Thirteen students begin priesthood studies for Irish dioceses

National Seminary of St Patrick's College, Maynooth, Image: CCO

Source: Irish Catholic Bishops Conference

Thirteen new seminarians have begun their 2025-2026 academic programme and priestly formation for Irish dioceses.

Welcoming the new student intake, Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, chair of the Bishops' Council for Vocations, said, "It is really heartening that thirteen men have started as seminarians in various locations to study on propaedeutic courses. This brings the number of men training for the priesthood for Irish dioceses to 77 in total. We thank God for each of them.

"In recent years, there has been a small but steady number of men beginning their studies for priesthood for Irish dioceses. While this is encouraging, in no way should this trend make us complacent. We need more priests and we must continue to do what we can to promote priestly vocations in families and in our parishes. Firstly, we must believe in the utter need for priests to continue the sanctifying work of Jesus Christ. Without the priest there is no Eucharist, and without the Eucharist there is no Church. We need to pray, but not only to offer a few quick prayers of the faithful, rather to beg the Lord of the Harvest to send us more priests. Then we need to create spaces where young men can explore their vocation in life by first becoming disciples. They need formation and companionship - a nurturing place where they can belong and grow."

"From discipleship particular vocations will emerge. We also need to put resources in place to continually get the message out about the attractiveness of priesthood. In this regard, I thank vocations directors around the country who work hard every day to promote vocations, and the Knights of Saint Columbanus for their continued support. I have no doubt that the numbers going forward will grow, and I am optimistic for the future of priesthood in Ireland," Bishop Cullinan said.

Also welcoming the new seminarians was Father Willie Purcell, National Diocesan Vocations Coordinator, who said, "The thirteen men who are beginning their vocational journey by entering the propaedeutic year demonstrates to the world that God never ceases to call men to diocesan priesthood. I pray that vocations to the priesthood will continue in the coming years. The Church and the faithful need priests. I wish to especially thank all the vocations directors across the country for their work in accompanying those who are discerning a vocation to diocesan priesthood."

The thirteen new seminarians are currently undertaking their Propaedeutic Year in the following locations: the Redemptoris Mater Seminary Dundalk, Archdiocese of Armagh; Royal English College Valladolid, Spain; Royal Scots College Salamanca, Spain; and, the International Seminary of Ars, France. This figure of thirteen brings the total number of seminarians studying for the priesthood for Irish dioceses to 77. See below the list of seminaries and houses of study where students are undertaking their formation.

The Propaedeutic Year is the first of the four mandatory stages of seminary formation. These stages are (i) Propaedeutic; (ii) Discipleship (Philosophical Studies); (iii) Configuration (Theological Studies); (iv) Vocational Synthesis. The Propaedeutic Year takes place in a recognised seminary approved by the Irish Bishops' Conference and the Holy See. "Its principal objective is to provide a solid basis for the spiritual life and nurture a greater self-awareness for spiritual growth" on behalf of the seminarian (cf. Directory for Priestly Formation in Irish Seminaries (2023) #160. This initial year provides an indispensable help to the seminarian on his path of formation towards diocesan priesthood.

Upon completion, the seminarian, with the nomination of his bishop, then applies to a seminary to continue his formation for an Irish diocese.

The following seminaries, and houses of study, indicate where seminarians are currently undertaking their formation for Irish dioceses:

- Saint Patrick's College, Maynooth, Co Kildare
- Pontifical Irish College, Rome
- Redemptoris Mater Seminary, Dundalk, Co Louth
- Royal Scots College, Salamanca, Spain
- Royal English College, Valladolid, Spain
- Pontifical Beda College, Rome
- International Seminary of Ars, France

The National Vocations Office of the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference was responsible for managing the 2023-2024 Year for Vocation to the Diocesan Priesthood. For information on priesthood in Ireland and for contact details for local diocesan vocations directors, please contact info@vocations.ie and see vocations.ie.

Number of seminarians who began their academic programme and priestly formation for Irish dioceses in previous years: 2010: 16 seminarians; 2011: 18 seminarians; 2012: 12 seminarians; 2013: 20 seminarians; 2014: 14 seminarians; 2015: 17 seminarians; 2016: 14 seminarians; 2017: 19 seminarians; 2018: 17 seminarians; 2019: 15 seminarians; 2020: 13 seminarians; 2021: 9 seminarians; 2022: 10 seminarians; 2023: 15 seminarians; 2024: 21 seminarians.