Vocations - CDLEX

OUR PRIMARY VOCATION IS TO BE A SAINT

The first vocation of every baptized person is to become a saint. The Church and Sacred Scripture both tell us clearly and definitively that holiness is everyone’s primary vocation.

Welcome to the Catholic Diocese of Lexington’s Office of Vocations page! As St. Gregory Nazianzen wisely stated, ‘In God’s will is our peace.’ When we align our lives with God’s will, we discover our true purpose and experience a deep sense of fulfillment. The primary goal of the Office of Vocations is to assist you in earnestly listening to God, embracing His will, and attaining His profound peace. Every vocation begins with a call from God—a quiet invitation to give one’s life in love and service. Rooted in baptism, the call to priesthood is a unique and sacred vocation through which Christ continues His mission in the world. Discerning this call is a journey of prayer, listening, formation, and trust, guided by the Church and supported by the community. The priesthood is not simply a role but a lifelong gift of self to God and His people—proclaiming the Gospel, celebrating the sacraments, and shepherding souls. In a world longing for meaning and mercy, the vocation to priesthood is more vital than ever. If you feel God may be calling you, we invite you to take the next step with openness and courage.

Life as a Priest

Priesthood is not only a duty to serve and preach God's word, it's a way of life to grow closer to the community around you. Discover and learn more about the life as a priest.

Becoming a Priest

A journey of discernment, formation, and service. It begins with prayer and guidance, followed by seminary studies, spiritual formation, and hands-on pastoral training — all leading to ordination and a lifetime of serving Christ and His Church.

Man with glasses signs a document on a wooden lectern while another man watches.

Discerning your Vocations

Vocation is about discovering how God is calling you to love. Through prayer, reflection, and guidance, you begin to uncover the path—marriage, religious life, priesthood, or dedicated single life—that leads you to holiness and joy.

Religious Life

God calls each of us to love and serve in a unique way — and for many, that call is lived out through religious life in a men’s or women’s community. These communities offer a beautiful and radical way to devote your entire life to the Lord through prayer, service, and communal living.

For men, this might mean entering a religious order as a brother or priest, living a life of obedience, poverty, and chastity while serving in ministries such as teaching, preaching, healthcare, or missionary work.

For women, it may involve becoming a religious sister or nun, dedicating their lives to Christ through contemplative prayer, active service, or a combination of both — depending on the charism of their community.

Each religious community has its own spiritual focus, known as a charism — whether it’s education, healthcare, evangelization, hospitality, or contemplative prayer. Exploring these different charisms helps you discover where your gifts align with God’s call.

Religious life is not about retreating from the world, but engaging it with deep faith and purpose. If you feel drawn to a life fully given to Christ, consider visiting communities, talking with vocation directors, and praying about whether this path may be yours.

Men's Communities

Women's Communities

Devotion of the Month: the Blessed virgin Mary

The month of May holds a special place in the life of the Church as a time dedicated to honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary. As the Mother of Christ and Mother of the Church, Mary offers every vocation a model of faithful listening, humble trust, and generous surrender to God’s will.

Her “yes” to the Lord changed the course of salvation history. In that same spirit, we are invited to ask how God may be calling each of us to serve Him — whether through priesthood, religious life, holy marriage, or a life of generous discipleship.

For those discerning a vocation, Mary’s example is especially powerful. She did not have every answer before she responded to God’s call. Instead, she trusted, pondered, and followed. Her life reminds us that vocation begins not with certainty, but with openness to grace.

This May, we invite you to draw close to Mary through prayer, the Rosary, and quiet reflection. Ask for her intercession, especially for those discerning the priesthood, religious life, and missionary discipleship. May she help each of us hear the voice of her Son more clearly and respond with courage.

Mary, Mother of Vocations, pray for us.

Upcoming Events

Seminarian Send-off 08/08/2025

The Diocese of Lexington hosted a heartfelt send-off event honoring the dedicated seminarians as they prepare to continue their journey of discernment and formation. Held in a spirit of prayer and community, the gathering brought together clergy, family members, parishioners, and diocesan leaders to celebrate the milestones each seminarian has achieved so far. The event highlighted the personal and spiritual growth of the men who have committed themselves to exploring God’s call to the priesthood, with reflections, blessings, and words of encouragement offered throughout the evening.

The seminarians were each recognized for their unique contributions and progress, whether they are entering their first year of formation or advancing to theology studies. Fr. Marc Bentley, Director of Vocations, addressed the group with words of gratitude and hope, emphasizing the vital role of discernment in the life of the Church and the importance of community support in that process. As they head off to various seminaries across the country, the Diocese sent them forth with prayers and blessings, affirming their journey with confidence and joy. The send-off served as a powerful reminder of the Church’s ongoing commitment to nurturing vocations and fostering a future rooted in faith.