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.
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.
Devotion of the Month: The Holy Family
In the Catholic tradition, the month of February is dedicated to the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph — not simply as a sentimental memory of the Christmas story, but as a living model of Christian life and vocation for every family and home.
During this month, the Church invites the faithful to reflect on how the Holy Family embodies the virtues that shape a Christian household: love, obedience, humility, prayer, self-giving, and fidelity to God’s will. In the humble home of Nazareth, Jesus spent most of His life under Mary and Joseph’s care, sanctifying ordinary family life by their example of quiet service and faithful love.
February’s devotion is also rooted in the Church’s liturgical rhythm. The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas) on February 2 — when Mary and Joseph presented the infant Jesus in the Temple — highlights the family’s obedience to God’s law and their role in Jesus’ early life. This feast underscores that the call to holiness begins in the home.
For vocations especially, the example of the Holy Family shows that every Christian vocation — whether to marriage, priesthood, religious life, or lay service — is shaped first by faith lived in community and witness. The domestic life of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph reminds us that all vocations are born in love, lived in fidelity, and offered in service of others.
Throughout February, the Church encourages families and individuals to deepen their prayer life together, seek the intercession of the Holy Family, and strive to imitate their virtues in everyday life, making their own homes “domestic churches” of faith, hope, and charity.
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.
Prayers for Vocation
Seminarian Poster
Are you Ready to discern?
Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv.
Fr. Marc Bentley
Beth Keenan