RITE OF CANDIDACY FOR HOLY ORDERS
February 11, 2023
On Saturday, February 11, 2023, Bishop Gary Janak, Auxiliary Bishop Of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, presided over the Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders for three of our current seminarians.

The Rite for Admission to Candidacy is an important step for each Seminarian on his journey toward the priesthood. The rite is an opportunity for a Seminarian to express publicly his intention to receive the sacrament of Holy Orders as a deacon, and later as a priest. The Rite of Admission to Candidacy includes three components: the call to candidacy, the candidate's scrutiny, and the candidate's blessing. During the rite, the bishop asks each candidate two questions about his resolve to complete preparations for the priesthood. If the candidate answers these questions affirmatively, he is accepted as a candidate for Holy Orders.

May the Holy Spirit inspire us all to continual prayer for those currently serving in vocations to the priesthood, and for many more to come. 
"Sending Forth" Mass
Sunday, February 12, 2023
The “Sending Forth” of new seminarian, Prashanth Kumar, was celebrated on February 12, 2023, at the 8:00 am Sunday Mass of his home parish, St. Paul. Bishop Gary Janak gave Mr. Kumar a blessing as he begins this new chapter in his life. Mr. Kumar also pledged, before all witnesses present, his dedication to the discernment and formation process he will undergo in order to one day enter the Presbyterate of the Archdiocese of San Antonio.

Please pray for an increase in men who answer the call to the Priesthood.
San Antonio Seminarians
February and March Birthdays
Ottmar Tovar
Birthday: February 14
Third Theology
Joseph Duque
Birthday: March 27
Second Pre-Theology
San Antonio Seminarians
Q&A Video Series
Get to know our Seminarians who celebrated their birthdays recently through a video series called "Seminarian Q&A!"

Meet Ottmar Tovar, a seminarian studying third Theology for the Archdiocese of San Antonio. Home Parish: St. Anthony Mary Claret.

Also meet Joseph Duque, a seminarian in his second year of Pre - Theology for the Archdiocese of San Antonio. Home Parish: Prince of Peace.

We will be continuing this series which provides an opportunity to get to know the Seminarians and other members of the Archdiocese of San Antonio.

To ensure that you stay up to date with everything that we are releasing in the upcoming months, be sure to subscribe to all of our social media accounts. (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube & Spotify)

CULTIVATING VOCATION AWARENESS THROUGH . . .
The Vocation Office strives to be sensitive to the cultural milieu of the Archdiocese on every level of its service to individuals, parishes, schools, campuses and church organizations. 

In the months of February and March, representatives from the Vocation Office, Seminarians and members of the Vocations Committee were invited to speak with parish groups, Catholic school groups, and Knights of Columbus groups:

  • 02-14-23 Festival of Charisms at Oblate School of Theology
  • 02-14-23 St. Mary Magdalene Vocation Presentation
  • 02-15-23 Campus Ministry SAC - Picnic & Parables
  • 02-22-23 Campus Ministry ASH Wednesday
  • 02-23-23 St. Pius X School 8th grade visit to Assumption Seminary
  • 03-02-23 Melchizedek Project at Discernment House
  • 03-04-23 Lay Vocation Promoters Formation day at Assumption Seminary
  • 03-15-23 Campus Ministry SAC - Picnic & Parables
  • 03-22-23 Notre Dame parish - Vocation Presentation

The Vocation Office would like to express its gratitude to all the groups who invited us, for your devotion to the Church and your willingness to prayerfully guide your parishes and schools in establishing a culture of vocations.
DISCERNMENT HOUSE
Spring 2023
The Discernment House program continues to accompany men discerning priesthood for the Archdiocese of San Antonio. They lead an intense life of prayer, study and work, as they discern God's calling in their daily lives.

Within the discerners' formation, Bishop Gary Janak, Sr. Ana Cecilia Montalvo, FSpS, Archbishop Gustavo and Priests accompany them through a series of talks and classes.

Please keep these men and all those in discernment in your prayers.
To guide you throughout the season, Bishop Gary Janak prepared and recorded Lenten Reflection series to help your spiritual journey this Lent. 

