Diocese of Lafayette: Office of Vocations and Seminarians

Help our Seminarians with their Fundamental Foundation Formation!

The journey to the priesthood is a profound, lifelong call; and while the Diocese of Lafayette covers the essential tuition, the full formation of a dedicated shepherd requires much more. Our seminarians need experiences that forge their faith, test their resolve, and deepen their capacity to serve the People of God.

 Your support ensures these men receive the essential, high-impact experiences – the ad extra ("in addition") formation – that shape their hearts and minds for a lifetime of ministry, holiness, and selfless service.

Vital foundational experiences require extra funding:

• Annual 5-Day Retreats: Not just a break, but a necessary spiritual crucible. This time is dedicated to profound, silent encounter with Christ, allowing the Holy Spirit to burn away distractions and anchor their vocation in unwavering faith. This discipline forms the unshakeable core of a holy, prayerful priest. Every seminarian, each year goes on retreat.  Retreats cost $1,000 per seminarian.
• COR Ministry Excursions: Twelve days away from comfort, this is where resolve is tested and a missionary heart is forged. In the wilderness, they learn to rely on God and each other, preparing them for the harsh realities and extraordinary demands of ministering to souls. You are helping to build priests who are courageous, adaptable, and ready to go where they are needed.  These run $3,400 per seminarian.

• Studies Abroad & Spanish Immersion: Equip our future priests to effectively serve our increasingly diverse Catholic community. These experiences foster cultural competency and language skills, ensuring they can welcome and minister to all the faithful with understanding and compassion.  These formation experiences average $5,000 per seminarian.

Your investment is a commitment to the holiness, competence, and compassion of your future priests. Please, help us fund these essential steps in their formation!

SUGGESTED GIFTS & YOUR IMPACT

 

~ A $50 gift goes to cover a seminarian's meals for a day.

 

~ A $75 gift assists with a seminarian's travel to retreats.

 

~ A $125 gift covers the cost for one night of their mandatory annual retreat.

  

~ A $250 gift supports the exceptional wilderness experience for one seminarian.

 

~ A $500 gift assists with the cost of Retreat Registration for one seminarian.