Welcome to our Vocations pages

I hope that all our visitors will find these Vocations pages helpful, whatever your own vocation in life. Here you will find information, useful contacts, prayers and reflections, but also the encouragement and reassurance you need to take the next step in discovering your personal vocation. Take a look at what is going on in the Diocese and beyond, and let the journey begin.

2006 was a particularly significant year for me, a year of celebration of my Golden Jubilee of Ordination to the Priesthood. I look back with great gratitude to God for all the graces he has given me over the past fifty years, for the love and encouragement of my parents and family, and for the way so many faithful people have helped and been an example to me. The Priesthood is indeed a wonderful life.

Cardinal’s homily at the Chrism Mass in Westminster Cathedral, Holy Week 2006

On Sunday 7th May 2006, the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Pope Benedict spoke from the window of his study to pilgrims gathered in St Peter’s Square. He expressed his joy at having recently ordained fifteen priests in the Vatican Basilica.

“Christian vocation is the renewal of the personal friendship with Jesus Christ, which gives full meaning to one’s existence and makes it receptive to the Kingdom of God. The Church lives off this friendship, nourished by the Word and by the Sacraments, holy truths especially entrusted to the ministry of bishops, priests and deacons consecrated by the Sacrament of Holy Orders.”

“For this reason the priest’s mission is irreplaceable; and although in some areas there is a lack of clergy, it must not be doubted that God continues to call boys, young men and adults to leave everything and dedicate themselves to preaching the Gospel and to pastoral ministry.”

“Another special way to follow Christ is the vocation to consecrated life, expressed through an existence of poverty, chastity and obedience, entirely dedicated to God in contemplation and prayer, while serving our brothers and sisters, especially the weakest and poorest.”

“Christian marriage is also and to all effects a vocation to sanctity, and the example of saintly parents is the primary condition favouring the growth of religious and priestly vocations.”