Encounter Grow Witness podcast breaks open the Year of Prayer for Priestly Vocations. Starting this June 4th, the Archdiocese of Detroit will pray together for the men God is calling to serve us as priests. In preparation, your hosts Fr. Steve Pullis and Beth Spizarny welcome Fr. Craig Giera, Director of Priestly Vocations. He shares what the diocesan priesthood is, how a young man can discern his vocation, and the path to the seminary. This episode closes with practical and powerful ideas for the laity to help support vocations to the priesthood. Take a listen!

(00:04) Fr. Steve Pullis invites you to Encounter Grow Witness and welcomes his co-host Beth Spizarny. Men of the Hearts host, and Director of Priestly of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Detroit, Fr. Craig Giera is welcomed onto the show. The hosts and guest discuss ideal summer vacations which include camping and backpacking.

(06:30) “What is a vocation director?” Fr. Craig shares that his job is to walk with men to help them discern what God’s plan is for him. “It’s simple; what is God doing in prayer?” Men ranging from high school to post-college contact Fr. Craig to discuss a possible priestly vocation. “What do you look for in candidates?” Prayerfulness. “A man who is seeking truth will get in the habit of praying.” And also a heart of service: are you engaged at your parish, or local ministry?

(15:05) “What’s the difference between diocesan priesthood and a religious order?” Fr. Craig explains that religious life is typically lived within a community , with a shared charism. Religious people take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. As a diocesan priest, men make promises to the bishop, and typically live alone in the parish rectory.

(16:10) “What are the steps to joining the seminary?” As Director of Priestly Vocations, Fr. Craig helps men discern if God is calling them to the priesthood. Beginning with interest to the process of applying to the seminary, Fr. Craig describes how a man would come to understand if God is calling him to discern the priesthood by joining the seminary. Fr. Craig tells us that there are no men being ordained to the priesthood this year; in 10 years there will be half the number of priests in the Archdiocese of Detroit.

(25:00) The Year of Prayer for Priestly Vocation will begin at the Vigil of Pentecost, June 4th, the ordinary day for priestly ordinations for the Archdiocese of Detroit. A Holy Hour will be held to pray for courage and conviction for the men God is calling to be priests in the Archdiocese of Detroit.

(28:50) “The Blessed Mother is the surest way to Jesus Christ.” Fr. Craig shares practical ways to support priestly vocations. Fr. Craig notes that the Luminous Mysteries are a powerful way to pray for vocations. “It was the Blessed Mother who noticed that the wine ran out at the wedding at Cana. And she notices now that we need more priests.” Detroitpriestlyvocations.com has many other practical suggestions to support priestly vocations. Thanks for listening.