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.
"Here I am, send me." (Is 6:8)
Ordination to the priesthood is always a call and a gift from God. Christ reminded his Apostles that they needed to ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into the harvest. Those who seek priesthood respond generously to God's call using the words of the prophet, "Here I am, send me" (Is 6:8). This call from God can be recognized and understood from the daily signs that disclose his will to those in charge of discerning the vocation of the candidate.
In the Archidioce of Miami The Vocations Office helps increase vocation awareness throughout the Archdiocese of Miami by encouraging people to seek God's will in their lives and to consider the possibility of priesthood or religious life.
Discernment groups and seminary retreats are sponsored throughout the year to help individuals who are contemplating a Church vocation. This office plays an important role in helping and assessing those who are making application to the Archdiocese of Miami for priesthood formation.
Currently the Archdiocese of Miami has 64 seminarians who are studying at St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami, Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary in Hialeah and St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach. For more information on the seminaries, click here.