and reverence for the holy Eucharist and the sacraments of the Church?
  • Have others encouraged me to consider the priesthood?
  • What are the qualities of priests I admire?
  • Can I picture myself as a priest, who is called to serve God’s people?

If you feel that everything said here describes you and your life, contact Director of Priestly Vocations Rev. Stephen J. Durkee to learn more.

Bishop Walkowiak encourages us to pray for vocations

“Prayer is a radical activity.  What we cannot accomplish, God can and will. But we must ask. We must continue to pray for priests who will be heralds of the Gospel and ministers of the new Evangelization” (Homily from Mass of Ordination, 2019). 

Learn more about Bishop Walkowiak and his ministry to the diocese of Grand Rapids.

Fr. Stephen's Scoreboard

A blog from the Office of Vocations

The Priest is the lover of souls

November 2024 by Fr. Rob Mulderink   Since this is my first time writing this column,…

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Introducing our Diocese’s New Seminarians

October 2024 – Vocations column by Father Durkee Introducing our Diocese’s new seminarians The young…

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Finding the ‘C-suite’ spot in my ministry as a parish pastor

October 2024 By Father Stephen Durkee “Father, I wish you didn’t have to worry about…

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Embarking on a new assignment: Fr. Nolan returns to SJV Seminary

July-August 2024By Father Scott NolanReceiving the message from Bishop Walkowiak that I had been asked…

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