Vocations
What is a Vocation?
A vocation is how God calls us to love, follow and serve Him in our lives. Everyone is called to a life of holiness, but the different vocations are the ways we could be called to live. There are four main vocations in the Catholic Church: marriage, priesthood, consecrated life, and
single life.
What is Discernment?
Discernment is the process of prayerfully discovering what God's will is for our lives. It is an essential part of coming to know our vocation. Do you have questions about vocational discernment? Check out our resources or contact our vocations director Fr. Thomas Lugge.
Vocation Events
Priesthood Discernment Groups
The Diocese invites high school and young adult men to take part in priestly discernment groups for those open to exploring whether God may be calling them to the diocesan priesthood. These groups are designed for men who are curious, unsure, or simply want a space to listen for God’s voice—not just for those who feel “certain” about becoming a priest. Discernment groups offer a relaxed and supportive environment to grow in faith, ask honest questions, and learn how to recognize God’s call in your life. Gatherings typically include prayer, reflection, conversation with other young men, and guidance from priests. There is no pressure or commitment—just an opportunity to seek clarity, deepen your relationship with Christ, and take the next right step, whatever that may be. Men at any stage of discernment are welcome.
For more information or to join a group, please contact the leader at the location nearest you:
O'Fallon: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Murphysboro: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Germantown: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Olney: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Monastic Vocation Discernment Weekend - St. Meinrad Benedictine Monks
If you are a single man between the ages of 20 to 40 and are interested in exploring a monastic vocation, consider attending this vocation discernment weekend to explore aspects of Benedictine monastic life. Contact director of Monastery Vocations, Fr. Simon Herrmann, OSB at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 812-357-6611 for more information or to register for the weekend.
Dates: August 28-30, 2026
Location: St. Meinrad Archabbey (200 Hill Drive, St Meinrad, IN 47577)
Discernment 101 - Daughters of St. Paul
Single young women ages 16-33 are invited to join the Daughters of St. Paul and other young women discerners for these Saturday morning talks, prayer, and fellowship explore God’s will for your life! Sessions include a talk on discernment, small group sharing, and prayer. The talks are recorded and shared afterwards along with guides for prayer and reflection. If you live near, St. Louis, MO, contact the sisters at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out about attending in-person!
Fall 2026 Dates: Sept. 26, Oct. 17, Nov. 14, Dec. 19
For more information and to register: https://connect.pauline.org/discernment-101/
Online Discernment Retreat - Daughters of St. Paul
“Come to Me, all of you” (Matthew 11:28). Single young women ages 18-30 discerning a vocation to the religious life are invited to join this virtual weekend discernment retreat that includes: shared prayer, guides for personal prayer, conferences on discernment, small group sharing, experience of the life and mission of the Daughters of St. Paul, and more.
Dates: October 2-4, 2026
For more information and to register: https://connect.pauline.org/vocation-events/
Questions? Contact Sr. Bethany at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Come & See Weekends - Trappist Cistercian Nuns
Trying to open your heart to God’s will for your life? Pondering the possibility of religious life? Open to learning about the contemplative monastic life? Intrigued by the Trappist Cistercian vocation? Or maybe it’s merely that a friend is encouraging you to give it try! Well, as Jesus Himself says, “Come and See!” Enter into the Sisters' prayer, experience their joy, and rest in the sacramentality of Our of Lady of the Mississippi Abbey. Be immersed for the weekend in the Cistercian way of following Christ. Come & See weekends include: Liturgy of the Hours & Eucharist, silence & solitude, conversation & accompaniment, questions & answers, and prayer & reflection. Open to single Catholic (or in the process of becoming Catholic) women ages 18-40.
Dates: October 16-18, 2026
Location: 8400 Abbey Hill Lane, Dubuque, Iowa 52003
Email Sr. Madeleine, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or click here for more information.
Online Evening Prayer - School Sisters of Notre Dame
Young adults are invited to pray online with the School Sisters of Notre Dame and other young adults from across the U.S. and Canada at 7 p.m. CT on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Participants will experience evening prayer in the rhythm of the Liturgy of the Hours with additional time for faith sharing in small groups, online prayer typically lasts about an hour. Learn more and register at ssnd.org/events/.
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