We are posting these reflections on our SA Vocations social media platforms, and will continue posting every Sunday of Lent, so please be on the lookout, and as always... "like, comment and share."

God brings us new life through Christ. Let us open ourselves to His forgiveness and mercy. Watch Bishop Gary’s reflection for the 5th Week of Lent here.
HOLY THURSDAY; PRIESTLY THURSDAY
The significance of Holy Thursday

On Holy Thursday we celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. During this beautiful celebration, the Church recalls the Last Supper, in which Jesus loves His own to the end and offers His body and blood to the apostles under the form of bread and wine. This Holy Night, Jesus gives us the Church and institutes the Sacraments of the Holy Eucharist and the Priesthood (Holy Orders).

As Vocation Promoters, we invite you to join us each Thursday of the month in prayerful thanksgiving for all of our priests, who give so generously of themselves to the Church and the People of God, and for all those whom God is calling to humble service at the altar of the Church as generous distributors of the Mysteries of God. 

COMING EVENTS AND DISCERNMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Melchizedek Project
First Thursday of the Month
Monthly gatherings for single Catholic Men (18+) who are considering a call to the priesthood. . .

The overarching aim of The Melchizedek Project is to help men hear the call of Jesus Christ and discover their true vocations. The group uses Fr. Brett Brannen’s inspiring book, "To Save a Thousand Souls: A Guide for Discerning a Vocation to Diocesan Priesthood".

Meetings: First Thursday of the month from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Assumption Seminary

For more information about the "Melchizedek Discernment Group", email Vocations@archsa.org.
Lay Vocation Promoters
April 15, 2023
The Vocation Office invites you to come and learn how to promote vocations in your own parish, share new ideas, and get to know lay vocation promoters from other parishes.

This meeting will provide you with a platform to grow in faith and service and to continue to cultivate a deeper understanding of all church vocations, as well as to increase support for vocations across the Archdiocese. Please join us on Saturday, April 15, 2023, from 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM at Assumption Seminary.
Kindly RSVP below:
LOCATION
Assumption Seminary. 2600 W. Woodlawn Ave.

DATE AND TIME
04/15/23 9:00am

Don't miss this opportunity to learn about the mission we all share of promoting vocations to the priesthood and religious life
Happily Accept
Regretfully Decline
Come & See
April 22-23, 2023
This is an opportunity for Men (18+) to “Come and See” what life in seminary is like, meet other young men who are discerning their call to the priesthood, and spend time in prayer and conversation with our seminarians.

Must be registered to attend.
WOLRD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
Sunday, April 30, 2023
World Day of Prayer for Vocations will be observed on Sunday, April 30th, also known as “Good Shepherd Sunday.” The purpose of this day is to publicly fulfill the Lord’s instruction to “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest” (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2). 

Please pray that more young men hear and respond generously to the Lord’s call to the priesthood and religious life, especially to the Diocesan Priesthood. Do you know a young man who you believe would make a great priest? Tell him! And identify the specific gifts you see in him! Remember that you are the first collaborators with our families in building the culture of vocations in the Archdiocese. Through our combined efforts the Archdiocese is becoming fertile soil, and we have begun to “bring forth fruit with patience.” (Luke 8:15).
Kickball & Clerics
May 10, 2023
The San Antonio Seminarians, in collaboration with the Vocation Office Team, are planning a friendly kickball tournament called “Kickball & Clerics,” to assist in furthering the mission of fostering a culture of vocations in our Archdiocese of San Antonio. It is a community sporting event involving our priests and seminarians of the Archdiocese, scheduled on May 10, 2023, at St. Luke Parish.

We extend the invitation to all as we watch priests and seminarians of the Archdiocese of San Antonio compete. Together we can help cultivate a culture of JOYFUL vocations! Check out our Priests & Seminarians roster & social media for more information.
Nun Run
June 3, 2023
The Nun "Run" is a wonderful event for young single Catholic women, ages 18-40, to let them observe different ways of living religious life. Experience religious life and find out more about different communities and the discernment of consecrated life.

Must be registered to attend.
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ARCHDIOCESAN VOCATION OFFICE
210-735-0553
VOCATIONS@ARCHSA.ORG