Vocations Office
Frequently Asked Questions

If I am interested in being a Diocesan Priest, should I call St. Augustine’s Seminary or contact the Vocation Director first? If you believe you may have a “calling” to diocesan priesthood, you should contact the Vocation Director who will be able to help with your discernment journey and provide clarification to the questions you may have. To reach the Director of Vocations contact the Office at 416-968-0997 or email us at: vocations@vocations.ca, or visit our web site at: www.vocationstoronto.ca.

I have heard that there is a discernment house in Toronto, for young men who are thinking of diocesan priesthood. Could you tell me more about this house? The place you are referring to is called “SERRA HOUSE”. The Archdiocese of Toronto established Serra House in 1983 as a place of reflection and discernment for men considering a vocation to the priesthood. Serra House offers a unique pre-seminary experience, which fosters human and spiritual growth, in the company of other men who are likewise considering a vocation. Over the years, our Archdiocese has been blessed with many vocations, which have flourished with the assistance of Serra House. If you want to know more about Serra House, please click here.

I am interested in Missionary work: would the Vocations Office be able to help me? Yes. The Vocations Office will be able to provide you with those individuals who specialize in this important ministry.

I am a young Catholic lady, who is interested in Religious life, but I am not sure which religious order is right for me. Can the Vocations Office help me with my discernment? Yes. We are able to provide you with Religious Vocation Directors who could help you with your discernment. For more information on the various Religious communities ministering the Church go to: www.vocations.ca.

I am a Catholic teacher who recognizes the importance of promoting Vocations in my Classroom and School. Can the Vocations Office help me in this promotion? Yes. We may be able to help you by providing suggestions, vocational material, or personal visits to your class or school by the Vocation director (or representative of the Office).

I am a catholic who does not have a “calling” to religious life, but I am concerned with the lack of priest and religious in our church. I want to help in the promotion of Vocations. Can the Office guide me in my search to help? Yes. We are able to guide you to Serra International – a lay association that prays and promotes Vocations in the Church. We are also able to suggest initiatives that can be implemented in your local parish, with the pastor’s consent – i.e. the traveling chalice program.

I am a Married catholic man and have heard that there is a special ministry call “Diaconate”. Can you tell me more about this? Yes. The Catholic church has the Permanent Deacon; this is an Ordained ministers in the church, that helps in the care and support of its members (mainly in the marginalized of our society). To learn more about this important ministry contact Deacon Bert Cambre – Director of Deacons - #416-934-0606 ext. 304, or visit their web site at: www.torontodiaconate.net.

I am currently in high school, and although people keep on saying to me that I am still to young, I believe that God is calling me to the Priesthood and I want to know how I can confirm and prepare for this Vocation. Will the Office of Vocations be able to help me now? Yes. There are a number of ways that a young man can begin to confirm his vocation to priesthood; the discernment process does not begin at the Seminary but hopefully many years before the individual begin his formation at St. Augustine’s Seminary. You are not “to young” to call the Vocations Director “now”. If you are interested in knowing the requirements for entering the Seminary, visit our web site at: www.staugustines.on.ca.

I am thinking of a religious life in the church, but I am afraid to let my family, friends, or pastor know. If I contact your Office, can there be some form of confidentiality in our conversations? Yes. We will respect your wishes for confidentiality. The discernment process is unique to each individual. Although, some individuals may feel fee to let everyone know that they are discerning a religious vocation, others wish to keep it confidential until there is substantial confirmation that the “calling” is real.

I am thinking of Priesthood and need a spiritual director. However, I do not want to use my Parish Pastor or his Associate as a spiritual director. Would you be able to help me find a Spiritual director? Can the Vocation Director by my Spiritual director? Yes. We are able to help you find a spiritual director who will be able to help you in your discernment journey – we will try to find someone who is able to meet your needs (i.e. location). And no. The Vocation director does not act as a spiritual director for anyone who is considering a vocation to the religious life – there is a conflict of interest if the Vocation director is called to evaluate a “calling” and also be a spiritual director.