Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mision entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. From the moment of Jesus' conception in the womb of Mary until his Resurrection, he was filled with the Holy Spirit.  In biblical language, he was anointed by the Holy Spirit and thus established by God the Father as our high priest. As Risen Lord, he remains our high priest. . . . While all the baptized share in Christ's priesthood, the ministerial priesthood shares this through the Sacrament of Holy Orders in a special way.  (Catechism of the Catholic Church Article 6; United States Catholic Catechism for Adults)
 

The Call

God calls each person to a particular vocation or means of service.  For many, the call is to marriage and parenthood.  Some may be called to single life or life as a consecrated virgin.  Others He calls to service as religious brothers or sisters.  Still others He calls to the permanent diaconate or the priesthood, sacraments of Holy Orders.  These calls may come at different points in life. 

Some priests recall being aware at an early age of the call to the priesthood.  Others God may not call until they are in their 20's, 30's or later in life.  Awareness of the Call may be a stirring in the man's heart or a little voice in the heart (1 Sam 3).  It may be through encounters with good and holy priests and a desire to serve and experience the same joy.  It may be someone else notices something about the man and asks 'have you ever considered the priesthood?'. 

What is important to recognize is a desire to serve God as He desires.  Men are selected by God for the priesthood, whether it be diocesan or in a religious order.  Exploring the possibility of becoming a priest is not a committment, it is instead a desire to determine if there is a call from God to Holy Orders.  It takes several years of prayer and discernment to know.  

Important steps in discernment include an active prayer life, regular reception of the Sacraments, and regular meetings with someone to help in discernment, such as a priest or spiritual director.  If you are feeling God may be calling you, please contact Fr. Tim Daniel through the parish office or danielt@adw.org.  In the words of Jesus and St. Pope John Paul II, "Be Not Afraid".

The Office of Vocations of the Archdiocese of Washington regularly sponsors events for men discerning the priesthood including Quo Vadis Camp and tours for high school men, and dinners and days/weekends of reflection for college aged and older men.  Information regarding events and discernment resources are available at DCPriest.org.  
 

Parish support for Vocations

We are a parish that prays for priests, deacons and religious, for those He is calling and for those discerning His call.  The parish prayer for vocations may be found below.  Each Lent, parishioners are encouraged to select the name of a seminarian from the "Vocations Tree" to pray for daily.  Anyone interested in helping to promote and/or support those in our parish discerning God's call to the priesthood or religious life should contact ministry@ascensionbowie.org.
 

Mother Teresa Vocations Society

We also encourage everyone to become members of the Mother Teresa Vocations Society (MTVS).  There are no dues or commitments other than the promise to pray for priests, religious and those discerning.  MTVS also sponsors mornings and evenings of recollection during the year free of charge to any who wish to attend.
 

Parish Prayer for Vocations