Fifteen students begin priesthood training for Irish dioceses
Fifteen new students have begun their training for the priesthood for the academic year 2026 – 2027. In total, there are now 74 seminarians in formation training to minister for Irish dioceses, and these are:
- 15 entering their Propaedeutic Year in various seminaries;
- 51 are studying in the national seminary of Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, and at the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Dundalk; and,
- 8 are based in seminaries on the continent.
Welcoming the new seminarian figures, Bishop Phonsie Cullinan of Waterford and Lismore, who serves as chair of the Council for Vocations of the Bishops’ Conference, said, “The number of those in training for Diocesan priesthood continues to rise. While the increase is modest, it is very encouraging. I believe that young men, and not so young, are discovering the personal love of Jesus Christ for them. They are not satisfied with the emptiness and shallowness of much in the culture around them. In various ways through the Church they are hearing the call to priesthood. Let us encourage them and continue to beg the Lord for all the graces they will need to fan into a flame the spark which has been placed in their hearts and minds.”
Also welcoming the news, Father Willie Purcell, National Vocations Coordinator for Diocesan Priesthood, emphasised the significance of their commitment and generosity, “Even in a secular world, we witness how ordinary lives are shaped in extraordinary ways. The arrival of our new seminarians reminds us that the call to the diocesan priesthood remains vibrant. Their generosity reflects the openness of young men today to hearing and responding to that call, and is a source of great encouragement for the Catholic Church in Ireland.”
The Propaedeutic Year is the first of the four mandatory stages of seminary formation: (i) Propaedeutic; (ii) Discipleship (Philosophical Studies); (iii) Configuration (Theological Studies); and (iv) Vocational Synthesis. This initial year takes place in a recognised seminary approved by the Irish Bishops’ Conference and the Holy See, whose “principal objective is to provide a solid basis for the spiritual life and nurture a greater self-awareness for spiritual growth” on behalf of the seminarian (cf. Directory for Priestly Formation in Irish Seminaries (2023) #160. It provides an indispensable help to the seminarian on his path of formation towards diocesan priesthood. Upon completion the seminarian, with the nomination of his bishop, then applies to a seminary to continue his formation for an Irish diocese.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
- The National Vocations Office of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference was responsible for managing the 2023–2024 Year for Vocation to the Diocesan Priesthood. For information on priesthood in Ireland and for contact details for local diocesan vocations directors, please contact info@vocations.ie and see vocations.ie.
- In recent years, the number of seminarians who began their academic programme and priestly formation for Irish dioceses were: in 2010, 16; in 2011, 18; in 2012, 12; in 2013, 20; in 2014, 14; in 2015, 17; in 2016, 14; in 2017, 19; in 2018, 17; in 2019, 15; in 2020, 13; in 2021, 9; in 2022, 10; in 2023, 15; in 2024, 21; and in 2025 there were 13 seminarians.
In another post earlier this week, I asked His Excellency Bishop Cullinan to investigate why the excommunicated SSPX has a booming Vocations Situation.
The SSPX Ratio: The SSPX operates globally with just 733 priests. Bringing in 68 new seminarians this year means their incoming class is equivalent to 9.2% of their total active clergy.
The Irish Church Ratio: The Irish Catholic Church has approximately 2,100 active or semi-active priests across its 26 dioceses. Bringing in 15 new seminarians means their incoming class represents a minuscule 0.7% of their total active clergy.
Is the Holy Ghost telling us something?