The Archdiocese of Denver has kicked off a new vocations campaign aimed at connecting young men between the ages of 15 and 35 with the possibility of pursuing the priesthood.
This initiative, titled ‘Called By Name,’ encourages parishioners throughout the archdiocese to nominate individuals they believe have the qualities necessary to become priests.
In collaboration with Vianney Vocations, an organization dedicated to supporting vocation efforts within Catholic dioceses since its inception in 2009, this campaign is set to foster a renewed focus on local candidates for the priesthood.
Among the many dioceses working with Vianney Vocations, Denver stands out as one of the leading areas in the U.S. in terms of vocations relative to its size.
However, Archbishop Samuel Aquila has expressed the desire to see an increase in the number of seminarians to serve a growing community.
“Denver is good soil, so we’re really hopeful that there’ll be a lot of fruit from this,” says Chris Kreslins, a senior client manager for Vianney Vocations.
The campaign encourages a shift towards nurturing local candidates rather than relying on recruitment from abroad.
Kreslins acknowledges that the hope is to generate more applications to seminaries, leading to a greater number of priests available to meet the needs of parishes and their congregations.
This initiative comes at a crucial time, as there has been a long-term decline in men pursuing the priesthood in many parts of the world.
While the phenomenon is notable in western countries, regions in Africa and Asia continue to see growth in vocations.
The campaign officially launched on Sunday, with priests across the archdiocese sharing personal vocation stories during their homilies, urging parishioners to consider nominating young men they recognize as potential candidates.
Kreslins elaborates, stating that many young men may need encouragement from their church community, recognizing their faith and suitability for the priesthood.
The experience of discernment can sometimes hinge on the acknowledgment from peers that one possesses qualities important for a religious vocation.
Father Brian Larkin, pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, spoke about his own journey toward the priesthood during a homily, illustrating the importance of personal reflection in the discernment process.
Larkin shared, “When I was wrestling with if God was calling me, my first question wasn’t necessarily the office of priesthood. My question was, ‘God, are you calling me to give you everything?’”
He described the emotional journey he underwent, feeling a strong calling from God that required him to relinquish personal ambitions and dreams, which initially appeared to be a significant sacrifice.
Larkin continued to address the congregation directly, stating, “Maybe some of you are called to the priesthood. Maybe some of you are called to a consecrated life. I don’t know. You are called to a radical love, and I do know that. Every single one of us [is].”
Father Jason Wallace, the archdiocesan director of vocations, echoes these sentiments, noting the growing number of Catholics in the archdiocese and the corresponding need for more vocations to effectively serve the expanding community.
He remarked that the Archdiocese of Denver is actively seeking individuals who will answer the call to serve.
In Larkin’s closing prayers, he emphasized the desire for more priests who embody a deep passion for their faith.
He prayed, “Jesus, we pray for more priests — not just any priests. Only priests [who] will be on fire with the love of God.”
This new campaign represents a significant effort to cultivate local talent for the priesthood and ensure that parishes are well-equipped to minister to their growing populations.
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