My path to the priesthood was anything but straight
Fr Tom Wilson, Director of Vocations, Archdiocese of Minneapolis/St Paul

Greetings in Christ Jesus! My path to the priesthood was anything but straight. I grew up in a Catholic family, the youngest of eight children. I remember being oppressed, but my siblings recall me being spoiled. We’ll let the historians decide that one. Although I first had ideas about becoming a priest as a child, and had them more seriously as a high school student at Hill-Murray, my life took many different directions before I finally decided to follow God’s call and become a priest. Like many others, I had the thought that I was not holy enough, not outgoing enough to speak in front of people, and did not have the gifts needed to be a good priest. So I took the path that seemed right and seemed like God wanted me to take. I studied accounting in college at the University . . . more

My World Youth Day pilgrimage to Rome and Pope John Paul II
Sr. Malina Zachman, OP, Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia

The Lord’s call did not come in the form of a loud, audible voice but in a quiet, steady tug on my heart that persisted despite my many attempts to brush it aside. Undoubtedly God opened me up to His will through the grace of staying close to the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation, as well as through my pilgrimage to Rome in the Jubilee year for World Youth Day. Our late Holy Father, John Paul II, was also instrumental in my vocation, as his own life was a living testimony to me of total, selfless love.

My response to this tugging took time, however; four years of college including a semester studying in Rome. It was only gradually that I matured in understanding of the gift of Religious life in the Church and the beauty of giving oneself to the Divine . . . more

First time I saw Sisters in habits
Sr. Mara Lester, RSM, Religious Sisters of Mercy

It is God who calls, and we who respond. My vocation has similar threads as with other persons, but when it is actually YOU, it is completely unique, exciting, and something to behold!

I slowly became involved in the Church, the Sacraments, and prayer after a slight hiatus in my youth. There was something not completely tangible, which beckoned for me to pursue this relationship with God, and it eventually led to the knowledge of a religious vocation.

Before my senior year of High School I went to a vocations camp hosted by the Duluth Diocese. It was the first time I had ever seen sisters in habit and was quite startling. It was even more startling when I found out that one sister was a doctor. Ever since I was young I had consistently been led toward the track of . . . more

Their faces shone! I wanted that joy
Br. Isaac Spinharney, CFR, Franciscan Friars of the Renewal

There was never a time when I did not believe in God, I just didn’t want Him to control my life. Wanting to find my own “way” in life, I bought into the lies of our culture and sought happiness and fulfillment through various types of selfish excess. But years of this lifestyle only rendered me tired, depressed, empty, and purposeless. I knew God created me and had a plan for me and I began to desire to know that plan. Through the encouragement of my parents, I began to seek the Lord in prayer and the sacraments and He granted me a life-changing conversion.

Almost immediately, the Lord placed on my heart a desire to do foreign missionary work and within a matter of weeks I was living in Mexico, discovering my faith and sharing it with others. As I shared my . . . more

True peace as a contemplative
Sr. Maria Francesca, PCPA, Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration

Ave Maria!

“How did you know?” is one of the most common questions when discussing vocations. The response I always got when I asked it myself was, “You just know.” It can be a difficult and confusing time trying
to figure out what God wants of you; there are so many decisions in each day. And then to think in terms of the rest of your life!

I wasn’t really open to a religious vocation until my first year at college. During that time the Lord placed the right people and events in my path that helped open my heart to His call. I have heard many a time that God places the desires in the depths of your heart only to fulfill them.

When I first heard of the contemplative life, I thought it was the most beautiful vocation. . . . more

Sisters who changed my life at the Institute for Religious
Sr. Mary Kathleen Roth, SCMC, Sister of Charity of Our Lady Mother of the Church

My Second Grade teacher, Mrs. Allard, had instilled in me a deep Faith in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. When I received Jesus in my First Holy Communion, I experienced an inward Call from Him to be His, but I didn’t know at the time that He would one day call me to be His bride in religious life.

It wasn’t until after college that I found I was yearning for “something more” in my life. I started praying fervently to Our Lady to direct my life and help me to find God’s peace. Shortly after my novenas to her, I attended the Life in the Spirit Seminar (a weekend retreat for young adults). This retreat had a profound effect on me and changed my life completely. I had finally found the One whom I had been searching for. I started . . . more

The Lord who is mighty has done great things for me
Br. Samuel Medley, SOLT, Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity

If you asked me when I was a kid what I thought a happy life would be, I don't think I would say to become a Religious missionary. Yet it is impossible for me to express in human words how happy, peaceful, adventurous, exciting, fulfilled, and satisfying my life is as a Religious missionary. I can truly say with Mother Mary, "the Lord who is mighty has done great things for me" (Lk 1:49).
I was born in Minneapolis where I went to school, graduating from the University of Minnesota. In college, I had a plan to settle down, get married, have kids, and a job. Then something happened. I experienced a real living encounter with the person of Jesus Christ, who is very much alive and very much wants to be with me.

I began to discover Christ in the Mass, Rosary, Confession, Scriptures, . . . more