The experience of a vocation

"The experience of a vocation is unique and indescribable, and is only perceived as a gentle breeze of the clarifying touch of grace. A vocation is a breathing of the Holy Spirit, who, at the same time as he genuinely shapes our fragile human realities, shines a new light into our hearts. The Spirit instills an extraordinary power that merges our existence into the divine enterprise."

Pope John Paul II

from the vocations page of
the Archdiocese for the Military Services USA

"The first and foremost thing a Catholic chaplain in any branch of the service needs is a deep passion for Catholicism and a strong desire to bring that faith and the sacraments to the people and families in the military. You must also have a love for the priesthood and ministry.

"In the service, our work is very much a ministry of presence, a real 24-hour job. One of the unique qualities of being a priest in the military is that this is such a large piece of the vineyard in which to get your hands dirty. There are no boundaries that delineate where your ministry should begin or end. You can be as creative as you want and use your gifts and talents every day."

Fr. Michael Biewend, USAF

"There are a number of special summer programs for young men in Catholic seminaries who wish to explore a call to serve as a military chaplain." Click here for more information



"A Catholic priest seeking to serve in the US military as a chaplain, whether on active duty, the Reserve or in the National Guard, or to serve as a chaplain at a VA facility, must first obtain written permission from his Ordinary or Religious Superior." Click here for more information.