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Dear potential Seminarian,

Welcome to our web page for vocations. I appreciate your interest in our formation program for the Roman Catholic priesthood in the Diocese of Colorado Springs.

Every one has a calling from God, especially those who have been baptized. Vocation has to do with the fact that God has created you for a reason and all people have a mission to fulfill in their lifetime. Some people have not heard and responded to His call. God’s plan for many Catholic men may be a call to serve as a priest.

Our culture has many distractions that have drowned out the voice of God in the hearts of many young people. Yet, two thousand years of Church history teach us that in times of struggle or persecution that is when God pours out an abundance of grace to strengthen the Church. Most of the Church’s greatest Saints emerged in times when the Church faced great trials. The Holy Spirit inspired many wonderful men and women who renewed the Church in such times. Saint John of the Cross, Saint Theresa of Avila, Saint Charles Borromeo, etc…. are all examples of holy reformers. Many great men and women converted times of trial into times of grace and renewal.

The Diocese of Colorado Springs is working and striving to form priests, religious, and laity into saints who are respectful, faithful, and loyal to the Roman Catholic Church, under the guidance of Pope Benedict XVI. We are looking and praying for holy men who will come forward with an apostolic desire for teaching, preaching, and sanctifying the people of God as a priest.

When a young man believes that he is being called to the priesthood there is usually many signs for him to look for. First, it usually begins with a personal desire to be a priest. Evidence of this is expressed in a deep love and need to receive the Eucharist often at Sunday and/or daily Mass. A deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary is also a good sign. Then secondly, there is usually a confirmation from the people of God that indicates that he has a calling to serve God through the Priesthood. For instance, have you ever had anyone tell you that you’d make a good priest?

Some men may enter the seminary with the best intensions and later discover that God is calling them to another kind of holy life. However, the experience of seminary becomes great formation for whatever path they may be called to.

In the diocese of Colorado Springs we are looking for men who have a strong academic background at least from the High School level. Their moral standards must be in accord with Roman Catholic teaching. They must also show respect and obedience to all the Roman Catholic Churches’ authority. If all of the above is in agreement, then there is one more important quality that we look for. That quality is a desire to follow the will of God for the rest of your life, no matter how challenging it could become.

The seminaries we have chosen for our men are for preparation and discernment. They are a place for a man to learn to live in community, share ideas, talk to other men from other dioceses for new ideas, but most of all to pray for direction from God.

Our Bishop has made the commitment to only send our seminarians to houses of formation that are focused on solid Catholic teaching and healthy formation. You will be expected to live a life centered in dedication to the Eucharist, the Holy Father, the Magisterium and all the teachings of the Church.

My job as Vocations Director for the Diocese of Colorado Springs is to help you find your calling from God. Thank you for looking into our diocese and may God abundantly bless you!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Rev. James Williams
Vocations Director
Diocese of Colorado Springs
228 N. Cascade Ave.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Telephone: (719) 866-6477
Email: vocations@diocs.org