Bishop Nicholas Hudson: 'Ask him - sow the seed'

Bishop Hudson at his 40th Jubilee Mass - Image by Ben Davies Native Multimedia

Source: Diocese of Plymouth

Bishop Nicholas Hudson has called on parishioners in the Diocese of Plymouth to ask young men in their parishes if they have ever considered the priesthood. "If you know of a young man in whom you see a potential priest," he writes, "ask him; sow the seed." A simple question could be the first step toward a vocation.

In a Pastoral Letter marking his own 40th Priestly Jubilee and the Jubilee of three other priests in the Diocese, the Bishop of Plymouth, the Right Reverend Nicholas Hudson, invited parishioners to "ask yourselves if you know of a young man in whom you see a potential priest - and, if so, ask him; sow the seed."

The Bishop praised the Diocese's priests, including those from other dioceses and religious congregations, especially priests from the Diocese of Orlu, describing all the Diocese of Plymouth's priests as a "wonderful group of men" whom he admires "for their dedication and steadfast service." The Diocese has "five good men in seminary; and we need more of them," the Bishop said, adding that each one of us should ask, "What more can I do to sow the seed of priesthood in the hearts of young men in my parish?"

Calling parish, school, religious, and university communities the seedbed of vocations, the Bishop said that, "each one of your priests will be here because someone or something sowed in his heart the idea of priesthood and he received the grace to respond." He thanked the priests of the Diocese for saying yes to that call, and entrusted them with a special responsibility, "to ask any young men in your care whom you think might have a calling whether they had ever considered the priesthood."

Reflecting on his own experience, the Bishop said: "I've found diocesan priesthood to be an even more wonderful life than I would ever have imagined," acknowledging that there are crosses - as with all discipleship - but also many consolations, especially the opportunity to accompany through life a "marvellous variety of people" in prison, hospital and home as well as parish and school and chaplaincy.

He also spoke of the Mass as being central to priestly life, citing how "St Mother Theresa used to tell priests they should celebrate every Mass as if it were the first Mass of their lives," and sharing how an elderly priest of the Diocese recently said, "It's been such a wonderful life that I wish I could have it all again!"

To any young man discerning a vocation, the Bishop said, "Come and see" - inviting them to be still before the Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament and ask, 'Is it possible you may be calling me to be a priest too?'"

LINKS

Bishop Hudson's Pastoral Letter: www.plymouth-diocese.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Pastoral-Letter-July-2026.pdf

Pastoral Letter recording: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rli9s20vS9o&feature=youtu.be