Northampton: 18 men gather to discern a possible call to priesthood

The group at St Augustine's in Milton Keynes.

Source: Diocese of Northampton

Eighteen men considering whether God may be calling them to the priesthood have gathered for a day of prayer, conversation and discernment in Milton Keynes.

The Vocations Discernment Day, organised by the Diocese of Northampton's Vocations Director, Fr Pius Amoako, yesterday, brought together men from across the Diocese at St Augustine's Catholic Church in Milton Keynes.

The day was an opportunity for the men to step away from the pressures and distractions of everyday life and take time to consider a simple but important question: What is God calling me to do?

They were accompanied by five priests, two seminarians and a deacon, who were able to share their own experiences of vocation and priestly ministry, answer questions and offer encouragement to those beginning to explore the possibility of a priestly vocation.

The day began at 10am and included time for prayer, reflection, conversation and fellowship. It ended with Eucharistic Adoration, giving the men an opportunity to bring their questions and hopes before Christ in prayer.

For Fr Pius, the joy of the day was seeing so many men willing to take seriously the possibility that God might be calling them.

"It was a really wonderful day, and I was so pleased to see 18 men willing to give their time to come along and explore where God might be leading them," said Fr Pius Amoako, Diocesan Vocations Director.

"Discernment is not about having all the answers straight away. It is about being open to God, taking time to pray, to ask questions and to listen. For some of these men, that may eventually lead to the seminary and priesthood; for others, God may be calling them to something else.

"What matters is that they are giving themselves the opportunity to listen to the Lord and to take that next step. It was a real privilege for us to accompany them on that journey."

The Diocese of Northampton continues to encourage men who are wondering whether they may have a vocation to priesthood to take the first step by speaking to someone about their questions and beginning a journey of discernment.

As the 18 men continue to reflect on the day, the Diocese is asking Catholics to pray for them and for all those across the Diocese who may be quietly wondering whether God is calling them to serve his Church as priests.

The Diocese of Northampton serves the Catholic community across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire and that part of Berkshire north of the River Thames. For further information about priestly vocations and discernment, please contact the Diocese of Northampton Vocations Director, Fr Pius Amoako by email vocationsdirector@northamptondiocese.org